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A
much-awaited release from Cutting Edge, this covers
14 different SR-71A/B and YF-12A Blackbirds The
decals are very thin with minimal carrier film and
the registration seems to be spot on. The airframes
covered are:-
- SR-71A 61-79xx Habu - this was an SR-71A
nose with the HABU markings applied. The only
photograph shows the nose mounted on a
maintenance stand in a hangar in the mid-1980's
- you thus could potentially apply it to any
SR-71 from that time period;
- SR-71A 71-7958, with the Habu in chalk and
applied by A1C Ward Stucker (time period
unknown);
- SR-71A 61-7952, Skull & Crossbones, with the
artwork being slightly different on each side;
- SR-71A 61-7971, "Spuds MacKenzie", again
chalked on by A1C Ward Stucker in the mid
1980's;
- SR-71A 61-7972, Charlie's Problem - this
airframe is now on display in the Udvar-Hazy
Center of the National Air & Space Museum in
Washington, DC, although not with these specific
markings;
- SR-71A 61-7974, "Ichi Ban" with a number of
mission markings, one of 4 Blackbirds to make
the initial deployment to OL-8 at Kadena in
1968;
- SR-71A 61-7976, Snarling Cat, with a cat
logo on the outside fin faces. The cat logos are
different on each side;
- SR-71A 61-7978, "Rapid Rabbit", which flew
combat missions over North Vietnam and SEA
around the same time as Ichi Ban. It may have
carried the same "Habu" mission markings as
found on Ichi Ban;
- SR-71A 61-7980, "Rosemary's Baby San", from
a photograph dated 18 September 1969;
- SR-71A 61-7962 "RIP", marked to represent
dissatisfaction with the Air Force's decision to
retire the Blackbird fleet ;
- SR-71A 61-7974, Leprechaun (formerly "Ichi
Ban" during the Vietnam War;
- SR-71A 61-7979, "Night Hawk", drawn in chalk
by A1C Pam Engelbrecht, with different logos on
each side;
- SR-71A 61-7980, with Farewell Dartboard
which is reputed to be Det 4's logo and was
applied to the outboard surface of each vertical
fin;
- SR-71B 61-7956, Gumby, drawn on the right
fin only by Sgt Robert Strouse. At a later date,
the words "IROC at 3+" were added to the left
fin, although no photograph of this seems to
exist;
- YF-12A 60-6936, Record Flights with 3
silhouettes painted below the canopy of YF-12A's
to commemorate the three world records earned by
the YF-12A in May 1965.
For each airframe, Cutting Edge include a side view
with details of where individual markings are
placed and a top view to show where walkways etc are
located. All drawings are in full color.
They also make reference to the fact that
airframes with the low visibility (red) markings did
not have any national insignia applied to the
fuselage or wings.
Additionally, for each airframe, Cutting Edge provide
a details of the markings for each airframe
(although little more detailed than above), and also
note that the serial numbers noted in Aerofax
Minigraph #1 was incorrect in noting the SR-71
serial numbers as being in the 64-1XXXX range; they
were actually in the 61-7XXX range.
A very nice sheet!
Review by Chris St Clair
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