BLACKBIRD ANNIVERSARY AND LAURELS INDUCTION DRAW

LARGE CROWDS

On April 27, over 1400 enthusiastic visitors attended the Lockheed A-12 Blackbird 40th anniversary celebration at the AFFTC Museum's Blackbird Airpark Annex at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale. Visitors were not deterred by strong winds and cool temperatures as they roamed the airpark enjoying a variety of activities. Many took the opportunity to sit in the once-top secret cockpits of the airpark’s two Blackbirds. For most, it was the first time they’d seen the crew stations of the aircraft; however, for others, the cockpits were all too familiar—particularly among the eight former A-12 pilots in attendance.

One of those pilots, Mr. Lou Schalk, completed the first flight of the A-12 on April 26, 1962. The very same Blackbird Schalk piloted that day is now proudly displayed at the Blackbird Airpark, along with it’s successor, the SR-71 and the once-ultra-secret D-21 drone. Last year, a Lockheed U-2 was added to the display. The airpark is the only place in the world where all these aircraft can been seen together. The airpark is managed by the AFFTC Museum and is manned by AFFTC Museum volunteers. In a large tent set up for the day, visitors stood in line to chat with Blackbird pilots, while seeking autographs on books, photos, clothing, models—even salvaged Blackbird hardware. Former Blackbird crew members, maintainers, and engineers also shared their experiences with the public. Anniversary souvenirs were a hot item during the day; particularly the many different books that were available.

Two noted authors were present to sign copies of their books; Mr Donn Byrnes, a former Blackbird crew member and writer of “Blackbird Rising,” and Mr. Peter Merlin, a NASA Dryden archivist, who recently penned an excellent monograph on the NASA/USAF YF-12A flight research program at Edwards from 1969-1979. In keeping with the 40th anniversary theme, a number of classic 1962 cars were also on display throughout the day. After the daytime anniversary event at the Blackbird Airpark, nearly 300 invited guests attended the first Blackbird Laurels Induction Banquet at the Park Plaza Convention. Hosted by the Center in Lancaster. Flight Test Historical Foundation and co-produced with the AFFTC Museum, this inaugural banquet was held to publicly recognize individuals and corporations whose accomplishments were largely known only to their compatriots—until now.

During the evening, 21 inductees—including pilots, designers, engineers, corporations, and maintainers—were presented with Blackbird Laurels medallions. Each inductee will also be recognized on a plaque in the Heritage Courtyard at the Blackbird Airpark. Among the recipients were the five living pilots from the original group of eleven that were secretly selected to fly the A-12. One of these, retired Air Force Major General Mele Vojvodich, was the banquet guest speaker; another, retired Air Force Colonel Ken Collins, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. In 1968, while temporarily assigned to the Central Intelligence Agency, both Vojvodich and Collins piloted the A-12 on combat missions over North Vietnam. Both pilots also share another A-12 experience; each had to eject from an out-of-control A-12. Also participating in the induction ceremony were California State Senator—and former X-15 pilot and AFFTC Vice Commander—Pete Knight, and Ms Alis Clausen. Ms Clausen also began the evening with what most guests felt was the absolute best rendition of our National Anthem any of them had ever heard.

You can contact Doug Nelson, Air Force Flight Test Center Museum Director, Edwards AFB, Ca. at Email: museum@edwards.af.mil