Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001623 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Diecast Model USAF 9th SRW, #61-7979 Night Hawk, 1990. Limited Edition 800 Pieces Worldwide. Aircraft #61-7979 first flew on August 10th, 1967. Over the next 23 years it flew missions with the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing from Beale AFB in California and Kadena AFB in Japan. In 1973 it flew six of the nine non-stop operational missions from the US to the Middle East to monitor the Yom Kippur war. Nearing the end of its career, the aircraft was briefly decorated with stunning “Night Hawk” artwork applied to the vertical stabilizers in chalk. #979 eventually logged 3321.7 flight hours, the fourth highest of the 32 SR-71s built. It was retired from service in 1990 and flown to the USAF Airman Heritage Museum at Lackland AFB, Texas where it is currently on display. 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 “Night Hawk 172 SR-71A Blackbird USAF 9th SRW” is in sale since Thursday, July 27, 2017. 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.
- Vehicle Make: Lockheed
- Recommended Age Range: 14+
- Material: Diecast Metal and Plastic
- Brand: Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes
- Model: SR-71A Blackbird
- Theme: 1:72 Wings of Heroes
- Scale: 1:72
- Country/Region of Manufacture: China
- MPN: 001623_Century_Wings_Diecast_Metal_and_Plastic_Model_Airplane
- Year of Manufacture: 2017
- Vehicle Type: Airplane