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Blackbird collectible

NEW ITEMS FOK THE AVIATION ENTHUSIAST

Aviation book as an art form

Back in 1991, Brian Shul authored a book titled Sled Driver. An odd name? Well, yes - but for a purpose. One of the nick-names for the SR-71 Blackbird is "sled" and since Brian used to fly SRs, it was actually a most logical title. His relationship with the aircraft was deep and intense as Brian recalls: "The cockpit was my office. It was a place where I had experienced many emotions and learned many lessons. It was a place of work, but also a keeper of dreams. It was a place of deadly serious encounters, yet there I discovered much about life. I learned about joy and sorrow, pride and humility and fear, and overcoming fear."

Sled Driver was a success, going through four printings but the author decided he wanted to redo the book, to make it more attractive, to add new material and to create an aviation collectible - the result was Sled Driver: The Limited Edition. Brian completely redid the format, making the book horizontal so that the photographs of Blackbirds could be presented for full-frame viewing. Also, he decided to have the book bound in deluxe cloth (with a laminated inset photograph) while the pages are edged in gold and then placed inside an impressive protective case with a gold SR-71 embossed upon the cover.

To make the book even more collectible, it has been signed by Robert Gilliland, the first SR pilot, Ed Yeilding, pilot of the final record flight, the author and his RSO. Included in the slipcase is a commemorative Centennial of Flight patch and a certificate of authenticity. This is not a book about SR-71 facts and figures - it is an emotional essay about man and machine.