GREENSBORO, N.C. — This year WFMY News 2 turns 75! So to celebrate our diamond year, we are opening the WFMY News 2 Vault.
On this day, back in March 1990, WFMY News 2 spoke with a man who has probably flown faster than any of us can imagine.
We're talking about the SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane — also known as the fastest plane in history.
It took its last flight before being retired by the military on March 6, 1990.
North Carolina A&T Aerospace studies professor Lieutenant Col. Walter Watson had served as a navigator in a Blackbird from 1983 to 1988.
We spoke with him about his experience and what it was like to bring that experience to North Carolina A&T.
For an idea of how fast the blackbird traveled — on its last flight, it traveled coast to coast from California to Maryland in 64 minutes and 20 seconds!
Nine of the retired Blackbirds went to museums, three were being deactivated and NASA used three for research.
If the plan looks familiar, you might recognize it from a movie! The SR-71 that set that speed record was featured in "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen," as Jetfire.
Stay connected to local, national, and breaking news: Download the WFMY News 2 app.
►Text the word APP to 336-379-5775
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.