Developed by Kelly Johnson's Lockheed Skunkworks, the first type was called the A-12 and was ordered by the CIA. The A-12 pioneered the use of major titanium structures, composite materials, and low radar cross-section technology. It required advances in design methods, fabrication techniques, and fuels. The prototype first flew in April 1962. Most of these were single seat, but two were built as two-seaters for use as drone-launchers.
The Blackbird, as it was unofficially called, looked and performed far ahead of its time. The most famous Blackbird variant, the SR-71, was developed for the USAF and flew reconnaissance missions until 1990.
The Museum's aircraft is an M-21, the first of the rare two-seat variants of the A-12. Built for the CIA program code-named "Tagboard," it carried an unpiloted D-21 drone for intelligence gathering. Two M-21 airframes were manufactured, one was lost in a D-21 launch accident in 1966.
The Museum's M-21 first flew in 1964 and is the sole surviving example of its type. It was acquired in 1991 and, with its mounted D-21 drone, is the centerpiece of the T.A. Wilson Great Gallery.
The M-21 Blackbird mug is a 15oz white mug with artwork by artist Ralph Labusch. It features a wraparound print of the aircraft carrying a D-21 Drone as displayed in the Museum's Great Gallery.
The mug is both dishwasher and microwave safe.
The Lockheed M-21 Blackbird displayed at The Museum of Flight is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.| Brand | Labusch Skywear |
|---|---|
| SKU | HSWR190077 |
