The SR-71 "Blackbird" was the third in a series of specially built high-speed aircraft. The first one, called A-11, was designed by a Lockheed-team, led by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. This version was a CIA-sponsored spyplane, which first flew in April 1962 (Project Oxcart). The follow-on "spy" version was the A-12. 
The second type was called YF-12, intended to be the fastest interceptor of all times (first flight was in 1963). See also my 1/48 kit of the YF-12A - FX-936.
Finally, the last version was the SR-71 (Project Senior Crown). It has been developed as a strategic reconnaissance variant for the U.S. Air Force and flew for the first time on December 22, 1964. It was then almost for 35 years in service, capable of flying speeds more than Mach 3+ and higher than 85'000 feet. Equipped with the most advanced sensors, radars and cameras, it gathered very much needed information on the Soviet Military and their "friends in arms".

The airframe is totally built of titanium & alloys. Finally, the aircraft is covered with a RAM-type paint (Radar Absorbing Material).

I added the cockpit set (48478) and the resin wheels (48100) from True Details. The decals came from the kit, backed up by some items from a SuperScale sheet.

This Blackbird flew a lot of operational missions (called "Habu") during the Vietnam War from Kadena AB, Okinawa. It was lost in 1989 on an operational sortie following engine explosion. Both crew ejected safely.

It is wearing the markings of the
> 1st SRW / 9th SRW
> Det 1 - OL-8 / OL-KA
based in Kadena, Okinawa / JP.  

I airbrushed the kit in three different shades of black and gray-black, then covered it with a semi-flat finish. Although it's hard to see on these pictures, I am quiet satisfied with the effects.

The kit is *impressive* big - it measures almost 1 meter (more than 3 feet). I had to enlarge my showcase to accommodate it (and its brother YF-12) ... ;-)

For more information on the Blackbirds, visit www.habu.org !!!