SR-71 (YF-12C) BLACKBIRD NASA 1971 1:72 HASGAWA 02486

Plastic model airplane to assemble: SR-71 (YF-12C) Blackbird NASA 1971 1:72 Hasegawa 02486

The plastic model to assemble: SR-71 (YF-12C) Blackbird NASA 1971 in 1:72 scale from Hasegawa is an excellent proposition for aviation and modeling enthusiasts. This detailed kit allows you to recreate one of the most technologically advanced aircraft in aviation history, which was used by NASA in the 1970s.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalog number: 02486
• Length of the model after assembly: 472 mm
• Color of parts: Black

The set includes decals to mark the YF-12C (SR-71A) aircraft belonging to NASA from 1971:

• YF-12C (SR-71A) NASA "06937" (1971)
• SR-71A NASA aircraft "844" (new logo/old logo)

History and background of the aircraft:

The Lockheed YF-12 is an American interceptor prototype capable of achieving speeds of Mach 3+, developed and produced by the Lockheed Corporation. This aircraft was created as a potential successor to the F-106 Delta Dart interceptor for the United States Air Force (USAF). The YF-12 was a two-seat version of the then-secret single-seat reconnaissance aircraft Lockheed A-12, used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The YF-12 was equipped with a Hughes AN/ASG-18 fire control radar and could be armed with AIM-47 Falcon air-to-air missiles. Its first flight took place on August 7, 1963, and its existence was publicly revealed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on February 24, 1964. The YF-12 set speed and altitude records, reaching over 3200 km/h and over 24,000 meters, making it the fastest and highest-flying manned interceptor in the world.

Despite its impressive performance, the YF-12 did not enter production due to budget constraints related to the Vietnam War and other military priorities. After its service in the USAF, the YF-12 was used by NASA as a research aircraft, contributing to the development of technology for future supersonic aircraft.

YF-12C version:

In 1971, NASA received an aircraft designated YF-12C for testing, which was actually the second example of the SR-71A. To maintain secrecy around the SR-71 program, this aircraft was renamed YF-12C and received a fictitious serial number. The YF-12C was used by NASA for propulsion tests until 1978, when it was returned to the Air Force.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.