LA SPEED STORY - SR-71 Pilot Brian Shul USAF REACTION!! | OFFICE BLOKES REACT!! 

There's actually kind of a part two to that and it's called SR-71 permission to buzz the tower... It's a pretty funny story as well

2,000kts is roughly 2,300mph

In 1974, a SR-71 set a speed record flying from New York to London in 1 hour 54 minutes and 56 seconds, for an average speed of 1,806.96 mph. After about 10 days at the Farnborough Air Show that same aircraft flew from London to Los Angeles, a distance of 5,446.87 miles in just 3 hours, 47 minutes, 39 seconds.

Cool SR-71 fact… when the plane is sitting on the tarmac, it leaks fuel. Only when it reaches high speeds and the air friction heats the airframe, do the engines expand and seal off the leaks. The engineers factored this in over 60 years ago.

Brian is a motivational speaker. His military career was outstanding but not always glamorous. He survived a shoot down in Vietnam and was not expected to live or even walk or talk ever again. But he found the strength to survive and continue his awesome career in the USAF. I'm glad to have watched his videos of him speaking. 🇺🇲

I’ve heard this story many times and it always makes me smile. 🤗

2000 knots is over 2,300 miles per hour. Glad to hear you guys react to this. One of my favs LA Speed Check

It's nice that now that the SR-71 has been declassified these pilots can finally tell these kind of stories, even though most if not all actual missions are still classified

SR-71s used to fly out of RAF Mildenhall in the UK when I was stationed there in the 1980s. You could feel the ground shake from a mile away when one took off.

Maverick in a Tomcat: I feel the need for SPEED! Major Shul: No you don't.

Brian Shul has a bunch of content on RU-vid. He was shot down over Vietnam and was horribly injured. He recovered and beat the odds by becoming a Blackbird pilot. Amazing man.

2,000 Knots = 3,704 Kilometers Per Hour for our friends outside of The United States.

I grew up in Sacramento. In the 80s when the plane was still in operations you could see it flying over all the time when it would land and take off from the AF base in the city. Super loud and as a kid really awesome to see all the time.

What's absolutely crazy is the first SR71 project was called "Archangel" and began in the second quarter of 1958, first flew in 1964 and has exceeded mach 3.24 or 2486 miles per hour! As a comparison, the Gatling cannon on an A10 fires the bullets that spit out at a mere 2266Mph!

4,000 missiles have been fired at the SR-71, none came close. As soon as they were alerted to a missile, they would just throttle up and out run it.

Once, my daughter and I had gone on one of our many weekend road trips, this one to Death Valley. We were coming home at night via Trona and Pinnacles. We had the radio on and we’re driving about 70mph. Didn’t notice at first, but a jet had pulled up what seemed right next to us. I’m sure it made noise but we didn’t hear it. How it was flying so slowly I do not know, unless it had vector control. We couldn’t really see the plane, only the lit cockpit. The pilot was just looking at us, probably at my teenage daughter, and not long after we noticed him, the jet just accelerated and disappeared. We never noticed any noise. That’s near China Lake, a notorious testing area. I’m pretty sure this pilot was out doing a night joyride, getting in his dark hours. 15 years later, we still talk about those 15-20 seconds.

I've listened to that story multiple times... it never gets old. He is a great story teller- with real stories to tell.

I used to be stationed at that base the SR-71 came from!

Brian is quick to point out that Walter is the guy on the left. He also states that Walter was the only African American engineer pilot to fly the sr-71.

Designed by Kelly Johnson, the greatest aerospace designer to ever live.

Check out some of the SR-71 pilot videos, where they talk about their non-recon roles. They were apparently used one night in Vietnam to signal prisoners in Hanoi to escape by their sonic boom. Also they were apparently used by some US presidents to give a political signal with the sonic booms letting a country's leaders know that "HEY, we're watching you". Great stuff

As far as I know, the British military did order 50 or so F-35Bs so y'alls carriers will actually have stealth strike fighters (also replacing harriers and such). But I think the most well known domestic development is paced for 2040-50 to replace the typhoons.

Here's the crazy thing about the SR71. Even though it has the official speed record for an airplane, that's not even remotely how fast it can go. Remember, most of everything surrounding the SR71 is still classified. And the last thing they'd want anyone to know is how fast it can really go.

This is one of those ones that just doesn't get old no matter how many times you hear it.

This was amazing. The way pilots talk is relaxing and calming.

Saw the Blackbird at UK air shows many times in the '80s. It was and always will be the greatest. Nothing like it before or since. Brian Shul was at RAF Mildenhall when the SR71 was based there. This film is from a talk he gave about his career and how he nearly died following being shot down, not in a Blackbird. Find the whole talk and listen to an amazing story. He says a rifle bullet exits the muzzle at 3100 feet per second. The Blackbird could accelerate at 3200 feet per second...in a climb. It's one of the best aviation stories you'll ever hear. Enjoy! If you want to see one close up, there's one in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. And you can reach up and touch it, something you could never do when it was in service.

I lived across the street from a former Viet Nam-era SR-71 pilot. I didn’t know him well, but I loved his stories!

I worked with Captain Brian Shul at Beale AFB, CA. All of the SR-71 crewmembers were pretty cool. Beginning with the pre-flight physical, it was all business and a professional relationship. After years at Beale AFB, Kadina AFB and RAF Mildenhall, the SR-71 never became "routine." Both the aircraft crewmembers and groundcrew knew that they were making a difference.

When you consider that this plane was designed and built in mid 60's makes it even more incredible. Essentially a flying fuel tank. I consider it to be the greatest plane ever built. Bravo Skunkworks.

This is a clip from a great video, " From Butterflies to Blackbirds" Brian Shul speaking at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories. It is too long ( just over an hour ) to do a reaction, but anyone that has not seen it needs to watch it. He does a really great job keeping it interesting and amusing. Even my wife, who is not into aviation ( even though I was an aviation mechanic in the Marines for 21 years ) loved the whole thing.

Many years ago I worked at NASA Dryden which is now NASA Armstrong, we had an SR 71 (dual seater/family model) on site. I knew a few of the pilots and the flight suits looked more like spacesuits. That is my favorite airplane. The rumble you feel in your chest when it’s doing a flyby is incredible.

I agree with those who've heard this before and are commenting it's fun to hear it again at times. I worked the SR while in England and yes, it's every bit as cool as you could imagine.

Guys, for a bit of perspective, that journey they do in 2 hours and 21 minutes is almost 4500 miles if you were to drive it

This story never gets old.

I remember him telling this story at my leadership camp in the summer in high school. You guys should really check out his life story. It’s amazing

While pulling C-130 rotation with Bravo Squadron at RAF Mildenhall we were able to watch the SR's takeoff and land a lot and it was amazing..

Great story. I live in Fresno, CA. Several times during the day we hear the jet fighters from the Lemoore base go overhead so his story made me chuckle because i never once thought that maybe those pilots are just trying to impress us civilians on the ground.

I saw a SR-71 while stationed at Barksdale AFB LA. It is an awesome looking aircraft. Working on the flight line allowed me a very up close look.

Blue Skies and Bright Stars to Brian Shul... he was a great storyteller and an even better shutterbug...

Such a great story and he tells it perfectly

Having a rough morning and this video made my day.thanks guys

I saw these flying from Kadena Air Base when I was stationed on Okinawa a million years ago. Cool story, too. I would've made the ATC guy repeat his speed.

100 Knots = 115mph so 2K knots would be 2300mph or 3705 kilometers per hour. I attended the "Official" USAF retirement tour of the SR 71 at the Boeing Museum of Flight in Sea-Tac around 1987. Brian Shul was the presenter. He was injured so badly in a Shootdown over Vietnam they told him he'd never Fly again. Brian is the type of guy who just gets more motivated when you tell him he'll never be able to do something again. This next bit has been disputed but he did say, near the end of his presentation, that the SR 71 was actually capable of Mach 4.5. True Story. The creator of this record holding Aircraft was the Lead Aeronautical Engineer @ Lockheed Martin's "Skunkworks", Kelly Johnson. He created some of the most successful & unique A/C the U.S. Military & CIA ever operated. The "Connie" was a fav of mine. The Lockheed Constellation series was the first pressurized-cabin civil airliner series to go into widespread use.

Blackbirds were the coolest planes ever built. It just doesn't get any more badass.

SR-71 Blackbird...The official modified aircraft of *The Uncanny X-Men* (designed to seat seven, yet able to endure 14 mutants).

There's an SR-71 in a museum close to me in Virginia. There's so much cool stuff there - from early flight to spaceships. But nothing is nearly as stunning as the Blackbird. It's the prettiest and sleekest vehicle I've ever seen

This aircraft first flew almost 60 years ago. Can you imagine what they have now? Tic Tac anyone?

That Clip came from (Author Brian Shul on piloting the SR-71) he is retired and is actually doing a seminar to to a group for his book I believe.

There’s also a story about an ATC worker asking a SR-71 pilot if he could go to 6,000 ft. And the pilot answered, yeah, I can drop that low.

The SR-71 set records that still stands to this day. This aircraft was designed and built in the 1960's by engineers using slide rules. The irony is that no one today knows how to build one anymore because after all SR-71 were built (and there are only 32 of them), the tools and machineries used were deliberately destroyed to keep anyone from stealing the design and build one.

Built with slide rule... fucking amazing.. Thank you Kelly Johnson

Ive had the pleasure of seeing to sr71's. One was on display at the NASA space camp in huntsville alabama circa 96 or 97. There was also one on display for a bit at the aviation museum in Mobile, Al at battlefield park, where the USS Alabama is docked as a museum.

My father was crew chief on that beautiful bird. My husband and I built a 8 foot model of it for his front yard.

Brian schull has a 52 minute video about him being in Vietnam being shut down being badly burned almost retiring out of the Air Force and then working his way back into the Air Force and become an SR71 pilot fascinating video you gotta do a 2 part series on that because it's 52 minutes Video. You Won't Regret it!!!

I wonder how hard it was not to laugh, hearing that go down over the radio?? 😂😂

Like holding a Royal Flush in Poker. Never get tired of hearing that story

We live in Palmdale, CA, about 5 miles from the FAA L.A. Center, and near USAF Plant 42 where the SR71 was built at Lockheed Skunk Works. I saw a Northrop Grumman U2 spy plane fly around at very low altitude a few weeks ago. It was pretty awesome.

Brian is not just talking to military recruits, he is a motivation speaker and photographer speaking mostly about his life, including recovering from severe burns when his jet crashed over Vietnam. His entire speech is about an hour long, and his speeches with his backseater is about 90 minutes long. Both had obstacles to overcome and both preach positive outlook on life.

I’ve heard this numerous times, and it never get old.

These things weren't even "stealth" aircraft. They were built to outrun anything trying to shoot them down. They could outrun any missile or anti-aircraft weapon fired at them.

Y'all could do a few posts on this guy COL Brian shul, he has a great story and talks about his career in the USAF and how he buzzed the tower in California and got in trouble by his Commanding officer because people were diving under desks and the whole building is shaking.He also has funny stories about the lenghts he went to legally photagraph this majestic top secret airplane.

I met Brian at the Air Force's 50th anniversary weekend and he signed his book "Sled Driver" for me. He was a friendly and inspirational guy.

One of my Favourite SR-71 stories.

Brian Shul is an American hero. Awesome career flying the SR-71 and many others.

Oh shit i asked for this a while ago i didnt think you guys would actually do it you guys are the best

This made my day😄 Thanks guys.

I had heard a corollary to this story where after the SR-71 called for a speed check a faint radio broadcast came through and Space Shuttle Discovery on approach to landing called in for an air speed check. Nothing moves faster than something falling out of orbit.

His entire story is amazing. He tours and tells it.

Beal AFB, Idaho, Montana, Denver, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and Seattle in TWO HOURS AND TWENTY-ONE MINUTES. For fuck's holy sake that is faaaaaaaast.

Just checked the conversion and 2000 knots is 2301.559 mph or 3704 kph. I've been a fan of the SR-71 since I was a kid. I got my draft card in 1975. So that's a long time. Beautiful bird, simply amazing in its capabilities, and just damned sexy. LOVE this story. I have to go back and listen to it fairly often. Yes, he is a great storyteller. I'm an old Army guy, but I think the SR-71, the A-10 Warthog, and that classic bird, the C-130, are just awesome and very capable aircraft.

There exists an hour long video of where he came from. The absolute hell he experienced as a pilot before setting foot in an SR71. I cannot remember the name of said video however searching his name on RU-vid should work. Pretty fascinating man

Yes, the UK has stealth aircraft. The Royal Navy and RAF are both operating the F-35 B, and the UK is one of the original development partners in the program.

I remember being stationed at Camp Hanson on Okinawa. The Habu ( the SR-71 based at Kadena AFB flew over the camp a few times - always so quiet as it passed overhead. Like 10 seconds later, ROARRRR!, as the engine noise caught up. . . Always a sight!

Here's something to think about, the SR71 'Blackbird' was designed in the early 1960's, at the time there was no computer design, it was all done with slide rules.

I was talking with a guest SR-71 pilot at the Museum of Flight in Seattle a few years back. He said they had body guards in Vietnam because they knew so much classified information... turns out years and years later he found out his "body guard" was ordered to shoot him if he is being taken prisoner.

Brian Shull is a motivational speaker now.

One of my favorite SR stories is about their replacement crew coming in to Kadena AFB so they meet up for have a Friday night drink go to bed, get up Saturday to fly back to California and land in California in time to have a Friday night drink in California landing before they left Kadena.

Hey office blokes, you do have stealth. You have the F-35 now. And for the record I had the pleasure of a RAF pilot being on our team back in the days of the F-117.

Great story. Always a classic

You guys do have stealth. You bought the F-35C Lightning II from the U.S, which is currently deployed aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth along with a US Marine Corps F-35C Squadron.

God knows how many times I have heard this, but i had a good laugh... all the time...

Always fun to listen to

That's my BLACKBIRD....I love that plane❤️

Did anyone else notice that the ATC footage is from Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Another great story of the SR-71 happened in 1987 when one had an engine go out near Russia and the Swedish Air Force saved the plane and crew from possible shoot-down and capture. There are a couple RU-vid vids on the incident. Recently the pilots were awarded medals from the US for their bravery in helping the US crew out.

If you want to hear a truly inspirational story check our Brian Shul's long speech, From Butterfly to Blackbird. It's the story of how he recovered from life threatening burns as a Vietnam fighter pilot to flying the SR-71. About an hour as I recall, but well worth it. The guy is smart and funny as hell. He also has published photos from and of the Blackbird. Amazing aircraft and and a remarkable man.

The SR-71 is my favorite plane! My brother worked at Wright-Patt AFB and saw the Blackbird land and takeoff!

1 Knot is equal to 1.151 MPH so 1992 Knots is equal to 2292.3527 MPH. Also, that route he gave is approximately 4500 to 5000 miles. If driven in a car, it would take 79 hours to complete the trip with only driving counted.

You guys can actually see an SR-71 at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. I think it’s the only SR-71 on display outside the US.

Knots are nautical miles per hour. A nautical mile corresponds to 1 minute of latitude; that is, 1/60th of one degree of the earth's circumference, which is about 1.151 miles. (Earth's circumference is roughly 24,900 miles. Divided by 360 degrees, that's a little over 69 miles per 1 degree of circumference. Divided by 60 minutes of latitude, that's roughly 1.15, a nautical mile.) So your conversion rates from miles are 1 mile = 1.15 knots = 1.61 kilometers. Or from kilometers, 1 km = 0.62 miles = 0.54 knots. 2,000 knots = 2,301 mph = 3,704 kph Now you have super useful info to go impress your friends with.

THAT was VERY cool! The Hornet thought he was top dog! Not so fast, little one! There's a BIGGER dog above you! Since I'm retired AF, it was even COOLER!

Never gets old

Built in the 60s the sr71 is the only reconnaissance plane to have never been shot down, all the way up to the program being shut down in the 90s

My father got to see the sr71 on a regulat basis.....he was/is a marine and was stationed in japan during the 80s.......the locals called the sr 71 "habu" after the snake in okinawa......hes told me very little about it but did state that it was stored in a underground runway that would open up

Yes! Finally!

Brian shul is the pilot speaking and his story is absolutely unbelievable!! highly suggest looking up his talks

Great story & great reaction.

The SR-71...designed in the late 1950's by Kelly Johnson...is still so far ahead of it's time, it's hard to imagine. No known top speed. The idea that the "retired" that aircraft? Phhhht. Sure. SURE they did.

Because of the curvature and topography of the earth, air speed doesn't equate to ground speed 1:1. So when air traffic control gives the ground speed it's in the form of the equivalent air speed so that's why they use knots (air nautical miles) rather than miles to convey how much ground they are covering. It's close, but not exact. (In this case, they are travelling much faster than 1992 miles per hour.)

And the program developing this tech started in the 1950s! And knots to mph - 1,992 knots is 2,292 mph or 3,689 kph!