Buz Carpenter wows the crowd

Buz Carpenter, right, talks to board member Ted Cooper after the meeting.

Air Force Academy grad and retired Col. Buz Carpenter was the Museum's guest lecturer Nov. 7 as part of the Monday Speaker Series. He answered a barrage of questions from the audience and after giving a first-hand look at the exotic bird. He gave a special tribute to "Kelly" Johnson, the engineer behind the Blackbird and many other iconic aircraft.  Buz logged nearly 700 hours in the SR-71 as a pilot and instructor.  The "Blackbird" cruised at 2,100 miles per hour as the nation's premiere reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71 he flew is now on display at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Buz also flew the C-141, RF-4C, and T-38 aircraft, while flying 150 combat missions in Vietnam.
Before the talk, the took a tour of the museum's flight line at Strawberry Point and pointed out all the aircraft he had piloted or had taken a ride in.

Buz Carpenter at the Museum

Air Force Academy grad and retired Col. Buz Carpenter will be the Museum's guest lecturer Nov. 7 as part of the Monday Speaker Series. He logged nearly 700 hours in the SR-71 as a pilot and instructor.  The "Blackbird" cruised at 2,100 miles per hour as the nation's premiere reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71 he flew is now on display at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Buz also flew the C-141, RF-4C, and T-38 aircraft, while flying 150 combat missions in Vietnam.
The 7 PM talk is FREE and open to the public at the Lockheed Martin auditorium, 2323 Eastern Blvd. Middle River 21220. You need a photo ID and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.