Defenceless, it relied on its unmatched performance to provide vital data for the USA and NATO on some of the most sensitive parts of the globe. One of the regular missions flown by the SR71 Blackbird out of a base in the United Kingdom, RAF Mildenhall, was East across the North and Baltic Seas towards the territories of the Soviet Union; these flights were known as the Baltic Express. All went until one day…

The SR71 at Mildenhall

The original A12

The Baltic Express track

The Saab 29, nicknamed the Tunnan

The Draken

The Saab AJS 37 Viggen

The Vig was also capable of operating from unusual locations

Shockwave formation during an unstart.

An SR71 pilot in his pressure suit

The Mig 25 Foxbat

Three of the 4 Viggen pilots involved receive their Air Medals

Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the Digital Public Library of America, USAF, John5199, Blockhaj, Alan Wilson, Guenter KONZ-BEYER Bad Erlach, NASA, Alex Beltyukov, Defence Imagery and the US Gov.