How the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Works

An intensive and thrilling look inside the SR-71 Blackbird, one of aviation’s absolute greatest legends. Special thanks to Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum (), retired SR-71 Pilots Jerry Glasser and Buz Carpenter, and Arnie Gunderson (retired Pratt & Whitney J58 PM). CREDITS Jacob O’Neal - Research, script, narration, 3D modeling / animation, music MUSIC I composed the background music specifically for this project. Listen to “Blackbird“ on my soundcloud: PATREON SOFTWARE USED I use Blender 3D to create these models. It’s free and open source, and the community is amazing: 0:00 Intro 03:18 Aerodynamics of supersonic flight 08:13 Radar cross section 10:18 J58 Jet Engines 15:49 Inlet spike 20:39 Engine supporting features 23:12 Start carts 23:48 Fuel system 26:48 Flight control surfaces 33:11 Landing gear 34:20 Cockpits 34:47 Front cockpit 45:07 Rear cockpit 46:08 Cockpits (cont’d) 47:15 Flight suit 49:32 Reconnaissance equipment 53:20 Hero shot 54:11 Credits 54:22 Epilogue