Air Force 1 Model Company Die-cast Model

Smithsonian Series

Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird - "61-7972," Lt. Col. Raymond E. Yielding and Lt. Col. Joseph T. Vida, USAF, March 6, 1990, “Senior Crown flight”

1:200 Scale.  Length: 6.25"

SR-71 Blackbird “61-7972” was piloted by Lt Col. Raymond E "Ed" Yielding and Lt. Col. Joseph “JT” Vida on her March 6, 1990 Senior Crown flight and set four new speed records. Today, this aircraft is housed in the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was an advanced, long-range, strategic reconnaissance aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force. It was developed from the Lockheed A-12 as a black project by Lockheed’s “Skunk Works” division in the 1960s. First flown on December 22, 1964, the SR-71 entered service in 1966. During reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 was flown at high speeds (Mach 3+) and high altitudes, allowing it to outrace any threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was to accelerate and outfly the missile. The aircraft served with the US Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 SR-71s were built; 12 were lost in accidents but none lost to enemy action. Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest manned aircraft, a record previously held by the YF-12.


Air Force 1 Model Company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, pre-built, diecast model airplanes. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. They are built using diecast metal and plastic components.

This model of a SR-71 Blackbird features: