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Ok, so I heard a similar story from a SR-71 pilot that went like this:

A SR-71 was entering LA control control space and was listening to the chatter of pilots requesting various altitude changes, so the pilot of the Blackbird decided to have some fun.

He called ATC and requested Angels 7-0 (I think this correct: 70,000 feet). LA control came back and said smirkingly, "Ok, if you think you can reach it, you're cleared for Angels 7-0."

"Roger LA ATC," the pilot came back, "Descending to Angels 7-0".


Dunno if it's true or not, but it's a story.

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I just came across a really cool SR-71 story - http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-sr-71-blackbirds-most-spectacular-flyover-was-also-1719654907

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Minor (admittedly pedantic) nit: the plane on display on the Intrepid is an A-12, not an SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 is slightly longer and heavier, and can carry a larger sensor payload while the A-12 can fly faster and higher, but they are otherwise fairly similar (the Blackbird is a refinement of the A-12).

Still the closest many of us are ever going to get to a real SR-71 though.

And I second ChaosEngine's recommendation: if you are an aviation buff, the Intrepid is definitely worth a visit. The shuttle is really impressive up close too; it's amazing they got something so big and truck-like off the ground.

The writers of Real Genius had the same idea!
http://youtu.be/rthHSISkM7A

(though it wasn't on a Blackbird)

It was built in the 1960s, but the actual SR-71 design and prototyping of some of the new concepts were done in the 50's.

Here's one mention of it: http://www.space.com/16666-sr-71-blackbird.html

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Myth. Who could have been in a position to want to "put" something on a Blackbird and not known that planes can (and do) run into their own bullets already at speeds close to the speed of sound?

1960's actually, but no less impressive for that.

The blackbird is just an incredible machine. When I was a kid, one of my lifes ambitions was to fly one. Sadly, I'll never get to do that, but I did get to see one in person on the USS Intrepid in New York. Also they have a Space Shuttle there! I highly recommend it.

Looks like a bit shorter version of

http://videosift.com/video/When-Blackbirds-Attack

Second coolest plane the US ever made, right after the SR-71 Blackbird. It was a truly sad day when they decided to retire these.