Lot 784 - SR-71 Blackbird Titanium Hull and support Relics, from No. 61-7970

Description

T
he Black Bird relics were
recovered in 2013 from the crash site of SR-71A, No. 61-7970.
The item in the upper part of each  photo is an interesting piece of Hull Titanium. It is a hinged piece that shows it was once part of a larger access panel. The item located at the bottom in each photo is a second hull relic that still supports the Black Paint of the SR-71 Program. The final relic is a 4 1/2 inch piece of Titanium support. The items were shattered and twisted in the crash, bearing mute testimony of the destructive energy that was released when the spy plane smashed into the West Texas Desert! No. 970 crashed on June 17, 1970 after colliding with a KC-135Q tanker during refueling. The collision tore open the pilot's compartment and destroyed flight controls forcing the Black Bird crew to abandon their stricken aircraft. When the spy plane smashed into the desert in far West Texas, the engines were still set at cruising speed. The impact gouged out a two story deep crater in the desert floor and produced an explosion and mushroom cloud that could be seen over 20 miles away. A Letter of Provenance detailing the search for 970's crash site and the 2013 recovery of artifacts will be provided to the winning bidder.
Note to international buyers - The posted shipping is for domestic shipping to the eBay International Shipping Hub in Erlanger, Ky. After the auction is complete, eBay will assess additional fees for international shipping.