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Author
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Topic: Astronauts who flew the SR-71, A-12 or YF-12
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Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-23-2005 02:27 PM
   
Some space buffs might be interested to take a look at Blackbird Flight Crews, a collection of portraits of the A-12, YF-12A and SR-71 crews. |
Steve Smith
Member Posts: 503
From: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 01-29-2005 11:50 AM
Excellent site. Enjoyed much. The Blackbird is near and dear to me as it is one of our featured attractions at Kansas Cosmosphere. An actual plane hangs in the main entrance. A real show stopper. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-27-2010 08:10 PM
I have always liked the SR-71 Blackbird and was wondering if there were any astronauts assigned to the Blackbird BEFORE they joined NASA?Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-27-2010 08:15 PM
James Halsell (STS-65, 74, 83, 94, 101) flew the SR-71 prior to his being selected by NASA with the 1990 class. In fact, Halsell's name is still stenciled on the Blackbird now on display at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-27-2010 08:16 PM
My cousin, who was a suit technician for David Clark Company during the Apollo Block 1 phase, was transfered to the SR-71 program after the Apollo 1 fire.They used David Clark suits on the SR-71 and he was stationed in Thailand with the SR-71's used during Vietnam. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-27-2010 09:52 PM
Jim Irwin was first assigned to test pilot the Mach 3 YF-12A (A-11) in 1961 for the Air Force. |
Roger K
Member Posts: 210
From: Torrance CA
Registered: May 2012
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posted 01-24-2015 09:57 AM
Does anybody know which astronauts flew the SR-71 Blackbird, A-12 and/or YF-12? The only one I am aware of is Col. James D. Halsell.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-03-2015 10:36 AM
That's correct Ken, he was assigned under Col. Ken Chilstrom whom I hope to meet up with in the next week or two. I don't think he got to fly it though, did he? |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 02-03-2015 03:54 PM
Al, just saw this posting of yours, and yes, Irwin did fly the Mach 3 YF-12A as a developmental test pilot, but only a few times. In 1964-65 he was one of the key project officials, but it was mostly a desk/staff/travel position.I think Irwin had been credited with knowing all about the Lockheed interceptor YF-12A (also known as the A-11), even from the very beginning in 1961. Yes, Al, Ken Chilstrom had been Irwin's big boss at the time. The colonel had test flown the F-80 in the days when many test pilots had been lost, and Irwin had always spoke very highly of the "old test pilot school" veteran. I hope your meeting goes well in seeing him this month, Al. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-03-2015 10:02 PM
Ken had a large print of the YF-12 that he gave me, all mildewed, gafarbled and wrinkled. Upon closer inspection Jim had signed it just before he went off to NASA. Ken also flew the first USAF flight of the XP-86, that is now known as the F-86, second flight overall. He's got a lot of firsts, some good, some great, some well... like crashing the XP-59 being the first to crash land a jet fighter. LOL He gave me the kneeboard he wore on the first flight of the XP-86, which was given to him by NAA test pilot Wheaties Welch, who wore it on the first flight overall. A treasured piece. He used to live in PB Gardens, but moved to Alexandria, VA a few years ago. Miss my old pal. |
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