Lockheed YF-12A World Speed Record Titanium Skin Relic Display

This aircraft, serial number 60-6936, reached the world record speed at the world record altitude of 80,257.86 feet on May 1, 1965. The YF-12 was designed as an interceptor based upon the then-secret A-12 reconnaissance aircraft. On July 24, 1971, this YF-12A was involved in an accident near Edwards Air Force Base. This piece of original titanium from 60-6936 was among small parts salvaged from the site. The rear portion of this aircraft was rebuilt into the world’s only SR-71C, which remains on display at Hill Aerospace Museum in Utah. 

The Lockheed YF-12 is an American Mach 3+ capable, high-altitude interceptor prototype, developed and manufactured by American aerospace company Lockheed Corporation.

The interceptor was developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s as a potential replacement for the F-106 Delta Dart interceptor for the United States Air Force. The YF-12 was a twin-seat version of the then-secret single-seat Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft operated by the CIA. Unlike the A-12, it was be armed with air-to-air missiles. Its maiden flight was on 7 August 1963. Its existence was publicly revealed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on 24 February 1964. This move was to provide plausible deniability for the CIA-operated A-12 fleet, which closely resembled the prototype YF-12.

Each of these wall-hanging displays are signed & numbered (1 - 75, though this series is unlikely to exceed 60+/-). Artwork size is 11x17-inches, and overall size is roughly 13x19-inches.