Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001647 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Diecast Model USAF 9th SRW, #61-7976, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, Final Flight, March 27th 1990. Limited Edition 900 Pieces Worldwide. Aircraft #61-7976 first flew in May, 1967 and was the first SR-71 to be flown on an operational mission, which took place over Vietnam on March 21st, 1968. Nearing the end of its career, the aircraft had “Bengal Tiger” artwork applied to the vertical stabilizers in chalk. The final flight for #976 took place on March 27th, 1990 when it arrived at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. With a total flight time of 2985.7 hours, the aircraft was finally retired and presented to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, 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.
