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Titanium Goose #06927, the most unique of the Blackbird fleet, was the only two-seat A-12 trainer ever built. The only “Blackbird” that was never painted black .🌟

The first five A-12 aircraft, this being the fourth, were initially flown with J-75 engines, because the A-12 airframe was ready for testing, and the J-58 was bogged down with developmental problems.

These less powerful J75 engines would allow the aircraft to reach a maximum Mach 2, and 60,000 feet.

Once the J-58 was available, all of the A-12 aircraft were upgraded, allowing them to reach a maximum of Mach 3.35 and 95,000 feet, except this one.

Our Titanium Goose kept the J-75 engines through her total time of service, retiring with 1076.4 hours in the air, spanning 614 individual flights, over double that of any other A-12. Once retired, she spent years in storage at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, until August 2003, when she was put on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. She was the last A-12 to be put on display to the public. This is one of a kind once gorgeous airplane desperately needs to be maintained.

Two-seat trainer model nicknamed Titanium Goose. In storage at Air Force Plant #42 for many years, it went on display outside of the California Science Center in Exposition Park in late 2003. The latest photographs I’ve seen show it looks neglected and in need of being refurbished to its previous glory.

photograph by Curt Mason

~Posted by Linda Sheffield

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