Lockheed A-12: The CIA's Blackbird and other variants

Description

During the early years of the Cold War, the most effective way to gather strategic intelligence about the Soviet Union and its allies was manned overflight. Lockheed's U-2 was spectacularly successful in this role, however, much to the concern of US President Eisenhower, its shape meant that it could be tracked on Russian radars. Given the highly sensitive nature of such flights, the President insisted that every effort should be made to reduce to zero the U-2's radar cross section (RCS), thereby making the aircraft invisible. When this was proven to be impossible, the stage was set for a U-2 replacement. Following a competition between Lockheed and Convair, the former was declared the winner and the result was the A-12. Designed to incorporate 'stealth' features before the term was even coined, the A-12 has to date proven to be the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft ever built. This book will also cover a two-seat variation of the design built as an advanced interceptor - the YF-12.

Paul F. Crickmore is the author both of the first detailed book to be published on the SR-71 Blackbird, and of the standard reference work on the subject - the much-acclaimed Lockheed SR-71: The Secret Missions Exposed. He is an honorary member of several A-12 and SR-71 veterans' associations. Paul is also the author of the first detailed book about the F-117, written in partnership with his wife Alison and published in 1999.

"True to the title, it focuses on the development of the A-12, M-21/D-21 and the YF-12 interceptor. As a model resource book, there are valuable references including color three views...Period photographs, some never before published, reveal internal components and construction details. If you are building an A-12, or considering converting an SR-71 to an A-12, this book would prove very helpful." --IPMS/USA "...a very well done book that shows attention to research that does a great job of telling the story of this remarkable aircraft." --Scott Van Aken, www.modelinmadness.com