The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird remains to this day the most sophisticated manned spyplane ever built and operated. It grew from the CIA-funded A-12, which made its maiden flight at the legendary Area 51 on 26 April 1962. The A-12 was developed into the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, but not before its siblings, the F-12 and M-21 were created. These four very different yet closely related aircraft form the Blackbird series.

The author has closely researched this extraordinarily advanced family of aircraft and this book includes full details of their design, manufacture and thirty-year service with the American Central Intelligence Agency, Us Air Force Strategic Air Command and NASA.

Foreword by Brian Shul, SR-71 pilot and author of his best-selling book Sled Driver.