U-2 / SR-71 / D-21 – PDF

Throughout the Cold War, the United States relied on advanced aerial reconnaissance to monitor military developments, nuclear weapons programs, and strategic installations around the world. To accomplish these missions, Lockheed’s legendary Skunk Works developed a family of revolutionary reconnaissance aircraft that could operate beyond the reach of most enemy defenses. The U-2 Dragon Lady, SR-71 Blackbird, and D-21 reconnaissance drone each represented a different approach to gathering intelligence while advancing the limits of aerospace engineering.

The Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady entered service during the 1950s as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft capable of photographing targets deep inside denied territory. Its missions provided invaluable intelligence during events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and helped shape American strategic planning throughout the Cold War. Continually modernized, the U-2 remains in operational service today.

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird built upon decades of reconnaissance experience by combining extreme altitude with sustained speeds exceeding Mach 3. Operating around the globe, the Blackbird gathered strategic intelligence while remaining one of the fastest aircraft ever placed into operational service. Its remarkable performance and advanced technology made it one of the defining aircraft of the Cold War.

Completing this collection is the Lockheed D-21, an unmanned reconnaissance drone originally developed to conduct extremely high-risk intelligence missions over heavily defended territory. Launched from specially modified aircraft, the D-21 flew at speeds exceeding Mach 3 before returning its reconnaissance package for recovery. Although its operational career was brief, the D-21 pioneered concepts that helped shape the future of unmanned aerial reconnaissance and remains one of the most ambitious surveillance projects of the Cold War.

Together, these three aircraft represent the evolution of American strategic reconnaissance—from high-altitude manned surveillance to high-speed intelligence gathering and finally to unmanned reconnaissance. Their contributions provided critical intelligence throughout the Cold War and helped establish many of the technologies that continue to influence modern surveillance aircraft today.

What’s Included For Each Aircraft:

• 4 1.5” square counter images
• 8 1” square counter images
• 11 .75” square counter images
• 13 .625” square counter images
• Numbered Images to assist with game organization and tracking
• Printable PDF format for personal gaming use

Each image size is contained on a ½ sheet.

• Enables users to save paper and print 2 types of aircraft on the same page.
• Print one set of aircraft images then reverse the page in the printer and print a second type of your choice on the same page.