Century Wings 1:72 SR-71A Blackbird USAF 9th SRW Rapid Rabbit

Description

Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001641
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Diecast Model
USAF 9th SRW, #61-7978 Rapid Rabbit, Kadena AFB, Japan, 1972
Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide
1:72 Scale
Length
Width
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird
17.75"
9.25"
Aircraft #61-7978 first flew on July 5th, 1967 and deployed operationally, along with two other SR-71s, to Kadena AFB in March 1968. Shortly after arrival groundcrews painted the rudders with the Playboy Bunny logo which remained there for most of its carreer, earning it the nickname "Rapid Rabbit". She was lost on Thursday, July 20, 1972, while attempting to land at Kadena AFB during extreme crosswinds. The braking parachute failed to slow the aircraft, forcing pilot Denny Bush to turn the landing attempt into a touch-and-go and try for a second go-round. He released the chute, took off, and attempted another landing. On the second attempt, Bush could not slow the aircraft down in time and she ran off the end of the runway, breaking the main landing gear and damaging more than just the paint on her underside. He and his RSO Jimmy Fagg escaped serious injury, but #978 was a total loss.
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird
Designed as a long-range, strategic reconnaissance aircraft, The Lockheed SR-71 first flew on December 22, 1964. Nicknamed "The Blackbird," this highly-advanced aircraft was believed by many to be ahead of its time. It was capable of mach 3 and still holds the record for the fastest "air breathing manned aircraft" in the world. Its speed and ability to operate at high altitudes served as a defensive feature; when attacked by surface-to-air missiles, the pilot needed only to accelerate to avoid being struck. Only 32 SR-71's were operated during its 34-year service history, and though 12 were destroyed in accidents none were lost to enemy attack.
© Copyright 2003-2022 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Century Wings' 1:72 scale SR-71 includes the mission-capable SR-71A and training SR-71B variants. The models are constructed almost entirely of metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used in the manufacturing process. Crisply detailed panel lines and ultra-thin metal rudders and edges surround the airframe to reproduce this eye-catching speed demon. The sharply pointed shock cones protruding from the engine nacelles and the afterburner detail at the rear of the engine are accurately reproduced, and the correctly detailed set of landing gear and doors have been included as robust sub-assemblies that allow for quick and easy configuration for ground or in-flight display.
© Copyright 2003-2022 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes
The Century Wings "1:72 Wings of Heroes" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Century Wings 1:72 diecast airplanes feature:
Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
Selected moveable control surfaces.
Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
Detailed removable pilot and crew figures.
Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
© Copyright 2003-2022 The Flying Mule, Inc.