26 Nov
2005
26 Nov
'05
22:48
Kai Ponte wrote:
On Saturday 26 November 2005 12:11 pm, James Knott wrote:
Wasn't that the SR-71 that leaked? As a subsonic plane, the U2 wouldn't have the same thermal issues as the Blackbird.
IIRC, both. Never saw an SR-71/A12.
Well, I've never seen a U2, but I have seen the Blackbird in air shows. At mach 3, cruising speed for the Blackbird, heating due to friction is a serious problem. It is not at the speeds the U2 flies, which is similar to that at which commercial airliners fly. If it's a problem for the U2, it should be a problem for 747s, Airbus 300s etc. You don't see many of them leaking fuel all over the ground.