The fastest, highest flying aircraft you never knew about. I am proud to say that my dad, retired Air Force Colonel Thomas Allocca, flew this plane! He was a RSO from about 1970 to 1974, and has been places I'll never know about, while making the world a little safer each time he went up. I will always look up to him with beaming pride and admiration. I had to do this, for he is as modest as I am bold! I am not alone. His superior intelligence, talent, charm and tenacity win over everyone he meets! He's never cocky or arrogant, and when faced with adversity, he excels and triumphs. One of his favorite quotes was "The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes just a little longer". I love you Dad! |
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| Designed in the 1950's by the legendary Kelly Johnson, the Lockheed SR-71 remains to this day the fastest, highest flying production aircraft in the world. Its ceiling is almost 100,000 feet, and it can remain in level flight at well over 2300 mph through its mission. They flat outran Russian missiles and anything else chasing after them! Speed was its main countermeasure, but it also had stealth, long before it became a modern buzzword. Even our latest air superiority aircraft, the F22 Raptor, wouldn't be able to catch it! |
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| This was always my favorite view! As a child, I used to stand by the runway to see my dad take off. |
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| The SR-71 even looks awesome when it's standing still! |
| The SR-71 Alma Mater. Meet some of the people associated with this amazing plane! |
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| This was your view from the 'window seat' at 90,000 ft! |
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