Oldie Photo

[tsunami_KNUW]

I've seen 2 in person, they are BLACK.

I've seen one in real life too. Wasn't there only three made?

[robbo1]

I've seen one in real life too. Wasn't there only three made?

No.

[Hagar]

I found this interesting site that should tell you all you want to know about the Blackbird variants. http://www.sr-71.org/

It appears that 50 were built including the A-12, M-21, YF-12A, SR-71A, SR-71B & SR-71C. I was surprised to see that 20 of these were lost with a number of crew fatalities.

[RIC_BARKER]

OK.  Just to clear this up once and for all!

The Blackbird is, in fact...                                INDIGO BLUE

The paint code is "FS35402 Indigo Blue"

They are indigo blue on the ground. They are indigo blue in the sky. They are indigo blue when hot. They are indigo blue when cold.

The colour actually comes from tiny Iron beads in the paint used to absorb radio waves (radar). They also have the beneficial property of acting as a heat sink for the airframe. If you ever get to see an SR-71, feel it. It's rough - that's the iron beads.

Ric B.