Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001631 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Diecast Model USAF 9th SRW, #61-7972, World Record Flight, March 6th 1990. Limited Edition 700 Pieces Worldwide. Aircraft #61-7972 rolled off the assembly line on September 15th, 1966 and first flew on December 12th, 1966. Over the next 23 years, it flew numerous missions with the 9th Strategic Recconaissance Wing, eventually racking up 2801.1 flight hours. In 1974 it set the world speed record flying from New York to London in 1 hour, 54 minutes, 56 seconds. On March 6th, 1990, #972 was retired from the US Air Force and flew from Palmdale, California to Dulles Field, Washington D. To be placed on permanent display at the National Air and Space Museum. The plane was piloted by Lt. Ed Yielding with RSO Lt. Joseph Vida in the backseat. During that final flight, the aircraft broke four world speed records, including a US West Coast to East Coast time of just under 1 hour 8 minutes, averaging 2,124 mph over 2,404 statute miles. Designed as a long-range, strategic reconnaissance aircraft, The Lockheed SR-71 first flew on December 22, 1964. Nicknamed “The Blackbird, ” this highly-advanced aircraft was believed by many to be ahead of its time. It was capable of mach 3 and still holds the record for the fastest “air breathing manned aircraft” in the world. Its speed and ability to operate at high altitudes served as a defensive feature; when attacked by surface-to-air missiles, the pilot needed only to accelerate to avoid being struck. Only 32 SR-71’s were operated during its 34-year service history, and though 12 were destroyed in accidents none were lost to enemy attack. Century Wings’ 1:72 scale SR-71 includes the mission-capable SR-71A and training SR-71B variants. The models are constructed almost entirely of metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used in the manufacturing process. Crisply detailed panel lines and ultra-thin metal rudders and edges surround the airframe to reproduce this eye-catching speed demon. The sharply pointed shock cones protruding from the engine nacelles and the afterburner detail at the rear of the engine are accurately reproduced, and the correctly detailed set of landing gear and doors have been included as robust sub-assemblies that allow for quick and easy configuration for ground or in-flight display. Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes. The Century Wings “1:72 Wings of Heroes” range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Century Wings 1:72 diecast airplanes feature. Diecast metal construction with some plastic components. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details. Pad printed markings and placards that won’t fade or peel like decals. Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors. Selected moveable control surfaces. Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear. Presentation stand to display the aircraft “in flight”. Detailed removable pilot and crew figures. Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards. Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads. Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity. The item “172 SR-71A Blackbird #61-7972 USAF 9th SRW” is in sale since Monday, December 16, 2019. This item is in the category “Toys & Hobbies\Diecast & Toy Vehicles\Aircraft & Spacecraft\Contemporary Manufacture”. The seller is “theflyingmule” and is located in Grass Valley, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Brand: Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes
- Scale: 1:72
- Vehicle Make: Lockheed
- Vehicle Type: Airplane
- Material: Diecast Metal and Plastic
- Theme: 1:72 Wings of Heroes
- Year of Manufacture: 2019
- Model: SR-71A Blackbird
- MPN: 001631_Century_Wings_Diecast_Metal_and_Plastic_Model_Airplane
- Recommended Age Range: 14+
- Country/Region of Manufacture: China