Mach 3.2 tells the story of SR-71A Blackbird 61-7953, one of the early aircraft used to develop and test the world's fastest operational reconnaissance aircraft. Its career ended in the California desert on 18 December 1969.
The Relic from 61-7953
The titanium relic associated with the artwork was recovered on 14 December 2000 by aviation archaeologist R. Hill near the crash site in Death Valley. Air Force recovery teams had removed the major wreckage after the accident, but small fragments remained scattered in the desert.
Titanium recovered from the crash site of SR-71A 61-7953.
Some fragments show heat-related coloration in the titanium, evidence of the intense fire associated with the crash. The material came directly from the recovery site rather than through later collector circulation.
The Final Flight
SR-71A 61-7953 was built in 1965 and accumulated roughly 290 flight hours as part of the Blackbird test program. On 18 December 1969, Lt. Col. Joe Rogers and reconnaissance systems officer Lt. Col. Gary Heidelbaugh were flying a test and training sortie following modifications to the aircraft.
After aerial refueling and transition to high-speed flight, the crew encountered serious problems that ultimately led to loss of the aircraft over the Death Valley region. Both men ejected safely. The accident ended the career of 61-7953 but left behind physical evidence of the risks involved in developing and operating an aircraft at the extreme edge of contemporary aerospace technology.
The December 1969 crash site of SR-71A 61-7953.
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