✈️ SR-71 Blackbird (United States): step-by-step build

The long, all-black spy plane with a pointed nose, a huge triangle wing and two tail fins.

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was an American spy plane that flew higher and faster than any other jet with a pilot. It was painted black all over. This is a Technic-parts model inspired by it, not a real jet: black beams make the long body and the wide triangle wing, two fins stand at the back, and the wheels roll when you push it.

• Level 3 of 5 (medium)
• About 40 minutes
• 24 steps, 72 parts
• Powered by: Push
• Series: Aircraft from 21 Countries

What you will learn

• Pins: Grippy or Smooth: Pins join beams together — some hold tight, some let things swing.
• Triangles Are Strong: A triangle cannot be squished — a square can.
• Axles & Wheels: A wheel on an axle turns dragging into rolling.

Parts you need

• 1 × Beam 15
• 14 × Blue long pin
• 25 × Black pin (grippy)
• 3 × Beam 9
• 5 × Beam 3
• 5 × L-beam 3×5
• 4 × L-beam 2×4
• 1 × Beam 11
• 5 × Beam 7
• 3 × Beam 5
• 1 × Axle 6
• 3 × Train wheel
• 1 × Axle 3
• 1 × Bush

Steps

1. Lay the floor of the fuselage: take a black 15-hole beam, then push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 9-hole beam onto them.
2. Lay the floor of the fuselage: push 2 black pins in and press a black 3-hole beam (the pointed nose) onto them.
3. Lay the floor of the fuselage: push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 3×5 L-beam (short leg down: the nose-wheel leg) onto them.
4. Add the roots of the wings and tailplanes: push 1 blue long pin in and press a black 2×4 L-beam (short leg up) onto them.
5. Add the roots of the wings and tailplanes: push 2 blue long pins in and press a black 2×4 L-beam (short leg up) onto them.
6. Add the roots of the wings and tailplanes: push 2 blue long pins in and press a black 3×5 L-beam (short leg down: a landing-gear leg) onto them.
7. Add the roots of the wings and tailplanes: push 2 blue long pins in and press a black 3×5 L-beam (short leg down: a landing-gear leg) onto them.
8. Add the roots of the wings and tailplanes: push 1 black pin in and press a black 2×4 L-beam (short leg up) onto them.
9. Add the roots of the wings and tailplanes: push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 2×4 L-beam (short leg up) onto them.
10. Build the spine, the cockpit and the tail: push 2 black pins in and press a black 11-hole beam onto them.
11. Build the spine, the cockpit and the tail: push 2 black pins in and press a black 7-hole beam onto them.
12. Build the spine, the cockpit and the tail: push 2 black pins in and press a dark grey 5-hole beam (the bubble canopy) onto them.
13. Stand up the two tail fins: slide a black 3×5 L-beam (short leg up: a tail fin) onto the blue pins that stick out, then slide a black 3×5 L-beam (short leg up: a tail fin) onto the blue pins that stick out.
14. Stand up the two tail fins: push 2 black pins in and press a dark grey 3-hole beam standing up on the fin onto them.
15. Stand up the two tail fins: push 2 black pins in and press a dark grey 3-hole beam standing up on the fin onto them.
16. Build the wings: push 1 black pin in and press a black 7-hole beam onto them, then slide a black 7-hole beam onto the blue pins that stick out.
17. Build the wings: push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 9-hole beam onto them.
18. Build the wings: push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 9-hole beam onto them.
19. Build the wings: push 1 black pin in and press a dark grey 7-hole beam onto them, then push 1 black pin in and press a dark grey 7-hole beam onto them.
20. Build the wings: push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 5-hole beam onto them.
21. Build the wings: push 1 black pin and 1 blue long pin in and press a black 5-hole beam onto them.
22. Build the wings: push 1 black pin in and press a black 3-hole beam onto them, then push 1 black pin in and press a black 3-hole beam onto them.
23. Put on the wheels: push a 6-long axle through both legs and put a wheel on each end.
24. Put on the wheels: push a 3-long axle through the leg, with a wheel on one side and a bush on the other.

Play time

Push the jet along the floor to taxi it, then swoop it round the room in your hand!

Real-world inspiration

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the American high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft (long chined fuselage, delta wing, twin fins).

Credited demonstrations and component sources

• Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird — Wikipedia: Public reference for the real aircraft's shape and colours; this is a Technic-parts model inspired by it, not a flying or tested replica.