Reported as non-fatal..............
1967 USGP, Watkins Glen pit road and the front straight.
Things have changed.
^ That was then, this is 1980:
nderwater wrote: I'm eight years old again...
HOLY E36 M3! ITS TURBO-TEEN!
The pinnacle of terrestrial engineering.
Appleseed wrote: The pinnacle of terrestrial engineering.
Every time I read about that thing i have to remind myself they did all of that engineering in the early 1960's.
dinger wrote:Appleseed wrote: The pinnacle of terrestrial engineering.Every time I read about that thing i have to remind myself they did all of that engineering in the early 1960's.
Every time I read the Speed Check story, I smile real big like this 
Everybody has to look at this again.
World's most expensive ferry?
The 'shock diamonds' caused by the afterburners are really cool.
Somewhere I read that the fuel tanks vent during takeoff causing fireballs on the wings but I can't find a pic or video to confirm that. But I did find something to confirm that the things leaked like sieves: http://www.blackbirds.net/u2/c_bennett/bbird-03.html
You've probably heard the SR-71 is a severe leaker, and I'll try to put this into perspective. Once LN2 is serviced a few hours prior to launch, the fuel system becomes pressurized, and that's when the real leaks start. Normally, about five or six steady fuel leaks (about the width of a drinking straw) show up coming from both inboard wings, falling about six feet to the ground. The entire bottom of the fuselage becomes wet, and starts dripping onto the hanger floor. Some puddling starts to accumulate on top of the inboard wings, and at times runs off the wing onto the floor. In some bad leakers, fountains can be seen spraying upward from the top of the inboard wings, ranging anywhere from two inches to three feet in height. Usually, the really bad leaks occur when the aircraft is getting close to being sent to the Depot for an overhaul. How much fuel is actually lost prior to flight? It was a common practice to refuel the aircraft about four or five hours prior to flight. It was also standard to place about four to seven hundred pounds of JP-7 extra in the tanks to allow for this leakage. That's a loss of about one hundred pounds or sixteen gallons per hour. And folks, that's just for a standard fuel load. At times, due to lack of tankers, we would put considerably more fuel onboard, and launch her on a "rocket ride". When we did this, you could basically double the amount of leaks I've described. Why all the leaks? High temperature fuel sealant was especially designed for the SR-71, and there's no other substance known in existence to replace it. Once the aircraft is as cruise speeds, it tends to seal itself. The leaks I've spoken of do not jeopardize the safety of the aircraft, due to the high flash point of JP-7. In fact, a lit match thrown into it would just go out. Up until the late 80's, the fuel leaked was simply washed out of the hanger after the launch, and went into the ground. Due to environmental laws towards the end of the program, we started to catch the fuel in drip pans, dispose of it properly, and vacuum the residual from the floor. You could always pick out the guys who had participated in a launch. They smelled like JP-7, there hair was sticky looking, and fuel stains covered their uniforms. Many guys wore rain suits to eliminate this problem. Believe it or not, a half can of Coke added to the wash removed all the stains and smells from the clothing.
Appleseed wrote:nderwater wrote: I'm eight years old again...HOLY E36 M3! ITS TURBO-TEEN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFLQS12z8K4
Lets not over look the P&W J-58.
fastEddie wrote: World's most expensive ferry?
Changing home port of the ship, you bring your car along.
You'll need to log in to post.
