SR-71 Last flight from Kadena AFB Okinawa, Japan

Рет қаралды 167,720

8 жыл бұрын

Preparation and launching of the last SR-71 from Kadena AFB in Okinawa. All of the SR's from Kadena were flown back to California to be retired. This was the last plane to leave. This video is unique in that you get to see and hear the start-up of the J-58 engines.
Probably the greatest leap of aircraft technology ever & designed with a slide rule. The fate of these aircraft were sealed in 1968 when, then Secretary of State, Robert McNamara ordered Lockheed to destroy all machinery and tooling associated with making these aircraft (so that no new aircraft could never again be made. It is rumored that McNamara did this to eliminate competition of his 'pet' project, the F-111). Thus no new parts could be made and, after the inventory of whatever parts were available, had to be cannibalized from existing airframes. The aircraft were retired in 1991 over many objections from many officials that the aircraft were still needed.
After the first gulf war, $72 million dollars in funds for the return of a small number aircraft were allocated. On January 1st, 1997 the Airforce announced that two aircrew and aircraft were ready for deployment. In October of 1997, President Bill Clinton line-item vetoed the funds for the SR-71's out of the FY 1998 budget.
In 1998, all aircraft were retired permanently from service - excepting the four aircraft on loan to NASA. 1999 was the last year any blackbird flew (with NASA), and the remaining four aircraft were moved to be displayed at NASA or museums over the following few years.
Nearing 50 years old, and still the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, The blackbirds are all in museums collecting dust. To those of you younger folks that were'nt around to see these wonderful aircraft flying, instead of sitting idle, I am sorry that you will not have the opprotunity to see or, most particuluarly, HEAR these machines in thier element. They made frequent appearances at airshows, and despite being older than most of the aircraft at the shows, the SR's always drew the biggest crowds.
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." - John Keats, 1818

Пікірлер: 302

@russmaheras1580 6 жыл бұрын

I remember filming this video! If you turn the sound up loud enough, you can hear me narrating in the background. I filmed it on a borrowed 8 mm videocassette recorder, and this is a digital file taken from a VHS dupe of that video. The original video is nearly an hour long, and includes interviews with Det 1 personnel, glimpses inside the T-Hangar hallways, and more. I was an electronic warfare technician on the Blackbird for eight years, and it was probably the highlight of my Air Force career.

@grunt11h 5 жыл бұрын

Out of curiosity, what was the date this was filmed? I suspect it was 1990, but what month? Thanks.

@HawkinsVapor 5 жыл бұрын

@@grunt11h He says January 1990 at the end of the video

@unclemonster48 4 жыл бұрын

Would love to hear the stories of what you’ve seen and worked on and how it all worked

@vinnie4041 4 жыл бұрын

Please post the whole video. Would love to hear all the interviews

@simonvance8054 3 жыл бұрын

So glad you filmed it, amazing footage of an amazing aircraft...makes you feel like you’re right there..thanks for this!

@rl5579 Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what I enjoy the most; those screaming big block starters or the just plain awesomeness of the Blackbird. The noise in that hanger must have been incredible.

@dondamon443 2 жыл бұрын

The last takeoff for me was in 1986. Spent 6 years at Beale and saw the SR-71 take off many times. It never gets old. Too bad it had to end.

@RogerThat1986 Жыл бұрын

I got to see them up close at Beale, in 1985. Very cool machine.

@Jeff-sp7bg 8 ай бұрын

In sacramento could hear those things takeoff early in the morning. Could never see them no lights just shook the sac valley for a good 5 minutes

@zakkwylde89 4 жыл бұрын

Was, and probably still is, the coolest machine made by man.

@captainmidnight7012 Жыл бұрын

From throwing the spear , to ridding the tip at Mach speeds !

@dks13827 Жыл бұрын

That's true.......... space shuttle and lunar module are also right up there.

@borntoclimb7116 Жыл бұрын

Yes

@Omegaman1969 Жыл бұрын

Along with Concorde, except you'd be sipping champagne, not wearing an Oxygen suit at 60,000ft at Mach 2.0 and super cruising with no afterburners.

@skinnyb8230 6 ай бұрын

@@Omegaman1969I have never seen an SR-71 up close. Saw the one at the 1997 Oshkosh airshow but it couldn't do a supersonic pass because of a fuel leak (read that story). I've seen Concorde multiple times at Oshkosh. That machine was way ahead of its time. It's also the loudest plane I have ever seen on takeoff. They had 2 (or so) hour flights for like 750 bucks where they'd take a spin around northern Canada and you could go supersonic but I was a broke ass teenager lol. Never gonna get that chance again.

@iontheball1 Жыл бұрын

I was stationed on the 'Rock" as a Marine around 1971 and used to go over to Kadena on the weekends to watch the SR-71s take off. That bird was such a beautiful flying machine, a designer/artist's masterpiece. Those twin big V-8 starter engines, Buicks at first and then Chevys at high revs were also music to the ears.

@nancybergum1431 6 жыл бұрын

Kadena 75-76, I will always always remember the engine runs on the test pad. They would literally chain it down because of the thrust. After about 10 minutes of idle they would push up the throttle to around 50%, the sound pressure waves were so incredible literally shaking the ground like a richter 5 or 6 earthquake. Will never ever experience something so man made awesome again...great memories!

@jefferymoran286 4 жыл бұрын

I was a marine stationed at camp foster 88-89. Remember the early morning wake up call as the run the j-58s up and back to idle. We were several miles away from kadena and the ground shook and the noise was like constant thunder. ONE BAD ASS BIRD. And for those with interest, habu is aj little

@raymondhaskins8204 2 жыл бұрын

Kadena 71 - 72. Seen it take off dozens of times. Then this week at a aircraft museum I finally got a up close view. Forgot how big it was. Never forget the sound.

@TheCrimsonFckr 6 жыл бұрын

*The* greatest aircraft ever built.

@donaldwest8130 5 жыл бұрын

Highly doubt they could produce this same type aircraft today in 18 months.

@jwilson2793 3 жыл бұрын

Sure the SR-72 will be faster, but it’ll never have the soul the original Blackbird had

@the.porter.productions 4 ай бұрын

O-H-I-O Porter greetings 🇺🇸 It seemed to have a LONG run! WOW!!! My favorite plane to this day! Dynamite! 🥰🥰✌️

@Kev621 5 жыл бұрын

Hearing the people talk about how awesome the X-men jet design was in the movie...not knowing it really exist and was built in the 60s.

@yeetguy8329 3 жыл бұрын

I know right like it posses me off lol

@badgrand 2 жыл бұрын

In all fairness. The time-frame of that particular movie was set in the 60’s ~65 if I’m not mistaken.

@jeffpawlowski6119 7 жыл бұрын

I grew up on Kadena, we'll sort of. Lived there from 77 to 83. My mom was from Okinawa. Anyway, a good friend of hers and my dads from a bowling league was the commander of the Blackbirds back then. Habu Squadron. DET 1. Still have the patch somewhere in a box. Wish I knew the commanders name. Would love the meet him again. But he took my brother and I on a tour of the Habu squadron. We got to walk around the aircraft, we met the pilots and we watched the get their space suits on. They walked out to the aircraft and climbed in and I got to look into the burner can as they fired up the engines. I remember seeing a bride green flame flutter around the inside of the burner can right as the engine is started and that scaring me to death but he told me it was safe until the engines were up to speed (idle). The commander showed us one of the engines on a service cart. If I remember right he told me all the fuel lines were made of 24K gold and was something to do with they could expand and contract better than regular fuel lines. From there we jumped in a truck and followed them out to the runway while listening to the pilots talking to us and the tower. I remember the sun was almost set as the SR-71 pulled out to the end of the runway and ran its pre-flight. We were of to their left side about half way down the runway. The tower gave them clearance for take-off and that thing went blowing past us with such a sound and speed and I swear the afterburner flames seemed to be 30 to 40 ft long (which I know that is my child brain thinking) pouring out of the jet engines. Once off the ground all I could see were to blue flames get smaller and smaller. I was 5 or 6 years old and will never forget that day.

@dtkristy1 7 жыл бұрын

That would have been Colonel Raphael Samay! A great guy. I served in Det 1 1980-1981.

@jeffpawlowski6119 7 жыл бұрын

Wow. That is cool that you saw this..... Thank you so much for the info. I remember My mom and I guess Colonel Samay playing a joke on 2 new pilots to the squadron. My Uncle (moms brother) acted like some dignitary from Okinawa and climbed up the stairs to the cockpit (which was all covered up) and the pilots were telling him that he couldn't be up there when the Colonel harassed the pilots because my uncle could get Kadena shut down or something like that..... I remember my mom telling me as a child about that years ago. I guess it was funnier if you were there.

@zeek9697 6 жыл бұрын

Jeff Pawlowski I was on Okinawa in 65-68 (8-10 years old]. My dad was the meteorologist that prepared that aspect of the missions. We used to come home and if Dad's packed suitcase was missing we knew he'd be gone several days. We didn't know for many many years what he was up to. I guess he developed the math that was required for those forecasts because nothing had ever flown that fast or that high before. This was before calculators much less a computers! I used to watch him plot points on a green grid piece of paper and then draw the front lines to show how the weather was going to behave. It had to be such exciting work and sobering at the same time. Vietnam was in full Heat at that time.. as a kid I remember watching refueling and watching Jets fly over and hear the sonic boom. I once watched (from the school playground during recess) an F-15 twirling out of control spiraling and crashing into the bay. My dad told me that the pilot had ejected safely. One time my brother who was two years younger than I, was walking on the tarmac with my dad because his office was at the airport. He looked up and saw the SR-71 and said, "Wow, dad, what is that?" My dad looked up and said , "I don't see anything." and kept walking LOL. It's great to hear your memories!

@AgeofMachines 6 жыл бұрын

Real cool stories here. Thanks for sharing.

@daviddickerson495 5 жыл бұрын

I lived in base housing on the hill overlooking the golf course and runway at that time. My dad was stationed there although not with the SR71 Det. I recall seeing the SR71's blasting into the evening sky and wondering where exactly they were heading. If I understood correctly, they had to refuel almost immediately after takeoff so there was a KC135 already waiting for them.

@peteh5862 2 жыл бұрын

Spent 68' to Aug. '70 going back and forth to Kadena working on the SR. Loved every minute of it.

@trespire Жыл бұрын

Hope you weren't a structural technician. It was never easy replacing the titanium panels on the Phantoms tail section, a bit of a nightmare working with the stuff.

@kennethcrumbly9477 11 ай бұрын

Was a kid at Kadena at the time living off base housing but remembered seeing the SR take off and land..my dad worked on the flight line at the time around the B-52's

@kalaharbinger5938 2 жыл бұрын

I only just found this video when trying to explain how gorgeous this bird is at night. god. the onions got cut at the amount of memories it brought back. I lived on kadena 85-88, I was just a kid, but I remember sitting on bomber hill watching habu take off at dusk, the sight of those twin blue candles, the roar, the vibration, the smells... god. you would think it was yesterday. Thank you for filming this and letting her live on in memories.

@taofledermaus 5 жыл бұрын

That start cart sounds like a top fuel dragster. Never actually heard those before!

@justaskmeiknow5584 4 жыл бұрын

Trust me they dont

@AugustusTitus 3 жыл бұрын

Nailhead Buicks originally, then Chevy crate engines.

@sunterror55 3 жыл бұрын

Its two Buick (then later Chevy) V8 side by side with no exhaust. So it was a bit loud.

@frgpilot 3 жыл бұрын

I think it sounds more like a pimp trying to outrun the police in 1972

@RyBredSamich 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Jeff, I thought the same thing when I heard it, I was like what the hell is camming like a big block. Well did some research, and that’s exactly what it was, a 454 Chevrolet big block starter cart. Well 2 of em.

@trespire 4 жыл бұрын

2:12 the sound of those twin V8s Starter Cart spinning up the J-58 .

@kiwidiesel5071 4 жыл бұрын

Those are not ge engines.they are Pratt and Whitney

@walkerforsyth6221 4 жыл бұрын

@@kiwidiesel5071 the important thing here is the song of them big block Chevys

@kiwidiesel5071 4 жыл бұрын

@@walkerforsyth6221 lol a man after my own heart. Couldn't agree more, them baby's are on song at the high point of startup for sure😍

@cacornett58 4 жыл бұрын

I believe they were 454s.

@pizzapeku8 4 жыл бұрын

Nah... They started them with 4352657545077823 Prius engines....no bullshit

@davidcorbett341 7 жыл бұрын

imagine the adrenaline of climbing those stairs to go sit in that beast

@arthurstrainset7871 5 жыл бұрын

I managed to sit in a Vulcan Bomber in RAF Cosford UK, that was a spooky experience.

@2410jrod 4 жыл бұрын

The lady in the long black dress. I imagine these guys were grinning listening to this engine purr

@davidcorbett341 4 жыл бұрын

@@2410jrod she was a beauty

@GoBlue576966 3 жыл бұрын

I wasn't getting into it to fly, but to look in the cockpit. What a feeling!!

@frgpilot 3 жыл бұрын

If I saw this plane sitting in a hanger today and had never seen one before, I would still think it was a secret futuristic aircraft. Amazing how advanced it was for the time.

@timmystips3935 11 ай бұрын

And the fact that they had to INVENT some of the tools to even make the airplane! Unbelievably awesome.

@caringguy32 7 ай бұрын

The plane is amazing, I just want to thank all of the people in the org, who made this plane fly, it is a miracle to see such beauty to fly across the skies, all of you people in this program should feel proud of yourselves, job well done, much respect.

@trespire 17 күн бұрын

Second that. A salute to all involved with the Oxcart program, from John Kelly and his Skunk Works, to the people at the CIA, to the ground crews and brave pilots. Thank you all for preserving the Peace.

@hillbilly4christ638 7 ай бұрын

I was stationed at kadena in 84. The only thing louder than this aircraft is the space shuttle. I have been fortunate enough to witness both. I have many fond memories of the Habu.

@judgegixxer 6 жыл бұрын

Cool to hear those dual 454's screaming on the start cart. Could even hear the left startcart over the right running engine.

@billford5553 6 жыл бұрын

judgegixxer great sound init sounds like a drag cart race leading onto the J58 ramjet engines

@Trebor-gw8lt Жыл бұрын

I noticed that too! Those boys must’ve had open headers or open exhaust manifolds on those big blocks. Such a cool era that we’ll never have again.

@alansimmons7732 3 ай бұрын

You can hear those Buick 455 in base housing, Beale 1974-1979

@kickstandup5863 7 жыл бұрын

NIce video, brings back memories. I worked many night shifts in that hangar from 82-84. Nothing like the memories of JP 7 dripping down the back of your neck while your speed drilling the panels on and off. Good times though, one of a kind aircraft. - shout out to all who were there back then from Boyd Armer.

@_dave4460 5 жыл бұрын

KickStandUp 73-73 habu!

@leonard5606 5 жыл бұрын

Looking at old videos and you got to Det 1 probably after I left and I was just wondering who was working up stairs in Admin next to the DCM's office? Not sure who took my place because I left before they got there and just wondered how they turned out.....I was there from Aug 78-Sept 82 I don't miss the noise. cheers......TSgt Watson (retired 1990)

@Jarek_73 4 жыл бұрын

I saw this drilling (screwing?) of the panels on some video. What was the aim of that process? Thanks!

@vermontsownboy6957 Жыл бұрын

2:21 The green flash of the TEB igniting the nearly unburnable JP7. After having seen several SR-71 AB take-offs and fly-bys at airshows, I can personally attest that the sound those mighty J-58 created is probably unmatched by any other man-made noise except possible when the SRBs were lit on Space Shuttle launches.

@davidcorbett1713 Жыл бұрын

Agreed the sound of those J58s are total beauty to the ears of any aircraft engine sound this is number 1.

@dtkristy1 7 жыл бұрын

Great video. Brings back lots of memories. I was a crew chief there from 1980 through 1981.

@kevinrees6945 6 жыл бұрын

David Kristy did you know Arthur Millard. He flew C130s for a long time I believe he was there around that time.

@user-rl5jo1tt2g 5 жыл бұрын

The whole Island would rumble whenever the Habu was taking off. It was a cool sight. Was stationed at Camp Lester Naval Hospital from Oct. 1983 to May 1986. Great place to be stationed.

@cliffordstetler2928 Жыл бұрын

To have lived there when the plane was housed there, to have my dad working for the sr71 Blackbird group, and seeing how beautiful Okinawa was, I will remember that for the rest of my life, in 1969 to see no trash, no cigarettes butts, not a single piece of trash back then, was perfect.

@kennethcrumbly9477 Жыл бұрын

Lived there in 69 as well as a kid and remember the Blackbird take offs and landings

@kennethcrumbly9477 11 ай бұрын

Was there from 69-71 as a 13 year old watching planes come and go all the time after school from the neighborhood hillside...nice viewing!

@rmb689 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the upload. I was stationed in Okinawa back in 1987-88. Every chance i got i would watch the SR-71 fly. Semper FI

@BoudewijnvanHouten 3 жыл бұрын

The most beautiful aircraft ever built. Mankind did built some very beautiful items and this is one of them.

@brendadaniels7649 3 жыл бұрын

Sobe, 66 to 68. First time I heard one, thought it was falling from the sky. Engines idled down so far. It was escorted by two F4s to Kadena Been in love ever since. Anyone remember the APs beating up the people trying to photo them as the readied to take off?

@JoeTurner_Dealerist 3 жыл бұрын

I was stationed at Kadena from 83 to 87 and loved watching the "Habu" take off

@raymondhaskins8204 2 жыл бұрын

I went to Tucson this week and saw the Blackbird in a Museum there. I have seen it many times on 0kinawa. Just not up close. A lot bigger than I remember. My bucket list complete.

@leeslentz517 Жыл бұрын

Another that was at Kadena is on display at Palmdale Airport Ca. along with an A12.

@dfortier51 2 жыл бұрын

If I remember right, those start carts were equipped with two 350 buick high horsepower engines to crank the SR- 71 over. Another sight to see.

@the.porter.productions 4 ай бұрын

O-H-I-O Porter greetings 🇺🇸Then it took some power to get this bird to roar!!! WOWSERS!

@arthurstrainset7871 5 жыл бұрын

Why is there always a wanker who puts a thumbs down on a great video like this SR 71 xx

@jimglasco 4 жыл бұрын

I was a SeaBee at camp Shields on Okinawa, back in 1989 I had the delight of watching these Black Birds or Habu as the locals called it, take of from Kadena AFB

@tzodearf2596 4 жыл бұрын

Great video and comments! For me, the two greatest flights on Okinawa were the first time seeing a fruit bat glide by, and the first time seeing the Habu takeoff at night. This video takes me to the other side of the runways, and I could imagine myself there (18th EMS) thinking, "That's what it looked like--looks about right.". I worked on ground support equipment but never start carts. Funny how you know instinctively know what something is eventhough you haven't thought about it , or heard it in 35 years. Good night Habu - and the name of this movie is called "Gone in 30 Seconds."

@belken117 10 ай бұрын

The very roaring sound of those engines at full thrust can never be topped by anything else! So iconic to their power. ^^

@joeyvetrano1220 8 жыл бұрын

lived on okinawa starting summer of 84 thru winter of 86 - lived at camp lester/kue/kuwae (depending on your era there) - days after moving in -during twilight heard a roar/thunder that i knew was a plane, but not one i recognized, so i started scanning the sky hoping there was enough light to ID it.... when i saw two blue flames circling from the sky to the east of where kadena AFB is around to the south- and then off to the west all the while climbing higher- never saw the plane- just the flames . so of course- had to ask around at school what it was i saw. and thus- my introduction to the Habu. from that point on- i always kept an eye out for a chance to watch launches and landings of that beast.

@J297WFD 3 жыл бұрын

I was at Kadena from 88-91 with AWACS I remember the Habu quite well!

@cacornett58 4 жыл бұрын

I lived on Okinawa as an Air Force brat from 67-71. I used to watch them take off and land at Kadena. I was 10 years old. I ask my dad what the the number of the plane was and he wouldn't tell me, just said it was the Habu. He use to fly them films to Japan in a C-130.

@kennethcrumbly9477 Жыл бұрын

Lived on Okinawa from 69-71. Lived off base in Kadena Circle area. Used to watche take offs and landings from the neighborhood lookout over seeing the runways. Watched all brands of planes come and go after getting home from school. Was about 13 years old at the time.

@kennethcrumbly9477 11 ай бұрын

I was also an Air Force brat from 69-71 on Okinawa and used to watch the SR's take off and land from the neighborhood hillside off base overlooking the runway at Kadena

@cacornett58 11 ай бұрын

@@kennethcrumbly9477 Awesome. I could stand on our balcony porch on the second floor of our off base apartment on a hillside also., and watch them on approach to Kadena. My dad flew missions to Vietnam out of Naha AFB C-130 Flight Enginneer. My uncle was stationed at Kadena, jet engine mechanic on C-141s. We drove over to visit one day and there it was, lined up for takeoff. The main highway went right past the runway pretty close. We stopped and watched. It was a beautiful sight. Then we got on base housing on Naha. Lots of C130s, F4s, F105s there.

@WisdomVendor1 5 жыл бұрын

The Blackbird was when the ultimate in engineering and art collided.

@mvtroiano 5 жыл бұрын

That is a sound you never forget! Loved seeing that thing takeoff at night.

@donaldlong9259 2 ай бұрын

I remember watching it take off at night from Futenma back in the 70's, it was like a rocket!

@joqui71161 8 жыл бұрын

I was fortunate to be stationed at Beale during the mid -late 80s, got to see them do touch n' go's regularly since I was working at the flightline.

@ev65302 7 жыл бұрын

Could hear it all the way at Camo Hansen was there Nov 82-May 83 then Nov 84-May 85. Loved to watch it take off we I got down south.

@docohm50 4 ай бұрын

I was 19 when I went TDY to Kadena in 1983. I was a avionics instrument tech back then. This brought back memories.

@luisbalderrama8145 2 ай бұрын

This is such a special glimpse of such a special aircraft. Thank you so much for sharing this.

@corsairman1956 6 ай бұрын

Deployed to Kadena 3x, 79-81. The Habu’s hangar was right next to our P3C hangar. Saw the glow of those afterburners several times.

@AaronDeHart Жыл бұрын

That engine start sound... Man oh man.

@linkzoo 14 жыл бұрын

The most amazing aircraft ever!! Thanks for posting this.

@rmb743 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, i am a Marine vet, and i use to watch the SR71 Back in 87-88. SEMER FI

@the.porter.productions 4 ай бұрын

O-H-I-O Porter greetings 🇺🇸I was a kid when this plain came out. I was totally fascinated with it & got a plastic toy of it somehow. Loved it!!! This plane had a long run if it came out in 1971 to 1990! WOW! Is that about right? Is there any plain today that is more powerful? I don’t care if there is or not, I still LOVE this one! Even my 17 year old loves it! Fascinating how he feels the same way that I do! 🥰🥰✌️

@eodmax 2 жыл бұрын

My first trip to Kadena was in 70 in support of the B-52s back then the Habu didn't spend a lot of time on the ground they would taxi from their hanger to the end of runway and turn and burn. I was back at Kadena 84-88 and I guess they weren't so secret any more and would sit at the end of runway a bit before launch. Such a beautiful aircraft.

@kennethcrumbly9477 Жыл бұрын

My dad was worked there during that time on the flight line. We were stationed there from 69-71 I believe until going back stateside.

@kennethcrumbly9477 11 ай бұрын

My dad worked at Kadena in support of B-52's also I think from 69-71. Maybe you all worked together at that time. I remember seeing the Habu as well from the neighborhood watch site.

@eodmax 11 ай бұрын

@@kennethcrumbly9477 Kenneth I worked out in the bomb dump loading M117 750 lb bombs on 40 ft trailers for delivery to the line.

@justinclark5032 3 жыл бұрын

Oh my God! Thank you for posting this!

@geowhite8843 3 жыл бұрын

I was one of the guy's there in 82'-84'. It's Kadena AB not AFB...

@MrJwill919 4 жыл бұрын

It’s just...noise, and it’s beautiful.

@theunclemanny8086 7 ай бұрын

I was there in 89. At camp Hansen. I got to see the HABU fly over. She's gorgeous.

@jesseh2277 5 жыл бұрын

it would only take 3 hours for that airplane to go from Japan to California. that’s an 11 hour flight on a passenger plane today

@harvest1734 8 жыл бұрын

I was stationed there from the summer of '75 to December of '77,I work the Air Terminal Operations Center,when I went out to meet cargo jetsI would see Habu take off sometimes,I loved it!

@SailManMedic 2 жыл бұрын

I was with the 18th SPS 79-81. One of our posts was the taxiway gap in front of the hanger where they taxied out for missions. Loud AF lol but damn they were just amazing aircraft. Silly memory, enjoying the jet wash on a cold night, coping a warm breeze lmao

@frankmcgovern9773 Жыл бұрын

I was stationed at Futenma working on 130s. I loved going to Kadena and watching them take off. My favorites were sunset.

@C00LWhip 3 жыл бұрын

AWESOME!!!! Still waiting patiently for the 4k version . Love it.

@caringguy32 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video, I will always love the SR-71 Blackbird, I try to promote it on the news stations, a miracle plane to have ever taken flight, the speed, people need it no adays, it's great. Thank you.

@Mach5Johnny Жыл бұрын

Using 2 Buick Big Block V8s to start up one of the fastest and most badass manned aircraft in history is the most Metal and most America-Fuck-Yeah thing’s I’ve ever seen! So far……

@er1073 2 жыл бұрын

Okinawa 76-77 open house for bicentennial at Kadena the first time I ever saw or knew of the "Habu". 1986-87 I saw and heard the "Habu" take off at night about 18:00. 1989-1991 I had quarters at Kadena AFB Washington Heights as luck would have it we were on a hill facing the flight line perfect views of all aircraft especially the "Habu" I am not USAF but USMC proud American no matter what. In my humble opinion the best air craft ever built to date but we hopefully have a future and a promise of better technology to make them faster and fly higher. In the days when this air craft was built there were no cad programs or super computers only humans doing what they loved to do. I just watched a video of the J-58 what a great piece of hardware genius.

@nicholasgreen8087 Жыл бұрын

Truly AWESOME, in the truest sense of the word!

@therushmoreamericatraining6557 7 жыл бұрын

GOD SPEED......to cool to see this video, thanks for sharing!

@user-um6cz6hg7i 5 жыл бұрын

凄い航空機だった。騒音も桁外れでこの動画はみんなが熟睡していた真夜中の一時から三時の間に燃料を沢山入れて半径十キロメートル以上に響き渡るもの凄い音を立てて飛び立った。

@overbank56 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this!

@paoloc2571 3 жыл бұрын

Outstanding document! Thank you!

@stevewallace1117 4 жыл бұрын

30 years ago, imagine what they have now...

@Imustfly 7 жыл бұрын

I was a recon imagery tech,...left Kadena the month prior. Was there Aug 87-Dec 89. Wish the Habu was still flying.

@patriciafox2489 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, dude! Lt Fox here. Who r u?

@duanedietz7472 Жыл бұрын

I was at Edward's AFB for the great 👍 breaking of the sound barrier event air show in 2022. They had their SR 71 parked next active B1 bomber we kept filming 🎥 next to blackbird trying to get it in most shots. What an awesome aircraft.

@idomake4429 7 жыл бұрын

In about 84 I lived about 8 miles from this hanger, and when those "pony" motors spun up, I could hear it like it was next door. I often wondered how they might do on a track.

@hunternelson3018 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty good they were damn nascar motors

@Senor0Droolcup 4 жыл бұрын

This is awesome. Thank you.

@wcolby 6 жыл бұрын

66-84 Kids at Kubasaki HS, under the pattern, would run to the windows when she flew by.

@dallasc9877 Жыл бұрын

You can here those start cart engines Rev after the j58 fires, love it

@darrellblaine3000 Жыл бұрын

I was with ASA in 1974 in Karamursel. We were always curious about the Air Force side and their tracking of overflights out of Kadena

@trentonkofod469 Жыл бұрын

Very curious on how they kept the beacons 🚨 lights in the plane during flight when the plane would expand. I would think the beacon lights would break, melt or fall off .

@Trebor-gw8lt Жыл бұрын

For all the final flights the pilots should’ve been allowed to max out the throttles for a few minutes just to see how fast they could really go. That would’ve been awesome way to walk away as a HABU pilot.

@murilovsilva 5 жыл бұрын

A pair of unmuffled V8 engines starting up the most powerful turbojet engines of all time. The SR-71 was the result of an USAF letter of request making love to a Mad Max script.

@metall1969 Жыл бұрын

Love the sound of the start carts Buick engines!

@Rufus1524 3 жыл бұрын

I just finished a tour at Kadena AB, Japan. Where on the flight line was this building? I was on the south side, where they keep the fighters and I never really went to the north side where the HH-60s and Heavy’s were. I suspect this hanger was on the north side, but maybe the flight line has changed a lot since then.

@geowhite8843 3 жыл бұрын

The Hangers were on the SAC side of the base . Here are the GPS Coordinates. 26.358974, 127.755874

@sandycheeze8499 Жыл бұрын

Crazy that this hangar is still in use for Kadena's Rescue Squadron, albeit way more rusty now.

@19553129 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome Bird .

@capitolabill1921 4 жыл бұрын

I was TDY to Paradise Island in 1980, for 35 days, from snowy, muddy, rocky Korea. While at PI, i was dispatched to repair an F-4D, belonging to 8th Tac Ftr Wng. the plane was at some of the alert barns on the SW end of the field. the place was covered in graffiti about "The Habu". there were some remarkably good artists represented there. Were the SRs ever based there? Could Transit Alert turn one of those birds, or was it a TDY, depending on the mission requirements?

@FIRESHOCK88 6 ай бұрын

What a sound!😍

@davidcorbett341 7 жыл бұрын

start carts kicking in for engine 1 at 2 mins 25 secs the again on engine 2 at 3 mins 45 secs pure eargasm

@loganstaal3162 Жыл бұрын

You can hear the two 454s start the engines, it’s good

@adamramirez7567 8 жыл бұрын

i worked a couple of years in this area!

@gonkymoukeeper 3 жыл бұрын

Just wonderful

@DJSHaKa 4 жыл бұрын

Where can i buy one, im interested in making it flightworthy again.

@Anonymous-ff5wr 11 ай бұрын

Beautiful loved it

@michaelrchan Жыл бұрын

What a machine.

@stephenmelton2532 6 жыл бұрын

I'm looking for a video I found once, and can't seem to find again. It is of an SR-71 starting up and idling for quit some time. Looked like a bunch of civilian tech's standing around. The sound was awesome. I think it was black and white, and about 20+ minutes long. Perhaps shot in England. Does this ring a bell with anyone who might have the link? I've been searching for about a year and still can't find it.

@davidcorbett341 6 жыл бұрын

stephen melton I know there was is a few videos of the SR71 at Mildenhall air strip and another airstrip in southern England from around the early 80s

@markwandrey2937 4 жыл бұрын

Stephen, I noted it also. . .a later posting mentioned copyright problem. Location said to be England.

@ralfpampus311 3 жыл бұрын

military.id.me/aircraft/these-sr-71-air-show-videos-are-rare-eerie-stunning/?SOV&

@toddmartin6572 3 жыл бұрын

Nothing better than those ‘shock diamonds ‘ out of the engines...

@kiwidiesel Жыл бұрын

Man built a Chariot fit for a God and it tore apart the sky with some truly unbreakable records.

@ronjon7942 Жыл бұрын

Nice work

@CarbonFirox Жыл бұрын

Does Helium SelfGenerate ( from closed system), or does it convert, from Ionized Sir !?

@davidsmith5775 5 жыл бұрын

I'd inhale all that start-cart and jet exhaust forever just to have been there :)

@CarbonFirox Жыл бұрын

Luke, your Illustration.... Of world's largest Carbon Rod ever poured.

@borntoclimb7116 Жыл бұрын

This is Impressive

@virginialoverproductions 5 жыл бұрын

Cool video!

@GroovyBabyYeah 2 жыл бұрын

So freaking cool

@jeffsanders663 4 жыл бұрын

I thought that being in a Blackbird meant having to be on oxygen for a few hours to purge nitrogen from the body but at the beginning, I don't see them hooked up. Any youtubers can clue me in, please?