The SR-71 was the most extraordinary aircraft ever flown, and it first flew in 1964, only 19 years after WW 2.

I saw one at the air and space museum in the DC area. It’s astonishing. I love the story about how when they decided to put it in the museum the plane was in California so they had to fly it back. So they said, what the hell, let’s go for a new cross-country speed record for a fixed wing aircraft. They flew it there in an hour! That’s a great way to go out!