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From: ron@nbife.NBI.COM (Ron Schweikert)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: SR71 to be retired October 1st, rumors regarding SR-71
Message-ID: <976@nbife.NBI.COM>
Date: 10 Mar 89 15:33:07 GMT
References: <524@gonzo.UUCP> <1475@petsd.UUCP> <13987@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>
Organization: NBI Inc., Headquarters Service Centers
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> My dates may be wrong (so please don't flame me) but I was told once
> that the SR-71 first flew in 1962 and was known to the public until 1968.
> An ex roommate's father who was an Air Force mechanic at the time  said that the
> flight line was always cleared on landing (always at night with no lights)
> and as soon as it stopped a tarp was thrown over it.  So secret that he
> had no idea of what type of plane it was (i.e. boomer or recon).
> 

I'm always amused by the rumors associated with the blackbird over the years,
since I wasn't on the flightline in '62 I can't say if it's true, but since the
plane is over 100' long (107'4" with the OBC nose if memory serves correctly)
it seems strange.  I served as a maintenence person/crew chief on the SR for
6 years and Beale and the FOLs.

Some of the more interesting rumors: 'it has concrete tires because of the
extreme heat.'.  Wrong.  The tires are painted silver (Goodyear silver crown's,
22 ply).  Paint wears off the bottom taxiing for first flight..

Flies underwater because of it's periscope (seriously folks, heard this more
than once).  True, it does have a 'periscope'.  It is a small one, about 4 in.
long that the pilot uses to check alignment of the rudders since he can't
see them.  Also to confirm whether or not the drag chute released on landing
if he is uncertain.  Can't think of what else he'd use it for, perhaps for
problems with refueling receptacle, who knows.

At the FOL in Okinawa, we taxied the plane *underground* to the end of the
runway for security.  The basis for this was that from the main flightline
you couldn't see it taxiing, it just 'appeared' at the end.  The runway
has a big hump in the center.  Also sloped off towards our end. By the way, we
weren't alone down there, there were other aircraft.

We started the engines with the hanger doors closed until we were ready to
go.  YIKES, that would get warm!!!!  WRONG.  The only things we did 
'secretively' with the hanger doors closed was uploading or downloading
sensors.  Most of the time was open for our comfort or safety(fueling etc).

There were many other rumors.  Heard any good ones you'd like me to comment
on?  Anyway, I was always confused about some of the security.  Was pretty
easy for Russians to know when we're coming, however I guess if you had 
something to 'cover up', the short time that it took us to get there 
probably wouldn't give them enough time.  The one secret part of this that
was strictly enforced was *when* we were flying a 'hot' mission.  The map
projectors the pilots used had a seal on their circuit breaker.  It was not
uncommon for us as we were fueling or something to preview the flight.  Was
very interesting.  However NO ONE ever did when it was sealed.

The SR-71 was and is still a fascinating airplane.  I enjoyed learning it
pretty much inside and out (mechanics-wise).  It was ahead of it's time, but
not any longer.  Wouldn't surprise me in the least that there is something
faster and better.  

With it's retirement, is kind of a passing of an era.  Sad in a way...