I love these Blackbirds on the cover of this Flying Saucers comic by Dell I saw in an old sale.
The Blackbird has always found itself in science fiction and fantasy like this. Just think of its equivalent in the Tri-ang SpaceX range.
Do you have a Blackbird toy, model or comic?
I had a blackbird kit that I converted into a Spacex vehicle.
ReplyDeleteWow, have we blogged that kev?
DeleteYep, long time ago, I'll send you some pics.
ReplyDeleteTa Kev. Got them. To be blogged.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I had either an Aurora or Revell model kit of the Blackbird in the 70s, so fancy and streamlined and kind of ominous, yes?
ReplyDeleteI agree Zigg, there is something fabulous and yes, ominous about the SR-71. It gets chosen a lot: Tri-ang SpaceX and the X-Men no less! They've got a Blackbird too.
DeleteOh and of course there's the Guardian from the Daleks.
ReplyDeleteHi Woodsy,
ReplyDeleteUnless I am very much mistaken, the aircraft on the cover are actually YF-12s which are the interceptor version of the SR-71. And the crew did not usually call the SR-71 'Blackbird' the preferred name was 'Habu' which was a dangerous, black venomous snake found on Okinawa from where the SR-71s flew reconnaissances over Vietnam. I have the Haynes owner's workshop Manual for the SR-71 which provided this info. I got my copy from 'The Works for £7.
Thanks Steve. Insightful.
DeleteClose! Those are indeed YF-12s on the cover. You can tell by the shortened chines that don't wrap around the nose and also the short ventral fins on the engines for stability. Also the 2 small pods that hang underneath.
DeleteHowever, the YF-12 was the interceptor version of the A-12 not the SR-71. The YF-12 was announced publicly, most likely as a cover story for any sightings of the A-12. It is a 2 seater, like the SR-71 but came before the SR-71 and used A-12 airframes for the 3 that were produced.
Thanks a lot Lance. You know your planes! So what's the jet that the X-Men fly?
DeleteWoo that's a can of worms, Woodsy. To make a long story short, here's just some highlights.
DeleteMid 1975, they flew their Stratojet which is essentially the back half of a SR-71 with a massive cabin plopped on it leaving no real space for fuel. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/9/90/X-Men_Stratojet_from_X-Men_Vol_1_94_001.png/revision/latest?cb=20200724004051
In 1977 is when the more traditional SR-71 looking plane came to be. First it was called the RS-150 Blackbird and was from Shield. Then at some time, the Professor upgraded to the SR-71 Blackbird. Given it has weapon bays, VTOL, ventral access ramp, a large interior to walk around in, it is obviously not a real SR-71 but based on one.
Marvel says "The original X-Men Blackbird was visually based on a modified, scaled-up version of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane (hence the name) but was modified to carry several passengers, as well as for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). Some writers have referred to this design as the "SR-73" (possibly unofficial). The original Blackbird was crashed, torn apart, or otherwise destroyed on a regular basis, but each time it was rebuilt. Later versions incorporated technology created by Forge and the Shi'ar, including weapon systems, holographic active camouflage, and engines capable of hypersonic speeds."
Fantastic Lance. I really enjoyed that. A can of worms under control!
Delete