Designing the World's Fastest Plane

I don't think this is going to come as a huge surprise, but a fuel leak is typically bad news if you're flying a plane. There is one notable exception, however: if you're piloting the SR-71 Blackbird. The world's fastest air-breathing jet, it was designed to leak fuel. Why? Let me explain...

If you enjoyed the video leave a like and *subscribe* to keep learning! And if you actually read this far how about you leave a joke in the comments section? I always love a good joke :)

[brendenbaker]

My grandpa was a blackbird mechanic for 22 years at Beale Air Force base in Wheatland california and he passed away 7 years ago this plane means a lot to me and seeing it getting broke down like this was cool

[KasabianFan]

“Nope, that’s not pee. It’s fluid from the world’s fastest plane!”

[sevenodonata]

SR-71 first flew in 1964, so 56 years not the 70 as stated in the video.

[cobywayne]

My favorite YouTube covered my favorite plane. What more could I ask for?

[wwar]

thank you mate 🤘
my favorite aircraft of all time, I know so much on this one but I always enjoy going over the info again and again.
this beautiful SR-71 was what got me into aircraft originally. such an amazing piece of engineering.
I can forever only dream what it must be like to have flown one of these beauties 😍
the pilots of them all praised the craft as something truly amazing to behold. even the design is breathtaking, how from the day it was created and even until now, the design does not look aged one bit. I wonder if it ever will look old?
thanks for the video.
I'm so glad your channel has taken off so well, keep up and keep growing my friend 🤘🤘

[johnquinn]

Enjoy your channel. Lockheed was not merged with Martin (Marietta) during early SkunkWorks days, including at this bird’s conception (originally the YF-12A). And sp: “Celsius”.

[alphamalegold]

Can you do more videos on military jets? I really liked this one!

[liocla]

Do a video on its secret CIA twin, the A-12. Also fuel leaks were accidental. In fact Kelly Johnson came up with a maximum number of 'drips per hour' for each fuel tank. The fuel (JP-7) ate through all the seals they made. They never solved the issue and it wasn't much of a problem because JP-7 is incredibly safe. If the fuel was normal JP-5 you bet they'd have solved the issue. The heat expansion was actually solved by making the skin corregated, but don't get me wrong, the panel gap thing is true. Cool video though.

[ronoconnor]

Been there seen that. Norton, and March afb airshows. Never again, never forgotten

[jonathanraecrisanto]

Imagine this plane manufactured using 21st century technology

[dattaxpony]

Since you got the SR-71, how do you feel about a video for the A-10 Thunderbolt?

[andrewday]

The Blackbird did MACH 3, 72 over N Vietnam
It also did MACH 3.68 over Libya
The intake turbines couldn’t handle the heat of going faster, but these aircraft were still accelerating

[jamiewalker]

X15 seems more impressive and is less known but the blackbirds engineering is so incredible if it was still flying today

[mikestone]

Nice video Sheldon:-) This was an awesome plane. Got to see it take off and land several times.

[mrrolandlawrence]

SR71 is the SECOND FASTEST ;) .. A12 being the fastest and the earlier model. Max'ed out at m3.58... also flew 10, 000ft higher and was a fair bit lighter.. oh yes im a big A12 fan, long before Elon Musk.. check out YT for videos by Frank Murray.

[f-btsc]

Nice video…I remember when I subscribed to you you had 500 subscriber something like that…and now it’s incredible how you growed up !

[stevenlyhne]

You deserve a lot more subscribers.
Keep going.

[philrabe]

Hey now! I just turned 60 and I know the first SR71 flight was in 1964 [wiki]. So less than 70 years by some few years.

[pilotpeter]

Wish I had the chance to fly the blackbird :/

[cobyexplanesfan]

Dude it could have been wayne explanes