I would seriously consider this

Originally posted by cerebus
Hmmm. Yeager and the rest of the guys who flew out of Edwards AFB might disagree. The X-15 springs to mind... some guy flew at over Mach 6 in that thing if I remember right.

Now if you meant "fastest production plane", then you've got a case for the Blackbird

I knew someone was going to contradict me with the X-15. The X-15 is not actually a plane it is a rocket... albeit a "manned" rocket. It has to be flown on the under wing of another aircraft to the desired altitude and then it is dropped. The rocket then flies at Mach 6.7 (4,520 mph).

However, as I said before, the fastest jet in history is the SR-71 (Blackbird).

Are you sure they actually let you fly the plane? Seems to me like you just get to be the passenger. Doesnt flying one of those things require an awful lot of training?

Yes you actually get to fly the plane. The test pilot takes off and lands the plane but you get to take the controls (for only a few minutes I imagine). It's not difficult... you wouldn't be doing high turns or loop the loops or anything.

It EXPANDS not shrinks and not by as much as you say.
The SR71 was based on the YF? which was a fighter and had Hughes Falcon? semi recessed missiles.

XR-70 is faster over long distances 'cos it don't have to refuel and Mig 25 (built to shoot down the XB-70) and the SU-T4 aren't that much slower.

Anyway the Shuttle does Mach 17+ on re-entry... and has the longest range...

I didn't check the full facts on the expansion but having checked the facts the Blackbird's hull expand's a few inches, due to the emense heat applied to the titanium frame and skin.

Also the shuttle is a rocket not a plane.