but a flawed machine
In what was it flawed, and how would you have overcome those flaws? Have a read of the link before offering an opinion.
Neither the "Skunk Works" or "Sled Driver" give a real insight into the aircraft. Mostly I would recommend "Lockheed Blackbird - Beyond The Secret Missions" and "SR-71 Revealed". The very best though is available on line at
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/ca...0090007797.pdf