What legal height could an SR-71 Blackbird buzz a small town on the West Coast? | Page 3 | FerrariChat

What legal height could an SR-71 Blackbird buzz a small town on the West Coast?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by bitzman, Jun 5, 2020.

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  1. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    #51 Bob Parks, Jul 29, 2020
    You're correct. The leading edge of the wings were close to that of a dull knife. Of all the century series fighters that I saw, the F-104 was the most spectacular. Second would be the Thud, a very close second. Two examples of extraordinary engineering.
     
  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #52 tazandjan, Jul 29, 2020
    The F-104 was used as a simulator for the X-15 when it was flying. With the speed brakes out, glide characteristics were very similar, as were sink rates. Sank like a rock.

    My favorite airplane when I was a kid.
     
  3. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    #53 Bob Parks, Jul 30, 2020
    The leading edge dia. was .01 "
     
  4. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

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    #54 Tcar, Jul 30, 2020
    Yes, if you fell against that wing you'd be in trouble.
    Thanks.
     
  5. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    #55 Bob Parks, Jul 30, 2020
    That dimension is a bit thinner than one of my finger nails. The F-104 wing thickness ratio was 3.36. WW2 fighters were around 9.00 to 12.00. B-17 was 18.00. Ford tri motor was 23.00
     
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  6. BOKE

    BOKE Beaks' Gun Rabbi
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    #56 BOKE, Sep 1, 2020
     
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  7. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #57 tazandjan, Sep 1, 2020
    Aerial refueling subsonic really slowed them down.
     
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