The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird remains to this day the most sophisticated manned spyplane ever built and operated. It grew from the CIA-funded A-12, which made its maiden flight at the legendary Area 51 on 26 April 1962. The A-12 was developed into the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, but not before its siblings, the F-12 and M-21 were created. These four very different – yet closely related – aircraft form the Blackbird series.

The author has closely researched this extraordinarily advanced family of aircraft and this book includes full details of their design, manufacture and thirty-year service with the American Central Intelligence Agency, Us Air Force

Strategic Air Command and NASA. Foreword by Brian Shul, SR-71 pilot and author of his best-selling book Sled Driver.