An SR-71 Blackbird model plane signed by Chief SR-7 test pilot Bob Gilliland in white ink. Gilliand was the first man to fly the SR-71 Blackbird, the worlds fastest reconnaissance mission spy plane.

The model is 18 x 10 x 1'' and is dated "5-4-14" next to Gilliland's signature. On the opposite side of the plane is written, "First FLT SR-71 22 Dec 1964". The model shows the sleek spy plane in full detail. This lot also includes a 7 x 4.5" wooden plaque commemorating Gilliland's first flight and details about the plane.

This aircraft is an exact miniature replica of the ultra-secret plane flown by Gilliland. He made the first flight of the SR-71 on December 22, 1964, taking the aircraft to Mach 1.5 at an altitude of 50,000 feet. He would eventually end up logging more test flight time at Mach 3 than any other pilot in the world.

The Blackbird's flight would be impossible without the test flights previously conducted by Francis Gary Powers in the similar U-2 aircraft, just a few years before.

Francis Gary Powers was a distinguished pilot for the CIA's U-2 program during the height of the Cold War. Powers was arrested after his spy plane was shot down while flying a high-risk reconnaissance mission over Soviet airspace. To learn more about Powers' astounding story of survival, please visit www.guernseys.com

These items provided directly by Mr. Powers' son, expert public speaker on the U-2 Incident and Cold War History, Francis Gary Powers Jr.

Excellent Condition.