SR-71 Pilot Interview Richard Graham Veteran Tales
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2013
- To purchase this video on dvd, email me at veterantales@gmail.com
/ erikjohnston
Here Rich Graham talks about how he got involved in flying the SR-71 and other airplanes. That audio in this video is not the best. We shot this at the Frontiers of Flight Museum beside the J-58 engine used in the SR-71. The kids area was very close to us and there were several kids having a good time, so you can hear them in the backround sometimes.
This guy talks about the sr71 being a national asset. I would like to add him to to the list of national assets. We were lucky to have him taking care of our nation's business. So glad to have had the honor to hear his story. Hope they put this story in the Smithsonian along with the sr71.
He must.be a facinating human too be flyin that high over the clouds. And a very daring soldier too fly the f4 phantom. On bombing missions this fighter jet flown by this human. Was very brave. Also wild weasel intercepts of russian an north korean mig fighter jets. This soldier shall go down in history. God bless. America.
Whereas an F4 is is a plaything, apparently.
They did what spy satellites of their time could not. Spysats were dropping reels of film and taking pictures on timers. The us forces who 'caught' these film capsules put themselves at extreme risk.. to get perfectly-timed pictures of clouds. The SR71 and U2 were used to have human control over photography. They wasted no film or flight-time on useless, clouded targets. These remarkable spy planes were only strategically viable because satellites were not.
Totally agree. He’s a national asset.
@@timothyjones1330 r has we
I had the honour to meet Richard in 2013 at the Duxford Air Show. What an amazing man. He treated me as a Cessna pilot with as much respect as I showed this living legend. He personally signed my copy of his book on flying the Blackbird and it is now one of my most prized possessions.
When I was about 13 years old, my Father took me and a buddy to Beale Air Force Base in CA (near where we lived). My Father knew the commander of the base and we were treated to not only an introduction to an SR-71 crew AS they got suited up for a flight, but we also saw that thing take off. I'll never, ever forget what my Father did for me that day and my conversation with those pilots has stayed with me all these years. When that bird came out of the hanger, and just...kept...coming, I finally realize how big that plane was. And to watch it take off was one of the most awesome things I've ever seen to this day.
Thanks for your story, Guy.
I got to do that with my dad at Robbins AFB. You never forget stuff like that. I got to see it take off before dawn on the tarmac. So freakin cool.
Wow absolutely amazing.What an awesome dad.
@@denverhester351 Yeah, he was a pretty awesome guy. Never drank, never smoked, and I think I heard him swear once in my entire life. You wanna talk about the "great generation", he was definitely part of it. Thanks Denver.
I live in NORCAL and work within the 9th Civil Engineering Squadron at Beale AFB. Beale is one of the few AFB that still fly the U-2 Dragon Lady. Never got to see the SR-71 fly out of Beale. That must have been incredible. The U-2 is the same era (1960) airplane as the SR-71, single engine High Altitude Reconnaissance. Flown by the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB. Completed a tire rubber removal and crack seal project at the Beale AFB runways and taxi areas last year. The runway concrete section is 18" thick. Great to see the U-2 still in the air. Proves that Great Engineering Lasts Forever.
As an Air Force pilot, having gone through pilot training, and two tours in Vietnam, and understanding how this officer got to the very tip of the spear, I totally get it. He is the best of the best in terms of what the service was looking for in a pilot for the Black Bird.
Thank you for your service. My Dad was a Vietnam Vet and he lost his legs when he was a soldier there in the US Army in 72. The USA likes her wars. It is the mistakes of idiotic kings that sometimes result in nice things. My Dad somehow had me and a few other kids after he was almost killed in a senseless war.
Thanks, glad you liked it. Its a long one but worth watching. I just couldn't bring myself to omit anything during the editing. It is all so fascinating.
The USAF keeps it up longer.
@@patricklee780 - THE ‘Chair’ Force, we do our Best work.... SITTING on our thoughts 💭. 😂
I Know, we outsmarted the Ruskies (Most, but NOT ALL of the time!) - I know stuff, I was THERE!
IF y’all dig this Cold War stuff - watch “The Americans” on Amazon Prime. Good ‘80s spycraft.
It's a shame there is no Subtitles for hearing Impaired, I would really like to watch this, we are missing out on somethig that has so much historical value and a lot of us love the science of it as well.
This kind of story telling is worth every second. I couldn't believe my luck in finding it. Thank you
It's a great video regardless. I'm just curious about one thing. I sure no one can truthfully answer this question. If you watch minute from 4-5, he talks about flying 75-80hrs in a U-2 Spy Plane. He states he never flew overseas, only state side. Here's the question, what would be reasons other then training purposes for U-2 Spy planes to be flying over state side only and are does anyone feel that it is also invading ones right to privacy. Just curious cause I see how guarded we all have become, does this government spy on Americans civilians? Anyway, really cool video and by no means do I mean anything negative or disrespectful towards any of our men and women in uniform serving this country. I'm just curious as to what people think is all.
I was there in Okinawa when you were flying. As kids we loved the SR-71. It was mysterious and a site to behold. All of us kids knew the 71 as the Habu.
I was a KC-135Q instructor pilot at Beale during Col Graham's tenure. He's a great guy and was a superb commander. I flew with him on a few occasions in the -135. A real gentleman!
I met Mr Graham at Sun n Fun back in 2004 :-) He and his wife were selling his 1st and 2nd books there. Genuinely nice people! I now own all of his SR books, all signed of course ;-) Asked him if he would do it all over again, he replied without hesitation that he would.
A1, Genuine, American Hero !!!
Thanks Erik for preserving History!!!
My dad flew with rich graham in Vietnam. He was a wild weasel, as well. The man is very smart and extremely articulate. I wish i hadn't waited so long to hear the stories.
Hi Julie - my dad flew with Rich as well...
My dad is col ret john is williams...I see your dad is col. Pugh? I'll see if my dad knew him! The history is becoming more important as myself, and he, gets older.
Col (ret) john O.S. williams
That's amazing!
Julie Stockton was your dad stationed in Vietnam or Thailand
Wild Weasel pilot in Vietnam, AND he flew the SR-71, AND he's extremely articulate and interesting.
Wish I knew the guy.
Wild Weasel is EF 4 right?
@@fffourtwenty Wild Weasel is a mission type where they tried to sniff out SAM launch sites. They would look for the radar from the missile and try and shoot it before it gets them and in Vietnam they used a few different aircraft for it.
@@southjerseysound7340 I think he's asking if they used the Phantom for WW ops. I also think the answer to his question is yes.
The current USAF Chief of Staff General David Goldfein was a F16 555 squadron pilot who got flamed over Kosovo in 1999. He evaded and escaped sucessfully.
Wild Weasel flights were done using a modified F4 Phantoms for the SOLE PURPOSE of finding and destroying SAM sites. Imagine for a minute what the pilots were thinking being in one of these airplanes, playing chicken with a SAM waiting until you were targeted and then springing into action. Balls of steel to do a job like that. "Me", You want me to do what!!??! Fly my aircraft into enemy airspace and tease them into launching missles at me so we can see where there shooting us from!!!?? You've got to be fu#$%ng kidding me!!
They don't leak fuel, they mark their territory.
HAHA! This deserves more likes quite frankly, so heres mine
Lmao this is awesome!
thei literally piss on (and off) the enemy.
Damn skippy 😎
Gosh Richard is an amazing communicator! Chooses discrete topics, introduces each topic, explains it in detail yet so simply, summarizes what he just talked about, and then chooses new topic. ... and nary a word about himself. Very impressive mind, amazing achievement, and so modest. Respect.
Contrast this presentation with Iacocca, Me & We did it! LoL 😂
I agree totally!
Now THAT'S what you call a documentary! Many thanks for posting.
So casually with a deadpan expression he says "I've seen Migs come up to try and get me....."! Amazing!
I've watched these A-12 and SR-71 pilot videos over and over and over multiple times. Just listening to them speak. You can see how sharp the mindsets are. Truly amazing people.
This Pilots life is nothing less than an astounding record of accomplishment. Age has not dulled the sharpest tool in the box, his SR71 operational insight is the most interesting masterclass I’ve ever watched.
This interview is a gem. From both sides, Richard Graham's expertise + articulate instruction on the SR-71 aircraft and missions, also the interviewer for allowing Graham to speak uninterrupted and very wisely staying in the background. Take a lesson future interviewers- when your in the presence of someone as intelligent as this former Air Force pilot..keep quiet and LEARN.
+Flickchaser I agree, I just let Rich keep talking. He has done this many times so there was no need for me to help keep him on track. He really knows how to tell the story.
@@ErikJohnston:👍🇺🇲😲✌👨🚀
Hey guess what ?
really nice to finally meet you ! I'm the kid that used to watch you take off everyday from flat top hill located right above the hangers on the west end of the Kadena Air Base runway! yeah that was me and my 12 year old buddies up there! we were watching you guys just about every day bringing the habu's in and out! Security never knew we were there!, you had a chopper take off and fly around before you took off, the most Habu's we saw was 4 at one time, We allways loved to watch you do the straight up climb !!,till we couldnt see you ,,,and you are right about the snakes!!,,all over Okinawa,,,we called em the 30second death bite!
Dad found out we were going up there and i got a butt wippin, he flew F4's 1966 to 1970
MILLION Dolla - GR8 youthful story, (Cold War, USAF Vet here), in my 4-5th grade summers w/my buds -we’d sneak thru a board fence @ sports car race course in Oakland Cty, MI.
Sorry about the
This interview hijacked my night. Gripping. One of the best interviews I've seen by a pilot of this amazing piece of aviation history. I'm Air Force veteran, f-16 avionics - though regrettably I never got the chance to go up. I'd be lying if I said I was never envious of the pilots. Had I the chance to go back and do it again, I'd have tried to go for commission and pilot school. That said, loved my job, loved working on the f-16. Specs keep these guys safe.
Lukinth - Check out this video of *Frank Murray* telling _”The OxCart story”,_ he was an *A-12* pilot and is just as sharp as this guy but with a touch more color in his language... ua-cam.com/video/MGdxpqqsHl8/v-deo.html
Hey, guy! Your pilots couldn't have done their missions without you. I know what it is to dream of flying while grounded. You kept'em airborne. Thank you .
orion k
Thanks for the link. Great story.
Nerd! Lol
Excellent interview of my favorite aircraft. I still recall how thrilled I was to receive a model of the SR-71 one Christmas. I spent lots of time building it to make it has perfect as I could, and then hanging it in my room over my bed. Thank you for posting this interview, and thanks to Mr. Richard Graham.
I appreciate you watching it all the way. It is loaded with so much information and I found it hard to omit parts during editing because its all so fascinating.
As a mechanic on these beauties, as well as the U-2/ TR-1/KC-135Q and T-38s my heart hurts with the fond memories. 9th SRW 84- 87.
Thank you for serving in the Vietnam war. The South Vietnam people never forget huge contributions and sacrifices of American soldiers. My salute to you and each and every service man and woman.
As a Facilities Engineer for Douglas next door at Site 3, the SR-71 was on the other side of the chain link fence parked in an engine run up test stand, we had to try to hide to protect our ears during those mighty run up blasts from the SR-71
Have anything to say about Site 4?
I worked the test areas at Pratt Whitney. The J58 would rattle your bones when doing a visual during a test at full afterburner. Ear protection? I still have ringing in my ears. 1972-1974.
Nothing better then crackin a cold one and watching videos taught by old timers. People like this have always been my idol.
Right
What an amazing interview. I could listen to him talk about this plane and program for hours.
+badlandskid Glad you liked it. Thanks
I not only could, but did.
badlandskid Me too.. Very interrestin individual!!
badlandskid My thoughts exactly. He's so articulate and informed on the topic. I loved this interview so much I listened to it twice. I'd love to hear more of his experiences in his Air Force career.
@@ErikJohnston Erik Johnston
Look at the way he picks up the model like a beautiful antique--he really loves that aircraft
SR-71 Pilot Richard Graham is a National Treasure. The depth of knowledge and ease that he speaks about the SR-71 is incredible. He knows the complete history of the SR-71 development and has a complete understanding of all of the SR-71 systems and engine. A True Patriot and someone who should receive the a National Award for his contributions to the Protection of our Country. #USA #USA
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
- Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”
John Gillespie MaGee Jr.
Subscribed
What an interesting man.. and so obviously in total control of the whole thing. I can't imagine this chap ever being flustered or worried. I'm sure he has been, of course.. but he speaks with such authority, such a matter of fact coolness. Some folk deserve every penny they earn don't they... and a lot more. Great video, thank you again Eric.
He should , the training the Military training he has had speaks for itself esp the college he has had the Military is what you make it What you put in is what you get out go as far as you can in there... ï just talked a Young man working at a Steakhouse going college to go in Navy the Navy Doctors out rank all Doctors even there medics are trained so well Special Forces will request to have a Navy Medic . not to mention Training is free schooling Free your buddies get out there paying @$1000 month back college you don't own nothing but a little time serve then you go civilian Doctor or heck stay in . more rank better housing better everything retire ,still have enough time to start a private practice.....
ROD B Do they teach grammar in the navy? if they do, join.
Haha yes I was thinking that too.
Basel Kader oh I know on here you are taking a Grammer test . right I guess you are the UA-cam Grammer Screener right ?
ROD B Unfortunately, I'm not. But that's a wonderful idea, Rob!
Probably one of the finest comprehensive full program presentations I have had the privilege of viewing. Thank You. It was awesome.
I lived in Plumas County CA., just East of Beale AFB, and got to see the SR71 being refueled overhead, with two fighters at each wing. So many sonic booms over the 15 years I lived there, and I suspect the SR71 was the culprit. No one complained, but rather said "that's the sound of freedom!".
The two wing aircraft are T-38s. SR-71 pilots train in those as flight time in the SR-71 is very tightly budgeted because it's so expensive and maintenance intensive.The 38s are being piloted by other SR-71 pilots for training. Watching the refueling procedures is a huge help when learning how to do it yourself.
I met Col. Graham last year, he gave a very interesting talk and I had a bit of one to one talk time too. Made my year.
I was lucky to be in Okinawa from 85-87. Got to see these so many times up close and personal. Still extremely cool to me. And what a great talk. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Your very welcome. I love doing these interviews. Rich did so much in his Air Force career. Just amazing.
Great interview. I live near Dayton ohio where the sr71 landed after a couple of flybys and was retired at our Museum. His 2 flybys were at like telophone pole height. Breathtaking..
1990 i think
What a badass pilot! A man who served his country well, and had a hell of a life!
I'm so glad something like UA-cam exists. Even before the history channel went all reality show, you never got stuff like this.
Stationed with Col Graham at Beale AFB, CA. He was my reenlistment officer for my 3rd term after coming back from Kadena, Okinawa
The most intricate and intimate interview I've ever found in the SR-71 Program.
I knew him as the 9th SRW Wing Commander, close to if not the best wing commander I served under. I did not know of his experience in the F-4 and there is a good possibility that as a KC-135 boom operator I refueled him during the Linebacker II operation.
God you guys are cool! Thank you for just being awesome and your service.
His analogy of GPS to star position is excellent
This and he is why America is so great. Let's hope we continue to have service men and women of this caliper.
From my perspective, a very valuable informative and historical record of the SR-71 "Blackbird" plane from many technical, logistical and operative viewpoints with a touch on politics. Lecturer Richard Graham had me riveted in front of screen for the entire movie. Thanks!
Hands down one of the best military aviation interviews I've seen. Well done!
Thank you
Awesome interview! 8 years late, but thank you
Every time I learn more about this aircraft, I come back and watch this.
I'm currently reading the flight manual, so naturally I came back to watch this again because I have a lot more context for the technical terms he drops here and there.
I got to meet Rich Graham at Cavanaugh Flight Museum in October 2014. He talked to me and my friend, Will, for a pretty fair amount of time. It was amazing to meet an SR71 pilot who was so down to earth and spent considerable time with us. I'll never forget it!
This guy just makes me feel stupid. What a thrill it must have been to fly in such an amazing aircraft.
Eric M don´t feel stupid brother, every good person is an interesting human being in his or her own way :)
Eric M Every person you meet in life can teach you someone you don't know. Granted, some can offer more than others. That's something I always keep in mind.
This is the best detailed briefing I've heard on the SR-71.
In my residential office on the wall before my desk is a framed picture titled HABU 972 AT MACH 3.0 BY Philip West. I am pleased to read on the brief description the following:
Rich Grahm cruises his SR-71 Blackbird in after urner at 80,000 feet, gathering intelligence over the Soviet nuclear facility on the Kamchatka Peninsula, December 1976. Some seven miles below at 45,000 feet, three contrailing MiGs make a vain attempt to intercept the SR-71 as it rockets along on the edge of the atmosphere.
We are blessed to have brave, committed, patriots like Rich Graham in our country. We owe such wonderful men and women our very lives.
Peter in North Idaho
Peter Vichi
Well said my friend! Glad you enjoyed the video
This is so detailed, that I feel like I just got out of the plane. Thanks for posting!
Your welcome buddy. Glad you liked it
Another example of what makes this the greatest country in the history of mankind, Col Graham and his fellow pilots kept us safe for many years, something we all took for granted until you listen to this interview. Thank you Col for your service.....Sir !!
What a great story, saw my first SR 71 at George AFB 1968 had a white playboy bunny on the tail, I will never forget it, I remember saying what the hell was that it gave me chills.
That was the “rapid rabbit.” My grandfather was the RSO in it when it crashed at Kadena AFB
This man was a USAF professional, 100%. It was way cool serving with men like this.
I sit here mouth open, with admiration, with what you guys did.
This is beyond awesome. About 90% of Graham's story was dead-silent top secret well in my lifetime (I'm 29)!!! From an X-file to a relaxed chat on youtube watched by anyone. Incredible...
Yeah things have certainly changed.
soberek What amazes me is that this is old news and the new tech is so far beyond that this stuff isn’t critical any more.
"Out here on the tarmac on a sunny day it would lock on to brightest star within uhhh a minute."
THEY MADE THIS IN THE SEVENTIES
60's! ...1966 to be exact.... Crazy right.... Right before the program was terminated in the 90s the one Russian guy who defected over here in that russian mig (90's) said the Russians still couldn't catch them in the '90s! And that those particular migs we're made to shoot down the SR-71.... That aircraft was way ahead of its time .....
blows my mind
@@MikeSarni Wow.
absolutely amazing too hear from Mr. Graham of all the detail in the SR71 program. and you can tell
he was remembering tons of info and way more that was popping into his head as he was talking. What a great memory.
Thank you for the video interview.
Lets see, watch a 44 minute documentary made by some people who're gonna sensationalize things, or watch 78 minutes of this guy talking about it in honest detail?
No contest.
***** It reminds me of listening to my grandfather's war stories.
BollocksUtwat I couldn't agree more!
+Anton Zuykov Go to sh.... Fk Russian.....
+BollocksUtwat While I agree this is generally better, the SR-71 is one of those things that deserves the sensation.
Their "knowledge" is BS. What types have they flown? What do they know of MER or SER or GBTA. I don't write much due to Sub-Arachnoid and Sub-Dural surgery........ But I am now firing on 7 or 8 cylinders rather than then the 2 or 3 I was confined to.
You are the man Rich Graham!!
+David Lester I agree.
Just listened to and met Colonel Graham today. What an amazing presentation and man. He was so kind to my family and I. We could listen to him all day!!!!
I worked in a tool crib as a summer hire while the SR's were in production. Very impressive operation and amazing it was built in the heart of Burbank, boxed and hauled over public highways and no one knew. I remember people asking me about "this new airplane" when it was setting the speed records in the 70's. A very different time. The Burbank flyby when the program was shut down for good was a real once in a lifetime experience - really struggled to get it turned with the hills so close. I have a picture taken from across the runway where you can just read "Lockheed" on the old Building 360 just under the plane.
I fail to understand how people have given it the thumbs down, a truly interesting documentary.
+follytowers I'm thinking.....hmmmm, BAM=Remember the "Bell Curve Analogy"? Thumbs down people are so far from the "Bell Curve Analogy" that they still believe the WORLD IS FLAT! Bonus points added when the persons "Family Tree" is STRAIGHT(NO-BRANCHES)!
+Epiphany_1 hahaha... Statistics was one head-nodder of a class 😴, but I do remember the bell curve.
considering the amount of morons roaming the internet, 100 vs 4.4k thumbs up is very good :p
Those are people who should not have started to watch it in the first place. Just a bet.
not enuff Xploshons n shit..thats y!!.. or just dumb as fuck an it goes straight over there heads an have the attention span of an amoeba!!..an that putting an amoeba down
This is the third time I watch this episode: l love how Richard Graham explains this level of technical, operational, procedure, etc.. Graham must have memory like an elephant. (That is meant as a compliment). I love "nerd" editions like this of documentaries. Huge credit to the interviewer for letting Graham talk without interruptions. All three parts of the documentary is very well made. Great job, great plane.
Coming from Norway it is fun to know that they used to refuel along the coast of Norway. It's strange to know that I've been so close to a SR-71 without knowing it. "Bodo" as Graham calls Bodø is actually "Bodø flyplass (airport)" but since the English alphabet doesn't have "ø" using it can lead to confusion and misunderstandings when pronouncing it. I've heard many other foreign pilots calls it "bodo". The airport code for Bodøy is "BOO".
Fun fact: An SR-71 had to make an emergency landing there, you can read about it here. Norway was one of the first countries to join NATO so that wasn't any issue, but Norway was, at the time, also the only country sharing border with Russia (USSR) so no one, neither the Norwegian or American authorities was happy about this. But they got plane running and up in the airagain the next day so everything went smoothly. foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/that-time-an-sr-71-made-an-emergency-landing-in-norway-1765436508foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/that-time-an-sr-71-made-an-emergency-landing-in-norway-1765436508
Greetings from Norway!
I had the pleasure to meet this man. Very nice man. He is very cool to talk too
He really is a gentleman
those AOA limits are insane. mad skills these pilots trained, exercised, and executed. God Bless !
wow the best time spent on UA-cam in a long time.
Cant complain about the noise from the children, They are the replacements!
Everybody is an operator until the operator shows up!
This was the golden age of aviation: Sr71, X15. Nothing has "flown" faster with a human at the controls. Developed some 60+ years ago and counting.
Randy Schmidt nothing that we know of.. Area 51 probably houses planes twice as fast
This pilot is the real national treasure.
They used to fly over Southern Idaho in the early 80's. I always loved the sonic booms which rattled our school's windows.
Your welcome, we sure had a great time doing it.
Col. Graham thank you for sharing your incredible stories. Thank you for your service and your sacrifices. I learned so much from this great expose.
Back in the late 80's and early 90's before the aircraft was retired, I was privileged to watch as it took off for missions, I live in Newmarket, between Cambridge and Mildenhall in the UK.
We'd hear the rumble of the engines first and then as we looked towards Mildenhall we'd see the stunning black shape almost vertical with 2 long plumes of blue afterburner behind it.
This usually happened early morning.
Sometimes we were lucky enough to see an SR71 return from a mission as it would circle on approach over the town of Newmarket occasionally.
We used to drive out to Mildenhall sometimes and on the small back roads in the village of "Beck Row", behind Mildenhall base you could clearly see the SR71 "Sheds".
They are still there but they don't have the Silhouette of the SR71 above the main door as they used to. The base is now home to the Osprey, KC135's, C5's etc.
Amazing documentary thank you.
What a delight it is to hear this man speak. Absolutely fantastic explanations and stories! Thank you so much for posting this
This was the most interesting and amazing thing I have watched in a long time. Thanks for posting it.
+Ken Porter Glad you liked it Ken.
Once u start watching this..u can't stop
I love this Air Force series. I spent 22 years in the Air Force as an Avionics Sensor System Technician. Retired from Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. I really miss it.
Tough job and such incredible dedication. Decades of service and never been shutdown. And still the fastest ever in service, enormously impresive than, now in 2023 no less. Bravo to all involved!
Richard Graham is so informative, i have watched the video multiple times and kearn something new everytime. Defiantly my favorite
+William Carter Thanks for watching it. Glad you like it. It was fun making it.
Thank you.
Fascinating.
So hard to find detailed interviews like this.
This beautiful plane has haunted my dreams since one showed up on static display at the Huntsville Space & Rocket Center in the late 90's.
We went to see Richard Graham when he spoke at an IEEE meeting hosted by Pratt & Whitney. There were several 80+ year old former SR-71 engine development managers there. It was like a reunion.
Only my wife’s uncle, who knew all about the fuel from his work at Shell Oil, was missing. I never did get his explanation before he passed away. But as he told me, I wouldn’t have understood it anyway.
Col. Graham was an unassuming man and very friendly and open to everyone.
At our table was a former Russian military guy. He told us how they marveled at how easily some American guy defected by just getting on a plane and flying to Moscow. The reverse trip was not that easily accomplished!
Col. Graham told us how his periscope went up and his backseater’s periscope went down. He told us that when he flew close to the Soviet coast, his backseater would count the MiGs as they circled up and fell far short of them. He said he would sometimes dump a cloud of fuel to make it easier for the Soviet pilots to see them! That’s the trust they placed in their plane.
It was an amazing evening.
Love this... He is my CFI and I respect him SOOO MUCH!
What a great interview. Amazingly smart and accomplished man!
This the most amazing historic piece ever, Graham has an voice you can listen to all day, you just can image his calm voice in the middle of an emergency...wow as a comander and a pilot must have been amazing. You just want to meet and know people like him in your life.
I was there on Okinawa 603rd MASSQ 2/71 - 8/72.....seen Habu fly for 18 months. Seen all you are talking about. Awesome.....
Yes “the performance of the airplane is very good.” Understatement of the year.
we are fortunate to have the pilot's message for the most amazing flight program!
My dad was a Green Beret, Harve W. SAAL, he unfortunately passed of cancer, at 57, derived from wearing Dioxin, for aprox. 2 weeks. Thank you for your Service #GoldStarFamilies #MACvSOG ⭐🌟🚀
I am from India it is one of the extraordinary interview I ever watched from extraordinary pilot...Hats off Sir..
I've listened to this interview three times now. What a great interview.
This interview is a perfect example of the power of UA-cam. Thanks for posting!
+larryl212 Your welcome
at 13:35 - the colonel sits with the model on his lap gently stroking it. His affection for the SR-71 is palpable and what a fantastic set of stories he's able to tell so well.
Thank you for your service and taking the time to talk about your experiences. Very inspiring.
"The kind of pilot you want to be"
better than astronaught.
Great interview, but brilliant interviewee. Cogent, intelligent, thorough, an economy of words and fascinating subject matter. It's not often while listening to an interview that time flies so quickly - and we could have listened longer.
True, for a moment at the end i was looking for a part two, left me wanting more.
I met Col. Graham at his book signing at the Duxford Air Show in England, September 11, 2016. He was the first American I met in the UK. What a pleasure to meet a humble, nice man. Oh and by the way, we focus on the Apollo astronauts and the school teachers who went to space-- and that's fine---but the unsung heroes are the men who flew the U-2 and the SR-71. The Col's book is a remarkably easy read of very technical aeronautic engineering topics. Today I visited the Kalamzoo Air Zoo, home to a SR-7!B.
Having received a personally signed copy of his book as a present from my son in 2014 the video and book now mesh brilliantly. What a wonderful life he led and having wandered under the SR71 in Seattle, this now gives it life.
Thankyou Rich, I should have joined the AirForce but so happy you did.
Thank you, Erik. Thank you to Colonel Graham as well. Great video.
Listening to this man is simply great
Another interesting part of the interview is when he tells that SR71 pilots regularly flew in T38s to stay in shape, because in the SR71 flights only had to comply with procedures and checklists, and keep the platform stable for the cameras job, it was a kind of a precision flying.
I'm found wanting for a narrator closer to the actual building of these amazing planes. Great to hear of the drivers perspective, let's hear from the race engineers!