#oxcart

[usafphantom2]

In 1965, the A-12 was ready for deployment. The CIA wanted the A-12 over China. The Department of Defence needed the A-12 for missions over North Vietnam. Plans were made for the code word “BLACK SHIELD” to go into operation. The A-12s were stationed at Kadena AFB, Okinawa. They would be named the 1129th Special Activities Squadron. They were affectionately nicknamed the Roadrunners

”The most critical event that the Trainer could not prepare you for was the inlet unstarts because it didn’t have spikes (variable geometry inlet) and could not reach Mach 3. Other essential points to make at this juncture: 1- The A-12 did not have aft bypass doors. 2- did not have spike and door position indicators. 3- only had spike/door restart switches. 4- The fuel controls were unreliable. 5- The inlet controls were unreliable. To repeat, everything was very dynamic, changing all the time, usually to the best.” This is a quote by A12 pilot Ken Collins.

I never thought of this before BUT the A12 trainer could not prepare the pilots for the inlet unstart because it didn’t have the correct spikes and door-position indicators, and could not go Mach three!

According to Ken, every A-12 pilot had trouble with un-starts. The unstart problem was passed on to the SR 71 program and was not solved until the 1970s when DEFICS was in place to restart both of the engines.. It was put in place after several SR-71s crashed.

Linda Sheffield

@Habubrats71 via X

[usafphantom2]

SCOPEBARN the last flight of the A-12 article 131

There was fierce competition between the CIA and the Air Force. Both groups felt that their Blackbird was the one that the Air Force should keep flying. The competition continued for many years with the A12 people saying that their airplane was faster than the SR-71 when this is not true. They both have identical engines and the same exact limitations. The budget determined that two fleets of supersonic Mach 3 reconnaissance airplanes were one too many. After participating in a contest called “Nice Girl,” the conclusion was that the SR 71 was superior because it was better equipped. But the victory over the A-12 was marginal as they both had their pros and cons. We must always remember that there would never be an SR-71 without the A-12.

The SR-71 had three different cameras: 1. area search, 2. spotting, and 3; mapping. Also, a superior sensor suite, including IR and radar imaging that could collect electronic signals. Best of all, there was another officer, an RSO (reconnaissance systems officer), in the airplane to help manage the DEF, pronounced “deaf.” This was the all-important electronic defense that was used to spoof the enemy into believing that the airframe was in a different location. Thus, it was impossible to hit their target as they didn’t know where the SR 71 was. The RSO and the Pilot became a team that worked together to achieve their mission in the SR 71. The A-12 did not have an RSO.

The CIA’s A-12s were going to be permanently retired. I am sure the A-12 drivers and their families felt the same remorse as I did when the SR 71 was prematurely canceled in 1989.

Frank Murray was selected to fly the very last flight and the families were allowed to watch. This was the first and only time they were allowed to watch an A-12 in-flight, as the families were gathered near Palmdale. Frank Murray performed two flyby one while climbing in afterburner and one following was a low approach. Very similar to what I saw on March 6, 1990, with the last flight of the SR-71 for the Air Force at Dulles, VA airport. A-12 pilots could share their achievements with no one, they are unsung heroes. They risk their life to help defend our freedom. Article 131 was the A-12 that Frank Murray flew into Palmdale. You can see it in the foreground of this picture of A-12 tightly packed into a building at site two in Palmdale California. The other picture is of Frank Murray, a map of the last flight, and a picture of an A-12 helmet.

My source is the book “Dreamland: The Secret History of Area, 51” by Peter Merlin

This article was written by Linda Sheffield c

@Habubrats71 via X

[kramlabs]

[usafphantom2]

1 May 1965. Lockheed YF-12A 60-6936 taking off from Edwards Air Force Base during speed record trials. The white cross on the aircraft’s underside assisted timers and observers.

@ron_eisele via X

[improbable-rainbows]

Wheel of Sarchí's Fortune by Brice Retailleau on Filckr

Costa Rica, land of bright colors. Sarchi, Costa Rican capital of painted carts. Put the two together and you get the largest painted wheel you can ever imagine. I would have had to stand in Nicaragua to make it entirely fit in the frame. Sort of.

(If you don't understand from the photographer's description: this is the painted wheel of the world's largest oxcart, an attraction in Sarchí, Costa Rica, a city famous for gorgeously painted carts, and also for now going right onto my bucket list.)

[bigglesworld]

Lockheed A-12 Oxcart with D-21 Drone

[kramlabs]

LINK

:

Commentary:

https://eurasiantimes.com/hypersonic-fighter-jet-could-be-a-reality-for-us-air-force-lockheed/

[dronescapesvideos]

SR-71 Blackbird (A-12 Oxcart) and the U-2 Dragon Lady. Skunk Works extraordinary spy planes