Legendary Lockheed YF-12 Images

The Lockheed A-12 family, known as the Blackbirds, were designed by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. They were constructed mostly of titanium to withstand aerodynamic heating. Fueled by JP-7, the Blackbirds were capable of cruising at Mach 3.2 and attaining altitudes in excess of 80,000 feet. The first version, a CIA reconnaissance aircraft that first flew in April 1962 was called the A-12. An interceptor version was developed in 1963 under the designation YF-12A.

The Lockheed A-12 family, known as the Blackbirds, were designed by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson. These YF-12 images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

The YF-12A (60-6935) carries the "coldwall" heat transfer pod on a pylon beneath the forward fuselage. The pod is seen with its insulating coating intact. In the background, the YF-12C flies photo chase. The coldwall project, supported by Langley Research Center, consisted of a stainless steel tube equipped with thermocouples and pressure-sensors. A special insulating coating covered the tube, which was chilled with liquid nitrogen. At Mach 3, the insulation could be pyrotechnically blown away from the tube, instantly exposing it to the thermal environment. The experiment caused many in-flight difficulties, such as engine unstarts, but eventually researchers got a successful flight.

The Lockheed YF-12A (60-6935) carries the “cold-wall” heat transfer pod on a pylon beneath the forward fuselage. The pod is seen with its insulating coating intact.

YF-12A, tail number 06936 on the Edwards ramp. The Air Force needed technical assistance to get the latest reconnaissance version of the A-12 family, the SR-71A, fully operational. Eventually, the Air Force offered NASA the use of two YF-12A aircraft, 60-6935 and 60-6936. A joint NASA-USAF program was mapped out in June 1969.

YF-12A, tail number 06936 on the Edwards ramp.

The first of three YF-12s flew in August 1963. In May 1965, the first and third YF-12s set several records, including a speed record of 2,070.101 mph and an altitude record of 80,257.65 feet. For their speed record flight, Col. Robert L. "Fox" Stephens (pilot) and Lt. Col. Daniel Andre (fire control officer) received the 1965 Thompson Trophy.

The first of three YF-12’s flew in August 1963. In May 1965, the first and third YF-12’s set several records, including a speed record of 2,070.101 mph and an altitude record of 80,257.65 feet.

NASA Test Pilot Don Mallick with YF-12A (60-6935). Don was ready for a flight across the Western United States.

NASA Test Pilot Don Mallick with YF-12A (60-6935). These YF-12 images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

Because air friction heated the skin to more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit, titanium alloys make up 93 percent of the YF-12’s structural weight. The YF-12 is also coated with a special black paint that helps radiate heat from its skin.

The YF-12 is also coated with a special black paint that helps radiate heat from its skin.

Iconic sunrise shot of the Lockheed YF-12.

The YF-12 was developed in the 1960's as a high-altitude, Mach 3 interceptor to defend against supersonic bombers. Based on the A-12 reconnaissance aircraft, the YF-12A became the forerunner of the highly-sophisticated SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft.

The Lockheed YF-12A at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Size contrast between the Lockheed F-80C (front) and the Lockheed YF-12A at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Though the aircraft performed well, the F-12 interceptor program ended in early 1968. High costs, the ongoing war in Southeast Asia, and a lower priority on air defense of the US all contributed to the cancellation.

Size contrast between the Lockheed F-80C (front) and the Lockheed YF-12A at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

An AIM-47 missile before loading into the Lockheed YF-12A weapons bay.

An AIM-47 missile before loading into the Lockheed YF-12A weapons bay. These YF-12 images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

Restoration staff move the Lockheed YF-12A into the new fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Restoration staff move the Lockheed YF-12A into the new fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Lockheed YF-12A in the Research & Development Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Lockheed YF-12A in the Research & Development Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

General view of the North American XB-70 Valkyrie and the Lockheed YF-12A in the Research and Development Gallery in the museum's fourth building. Also pictured are the North American X-15A-2 and the Space Shuttle Exhibit on display in the Space Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

General view of the North American XB-70 Valkyrie and the Lockheed YF-12A in the Research and Development Gallery in the museum’s fourth building.

Restoration staff move the Lockheed YF-12A into the new fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Restoration staff move the Lockheed YF-12A into the new fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The aircraft on display -- the second one built -- was recalled from storage in 1969 for a joint USAF/NASA investigation of supersonic cruise technology. It was flown to the museum in 1979, and it is the only remaining YF-12A in existence (the first YF-12A was damaged beyond repair after a landing mishap, and the third YF-12A was destroyed after the crew ejected to escape an inflight fire).

The aircraft on display — the second one built — was recalled from storage in 1969 for a joint USAF/NASA investigation of supersonic cruise technology. These YF-12 images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

The Lockeheed YF-12A in flight with "coldwall" experiment.

The Lockheed YF-12A in flight with “cold-wall” experiment.

The Lockheed YF-12 (S/N 60-6935) takeoff.

The Lockheed YF-12 (S/N 60-6935) takeoff.

The Lockheed YF-12 (S/N 60-6934) on the ground.

The Lockheed YF-12 (S/N 60-6934) on the ground.

Dryden Flight Research Center E-23131. Photographed 1971.

Dryden Flight Research Center E-23131. Photographed 1971.

Col. Chuck Yeager with Jimmy Stewart (left) at Lockheed YF-12 unveiling.

Col. Chuck Yeager with Jimmy Stewart (left) at Lockheed YF-12 unveiling. These YF-12 images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

The Lockheed YF-12 (S/N 60-6936) on the taxiway.

The Lockheed YF-12 (S/N 60-6936) on the taxiway.

For their YF-12 speed record flight, Col. Robert L. "Fox" Stephens (pilot, left) and Lt. Col. Daniel Andre (fire control officer, right) received the 1965 Thompson Trophy.

Col. Robert L. “Fox” Stephens (pilot, left) and Lt. Col. Daniel Andre (fire control officer, right).

The Thompson Trophy, symbolic of speed supremacy in the air, is one of aviation's most coveted awards. It was first presented in 1929 following the Thompson Trophy Race at the National Air Races, Cleveland, Ohio, and was sponsored by Thompson Products, Inc., now Thompson Romo Wooldridge (TRW), Inc. In 1965, the Thompson Trophy was awarded to Col. Robert L. "Fox" Stephens (pilot) and Lt. Col. Daniel Andre (first control officer) for their YF-12A flight of 2,062 mph on May 1, 1965. This flight recaptured the world absolute speed record for the U.S. from the Soviet Union. The trophy was transferred to the museum by Maj. Gen. Alton D. Slay, commander of Air Force Systems Command.

The 1965 Thompson Trophy on display in the Research & Development Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The J58 engine was developed in the late 1950s by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corp. to meet a U.S. Navy requirement. It was designed to operate at speeds of Mach 3+ and at altitudes of more than 80,000 feet. The J58 was the first engine designed to operate for extended periods using its afterburner, and it was the first engine to be flight-qualified at Mach 3 for the U.S. Air Force.

The Pratt & Whitney J58 Turbojet engine on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Two J58s powered the highly-sophisticated Lockheed SR-71 high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft as well as its forerunners, the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A prototype interceptor. In July 1976, J58 engines powered an SR-71 to a world altitude record of 85,069 feet and another SR-71 to a world speed record of 2,193 mph.

Pratt & Whitney J-58 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. These YF-12 images were photographed by military veterans and service members.