Eight A-12s, including the two-seat trainer, together with two AF-12 Interceptors (at the far end of the line-up), created this impressive shot at Groom Lake.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed A-12 - СШАUSA - 1962Lockheed YF-12 - СШАUSA - 1963

A-12 в черной окраске
With the exception of the “Titanium Goose" two-seat trainer, the A-12 fleet later had an overall black paint scheme to help dissipate airframe heat. This particular aircraft crashed, killing pilot Walt Ray, during a test sortie on January 5, 1967.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed A-12 - СШАUSA - 1962

All Oxcart pilots used the callsign Dutch, followed by a personalised two-digit number, during test and training sorties in the USA. Here, Ken Collins, Dutch 21, is seen wearing a David Clark S-901 full-pressure suit.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed A-12 - СШАUSA - 1962

On arrival at Palmdale the remaining A-12s were initially placed in storage. The eight interlocking aircraft seen here include the “Titanium Goose”.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed A-12 - СШАUSA - 1962

An A-12 on the production line at the Skunk Works in Burbank, California. The name of the plant was originated when Kelly Johnson and his staff were housed in temporary quarters next to a plastics factory during the XP-80 project of 1943. One of Johnson’s engineers referred to the buildings as “the Skunk Works”, after the foul-smelling factory in Al Capp’s Li’l Abner comic strip - and, much to Johnson’s chagrin, the name stuck; it is still used to this day.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed A-12 - СШАUSA - 1962

A bare-metal A-12 Cygnus returns to Area 51 after an early test flight. The name Cygnus was coined by the Oxcart pilots after the constellation, which is believed to contain a black hole.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed A-12 - СШАUSA - 1962