Sled Driver: The Limited Edition

Flight Journal, Aug 2003

by Brian Shul. Gallery One, 515 D St., Ste. 3, Marysville, CA 95901; 168 pages; illustrated; $427; (888) 777-8383; www.SledDriver.com.

Call it what you will-Blackbird, Habu, Lady in Black, or Sled-the Lockheed SR-71, with its exotic looks and blistering speed, has kindled more emotions than almost any other aircraft. Only a few lucky souls ever got to fly it, however, and even fewer experienced that exceptionally rare VIP ride.

In 1992, a book called "Sled Driver: Flying the World's Fastest Jet," written by SR-71 pilot Brian Shul, was published. It caused quite a stir, as Shul's love for his subject clearly showed through his writing. The author's tremendous color photographs supported it splendidly. "Sled Driver" went on to achieve four printings in nine years, and it became the most popular book ever published on the SR-71.

Now, in honor of the Centennial of Flight, 3,500 copies of "Sled Driver: The Limited Edition" have been printed, and the volume has been much improved. For instance, the book has been printed in landscape (horizontal) format to better show off those wonderful color images. The text has been rewritten and expanded with some new stories. But that isn't all.

Each book is numbered and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. The book has been signed by the author and his RSO, Walt Watson; the first man to fly the SR-71, Bob Gilliland; and the pilot of the final record-breaking dash across the United States-Ed Yielding. A special embroidered patch is also included.

Priced at $427 for the serious collector, it is a superb testament to one of the finest aircraft of the 20th century.