M-21 with D-21 Drone

(SR-71 predecessor)

This is the Lockheed M-21/D-21B combination - technically 'MD-21' when they are mated.  Beautifully restored by the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, USA at the south end of Boeing Field.

The M-21 is a two seat modification of the A-12 spy aircraft, the predecessor to the SR-71 Blackbird.  Two A-12s were modified to carry the D-21 ramjet powered reconnaissance drone.  The other M-21 was lost in a launching accident in the 1960s.

The images and the explaining text were kindly contributed by Bob Harrington.

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