USAF Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Signed By Chief Test Pilot Robert “Bob” Gillilan. Framed Print With COA Item #. Brand New In Box. The SR-71 was first conceptualized early in 1956, by Kelly Johnson’s “Skunk Works” crew at Lockheed. The original design was designated the A-12, a high speed fighter interceptor, and won a highly secret design competition on August 29, 1959 and was finally approved by the CIA under a code-named project Oxcart on January 30, 1960. On 22 December 1964, Lockheed Test Pilot Bob Gilliland flew the first flight of SR-71 #950 at Palmdale, Calf, flying for 1 hour and over 1000 mph. As the SR-71 program continued to grow, Gilliland continued to be the first pilot to fly each Blackbird as it became operational, logging more experimental supersonic flight test-time above Mach 2 and Mach 3 than any other pilot. The wood frame measures 16.50″ x 13.50″ x 1.50. Certificate of Authenticity included. The item “USAF SR-71 Blackbird Signed By Chief Test Pilot Robert Gillilan Framed Print Coa” is in sale since Thursday, July 29, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Transportation\Aviation\Historic Aviators”. The seller is “bordi20″ and is located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Type: Signed Print