Kits, Pictures & Text by Peter Mojzisek
 Lockheed YF-12A "Interceptor"

YF-12A 001.JPG

Only three YF-12A have been built in 1963, intended to be the fastest interceptor of the world. Armed with 3 nuclear AIM-47 air-to-air missiles, with a speed of Mach 3+, a service ceiling of above 80'000 feet and a range of 2'000+ miles - this should have been the *ultimate* interceptor. But due to changed threat scenarios, the project ended in 1966 - never to become operational.
The YF-12 was the forerunner of the more successful high-altitude reconnaissance version SR-71. See also my 1/48 Testors SR-71A Blackbird on this site.
YF-12A 002.JPG This model shows article no. 1003 / 60-6936 / FX-936. The first flight was on March 13, 1964 and the aircraft crashed on July 24, 1971.

The pods under the engines are carriers for photographic equipment, meant to film the shooting test with the AIM-47A.

 
The kit comes from Testors, No. 588. It's an old mold, and I needed a lot of extra work and even more putty. Some large parts are badly warped.

In addition, I used the True Details cockpit set (No. 48478) and the wheels (No. 48100) on this kit. But the cockpit has to bee altered to show an YF-12 (the set is for the SR-71 designed).

Unfortunately, the decals in the kit were cracked and of no use, but I got some spares from my friend Eric R. Engstrom, Sr. (USA). Thank's again!

 YF-12A 006.JPG
YF-12A 005.JPG
The F-12A interceptor program began in 1963, when an A-12 "Oxcart" was coupled with the Hughes AN/ASG-18 radar an the AIM-47 nuclear tipped missiles. On May 1, 1965 (the Soviet National Day!), FX-936 set nine world absolute speed and altitude records. After cancellation of the program, FX-936 joined the NASA in 1966 - but it crashed 1971, with both crew ejecting safely.
YF-12A 004.JPG 		YF-12A 003.JPG

YF-12A 009.JPG

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

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