Habu 972 at Mach 3.0

L/E of 500
S/N by the Artist & One Pilot
Image Size: 23" x 12.75"
Paper Size: 27" x 17.25"

Plane Type: SR-71 Blackbird

Richard Graham and RSO Don Emmons cruising their SR-71 in after-burner, gathering intelligence over the Soviet nuclear facility at Kamchatka, December 15, 1976. At 80,000ft Rich Grahams SR-71 Blackbird is all but invisible to the three MiG fighters seen contrailing at 45,000 ft below. Under radar control, the MiGs make a futile attempt to intercept, but with the SR-71 travelling at three times the speed of sound along the edge of the stratosphere, there is nothing they can do. At this great height the crew of Habu 972 can clearly see the pronounced curvature of the earth and, in broad daylight above them, the brightest stars shining in the heavens. The SR-71 Habu 972, now resides in the National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC.

Personally Autographed by SR-71 pilot Rich Graham

PLANE JUNKIE - Habu 972 at Mach 3.0 by Phillip West (SR-71 Blackbird)