Spy plane pilot in Welshpool talk
A pilot of the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane who took part in secret missions during the height of the Cold War is giving a talk in Welshpool on May 12.
Colonel Richard Graham, who is retired from the United States Air Force, flew 210 missions during the Vietnam War before going on to spend seven years with the Blackbird, the fastest aircraft in history.
He was also for a time in charge of the U2 spy plane, and for four years worked on the Blackbird programme in the Pentagon.
He is speaking at Welshpool Town Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 and are available from the town's tourist information centre or on the door.
Proceeds are going to Welshpool Air Show and to the Salvation Army.
The Blackbird spy plane has been described as faster than a speeding bullet.
It set the world speed record in 1976 when it reached approximately Mach 3.3.
It also set the record for the highest flying manned aircraft when it reached 85,069 feet in 1976.
Although now retired, it remains the world's fastest and highest-flying manned aircraft.
