Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001650 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Diecast Model USAF, #61-7955 Skunk Works, Edwards AFB, CA, 1985. Limited Edition 1000 Pieces Worldwide. Aircraft #61-7955 first flew on 17 August 1965. As one of the first SR-71s produced, it remained at Lockheed’s Palmdale production facility to serve as a flight test aircraft. During much of that time, it wore the famous Lockheed “Skunk Works” logo on its tail. Over the course of twenty years, it played a crucial role in testing and verifying new systems and configurations that were later applied to the rest of the SR-71 fleet. By early 1985, it had accumulated 1993.7 hours of flight time. However, due to numerous modifications, it would have required significant changes to be brought back to SR-71 standard. As a result, the aircraft was retired from active service and subsequently put on display at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards AFB, California, where it remains as an exhibit for visitors to see today. 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.
