★ FAMOUSAviation history
SR-71 Blackbird #972
Coast to coast in 64 minutes — the fastest jet that ever flew
Tail number 61-7972
Retired. This one lives in the history books now.
The story
On its final flight in 1990, this Blackbird crossed the entire United States — Los Angeles to Washington D.C. — in 64 minutes, setting records that still stand. Nothing with an air-breathing engine has ever gone faster than the SR-71, and nothing ever caught one. She now guards the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia.
Fun fact
The SR-71 leaked fuel on the ground on purpose — the airframe was built loose so it could expand when Mach 3 heat set in.
Quick answers
What is the tail number of SR-71 Blackbird #972?
61-7972 (Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, retired).
What kind of aircraft is SR-71 Blackbird #972?
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird.
Is it still flying?
No. It no longer flies.
The type
More aviation history
★ Aviation historyGE Flying TestbedThe lopsided 747 — flies with one giant prototype engine★ Aviation historyHoneywell Flying TestbedThe unicorn 757 — flies with an engine growing out of its nose★ Aviation historyPratt & Whitney 747SP TestbedOne of the last SPs alive — the stubby unicorn of the 747 family★ Aviation historyB-29 Superfortress 'Doc'One of two flying B-29s left on Earth★ Aviation historyB-29 Superfortress 'FIFI'The B-29 that kept the breed alive — flying since her 1971 rescue★ Aviation historyGoodyear BlimpFirst of the modern Zeppelin fleet — the one everyone pictures
Bogey · free on iPhone and Android
Catch the legends still flying
Famous airframes wear a gold star on Bogey's live map. Plenty of them still fly.
- A live map of every aircraft around you, at its real position.
- Tap one and it flips into a trading card: type, airline, route, photo.
- Catch rare ones. Build a collection. Climb the leaderboard.