File A121-R-61-7973SR-71AArticle 2024

61-7973

SR-71A · Article 2024
On displayPalmdale, California

Blackbird Airpark (annex of the Air Force Flight Test Museum)
Palmdale, California, USA · 34.60, -118.09

SR-71A 61-7973 taxiing out at RAF Mildenhall in rain; the photographer dates it 21 July 1997, but the aircraft made its last flight on 21 July 1987.
SR-71A 61-7973 taxiing out at RAF Mildenhall in rain; the photographer dates it 21 July 1997, but the aircraft made its last flight on 21 July 1987.Rob Schleiffert (Flickr) · 1997-07-21 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source
SR-71A 61-7973 on display at Blackbird Airpark, Palmdale, California, on 29 February 2016.
SR-71A 61-7973 on display at Blackbird Airpark, Palmdale, California, on 29 February 2016.Alan Wilson (Flickr) · 2016-02-29 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Record

61-7973
2024
SR-71A
1,729.9
8 February 1967
Preserved, on display
Blackbird Airpark (annex of the Air Force Flight Test Museum), Palmdale, California, USA

Career

  • First SR-71 repainted in the 1982 red low-visibility markings scheme
  • Only SR-71 to carry a red-painted USAF star (not repeated)
  • Displayed beside the first A-12, 'Article 121' (60-6924)

Fate

Last flew on 21 July 1987 and was stored at Palmdale, then towed to Blackbird Airpark (dedicated 27 September 1991), where it is shown with A-12 60-6924 and D-21 525.

Where the record disagrees

Baugher states 7973 was damaged on 21 July 1987 while being demonstrated at RAF Mildenhall; habu.org gives 21 July 1987 only as its last flight. The damage claim was not confirmed by a second source. Location coordinates from OpenStreetMap (2503 East Avenue P). Airpark date: dedicated 27 September 1991 here; Roadrunners Internationale says the Airpark opened in November 1991.

Sources

  1. SR-71 Online (sr-71.org), via Internet Archive. SR-71A #61-7973 gallery page (archived copy). Open · In the register
  2. Habu.org. 61-7973 (Blackbird Photo Archive). Archived copy · In the register
  3. Habu.org. 61-7973 (Blackbird Photo Archive). Archived copy · In the register
  4. The SR-71 Blackbird (thesr71blackbird.com). SR-71A Blackbird #17973 / #2024. Open · Archived · In the register
  5. SR-71 Online (sr-71.org), via Internet Archive. SR-71 Locations (archived copy, lists serial / Lockheed article number and fate). Open · In the register