15h
These are pictures of the very first SR-71, the 950. The plane that Robert Gilliland flew on the first flight, December 22, 1964
January 1967, it was burnt up during a test flight of the anti-skid braking system at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The main tires blew out, leading to a massive fire that destroyed the airframe. Test pilot Art Peterson was at the controls and safely evacuated.
Because this was an experimental test flight, the RSO seat was empty. The white circle around the nose was used to keep track of it during early flights.
Linda Sheffield
@Habubrats71 via X
