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First J58 Engine Developed
The J58 was initially developed for the US Navy to power the planned version of the Martin P6M jet flying boat.Upon cancellation of this aircraft, it was selected by Convair and Lockheed for their supersonic projects. The engine was given to the Air Force who used it in the construction of the Blackbird -
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Pre-Flight Age
The construction and enginnerring of the Blackbird before flight in 1964. -
Blackbird Finishes Pre-Flight Testing
On July 30th 1962, the Blackbird finishes pre-flight testing with the J58 engine. -
First Blackbird Finishes Construction
First Blackbird delivered to Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA. -
First Flight of the Blackbird
First flight of the SR-71 with Lockheed test pilot Bob Gilliland at Air Force Plant #42. -
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Mid-Flight Era
The time when Blackbirds were flown more and better. -
Blackbirds Blueprints Destroyed
Lockheed company is ordered to destroy blueprints of the Blackbird in order to keep it completly under-cover. -
First "BigTail" Blackbird Flight
First flight of Blackbird in "Big Tail" configuration. -
The Blacbird Sets Records
The Blackbird sets speed and altitude records (Altitude in Horizontal Flight: 85,068.997 ft (25,929.030 m) and Speed Over a Straight Course: 2,193.167 miles per hour (3,529.560 km/h). -
Blackbird flies 1000th
The Blackbird flies it's 1000h sortie. -
Period: to
End-Flight Era
The time when Blackbirds peaked in usage then nearly ended. -
Blackbird Explodes
Blackbird #16 explodes due to engine failure. This is the last crash and was the first in 17 years. -
Blackbird Program Terminated
The Blackbird is officialy terminated after the April crash and is no longer used. -
Last Blackbird Flight
The last Blackbird flight is conducted cerimoniously by SENIOR CROWN -
Three Blackbirds Reactivated
The Congress give $100 million for the reactiviation of three Blackbirds. -
Officialy Cancelled
The three remaining Blackbirds are cancelled for good.
