Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum - Kalamazoo, MIThe Air Zoo is a world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum with over 100 air and space artifacts, inspiring interactive exhibits, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides and hands-on, science-based camps and classes.
You can learn more about the museum and the exhibits at their website. Rich visited the Air Zoo as a special treat given to him by Carol and the family as a 76th Birthday present! |
The Exhibits
Lockheed SR-71B 'Blackbird'
The World's Only Remaining B-Model Trainer
Developed out of Lockheed’s A-12 and YF-12A aircraft, the SR-71 provided 100,000 square miles of surveillance per hour of Earth’s surface from 80,000 feet. It was designed for immunity to all known/anticipated air defenses. No one could stop it due to its supersonic speeds, extreme altitudes, radar attenuating materials, and design.
Using international shell corporations, the CIA clandestinely procured titanium from the Soviet Union to build the SR-71. Due to heightened political tensions as a result of the U-2 incident, the SR-71 never flew over the Soviet Union. But it captured sideways photos up to 400 miles along territory lines.
Using international shell corporations, the CIA clandestinely procured titanium from the Soviet Union to build the SR-71. Due to heightened political tensions as a result of the U-2 incident, the SR-71 never flew over the Soviet Union. But it captured sideways photos up to 400 miles along territory lines.