61-7981



Lockheed photo via Jay Miller, courtesy of Tony Landis

She saw a fair amount of use early in her career, and was the preferred platform for "VIP" flights.  Due to a number of reasons, her use was curtailed after several years.  Although she last flew on April 11, 1976, she remained at Beale AFB as a stand-by for 956 and was still there when the fleet was first retired in 1990.

Lockheed photo by Eric Schulzinger via Stephanie Crisanto
Lockheed photo by Eric Schulzinger via Stephanie Crisanto
981 was added as an afterthought to the famous 11-blackbird group photo arranged by Michael O'Leary and Eric Schulzinger in early February 1990.  After the above photo was taken, 981 was towed out and put with the rest of the "presentable" birds, as in the photo below.
Lockheed photo by Eric Schulzinger
Front row, L-R: 980, 960, 967; Second row, L-R: 964, 976; Third row, L-R: 975, 971, 958, 968, 962; Back row: 981. - Lockheed photo by Eric Schulzinger


Although all Blackbirds were called "habu," only four had individual nicknames; 981's was "the Bastard."  She is now on display at Hill AFB near Ogden, Utah.



Click here for photos of 981 at Hill AFB Museum



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