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No reconnaissance aircraft in history has operated globally in more hostile airspace or with such complete impunity than the Lockheed SR-71 (Blackbird). This miniature American flag was on board the Lockheed SR-71A (Blackbird) s/n 61-7972 on its record-setting last flight for delivery to the National Air and Space Museum on March 6, 1990.
No reconnaissance aircraft in history has operated globally in more hostile airspace or with such complete impunity than the Lockheed SR-71 (Blackbird). The Blackbird's performance and operational achievements placed it at the pinnacle of aviation technology developments during the Cold War. The SR-71 in the National Air and Space Museum's collection (s/n 61-7972) accrued about 2,800 hours of flight time during 24 years of active service with the US Air Force. On its last flight, March 6, 1990, Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding and Lt. Col. Joseph Vida set a speed record by flying from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 20 seconds, averaging 2,124 miles (3,418 kilometers) per hour. At the flight's conclusion, they landed at Washington-Dulles International Airport and turned the airplane over to the Smithsonian.
NASM.1990.0076
Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company
1990
Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company, Gift, 1990, NASM.1990.0076
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This miniature American flag was on board the Lockheed SR-71A (Blackbird) s/n 61-7972 on its record-setting last flight for delivery to the National Air and Space Museum on March 6, 1990. The flag is mounted in a blue folio which measures approximately 9 by 12 inches and includes a small certificate along with the flag. The serial number of the aircraft is erroneously listed on the certificate as 64-17972. SR-71 serial numbers have often been incorrectly given as beginning with "64-," with 5 numbers beginning with a "1" after the year. This was possibly done to keep certain details about the program a secret. The correct numbers are all either "60-" or "61-" with 4 digits after the year. Please note that the folio is not displayed in the slideshow.
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Lockheed SR-71A (Blackbird) Record Flight Flag and Certificate, NASM.1990.0076, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics
Lockheed SR-71 (Blackbird) Family
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Ephemera