Reviewing This Plane Has Been Nothing but a Pleasure. the Look of the Plane, the Way The

On 1st September 1974. Major James V. Sullivan, (Pilot) and Noel F. Widdifield, (RSO) shot across a radar-checked start line 80,000 feet above New York and at a speed of over 2,000 mph. Exactly 1 hour, 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds later they had set a new world speed record from New York to London. Their average speed was 1,807 statute mph over the 3,461 statute mile course, only slowing down once to refuel from a modified KC-135 tanker. The aircraft was put on static display at the Farnborough Air Show that week. This was the first time the top secret aircraft had been on public display outside the United States.
The SR-71 Blackbird is the most famous reconnaissance aircraft ever to fly. It was renowned for its distinctive shape, dominated by the two giant engines; the all-over black livery and an ability to fly at up to three times the speed of sound. It could gaze down from enormous altitudes and keep tabs on Uncle Sam's enemies around the globe.
The Blackbird still holds a clutch of world records and it was probably the most exciting aircraft ever to fly. Now virtual pilots can experience a form of aviation in FS2004 that was only ever enjoyed in the real world by a very select group of fliers. Stand by for an extremely fast ride!

"Reviewing this plane has been nothing but a pleasure. The look of the plane, the way the plane flies, the sounds and the animations are all top notch." Reheat.org
Detailed features
" Authentic GMax-built model
" Fully working afterburners with modelled effect for realistic appearance.
" The model drips fuel on the ground - just like the real thing! Watch the fuel puddles grow beneath the wings.
" Animated engine air intake spikes move according to speed.
" Animated exhaust petals.
" Animated pilot figures.
" Operating cockpit canopies.
" Animated realistic looking drag-chute for braking on the ground.
" Operating in-flight refuelling bay door.
" All flight surfaces are animated.
" Unique three-wheel main gears.
" Designed to be easy to operate and fly.
" Functional 2D panel.
" Clickable and animated VC (Virtual Cockpit).
" Operating HUD (Head Up Display).
" Authentic sounds including realistic start-up sounds
" Designed to fly at mach 3.3 and FL 850.
" Printed manual
Seven liveries are included
- 9th Reconnaissance Wing "17974"

-9th Reconnaissance Wing "17975"

-- 9th Reconnaissance Wing "17976"

-- No. 17972.

-- Duxford Air Museum "17962"

-- NASA

-- DBX

System Requirements

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004

Pentium IV 1.7 GHz PC

Windows XP

512Mb RAM

64Mb graphics accelerator card.

225 Mb hard drive space minimum.

DVD-ROM drive