In 1971 I was stationed in Okinawa, about 12 miles from Kadena AFB. Most mornings a couple hours before sunrise we could hear the SR-71 taking off. In the early 2000s i worked a contractor in South Korea, our apt was 5 miles from Osan AFB and we could hear the U-2 taking off.
The Blackbird still seems like a piece of alien technology even if the cockpit is only filled with analog controls. Mind if I ask how in "awe" were you at the sight of one of those? I mean that especially considering that the general level of tech in 1971 was vastly lower in comparison to the SR-71 that even today remains untouchable.
From 1999 to 2003 I work for a company that made and supported a system on the U-2. I was on-site support at couple of Air Force bases overseas. I was surprized the first time I looked in the cockpit, the yoke was pulleys and wires to control the flaps and rudder. Because the pilot wore a pressurized suit with bulky gloves all the switches were big toggle switches and large knobs. Looked like the original style from when it was first built in the mid-50s. They are still flying.
Absolutely. There are now videos online (and manuals) for the sr-71 interface. I saw one in a museum and it's sobering taking a peek at the cockpit and thinking they were doing mach 3 in that thing with what I imagine is basically hydraulics as their basic interface.
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