We're all pretty excited about the Red Bull-sponsored supersonic, stratospheric jump that Felix Baumgartner will be making this weekend. And while Baumgartner will likely be setting all sorts of man-outside-of-an-airplane speed records, it's worth looking back at the man who did it first, back in 1966. Even if doing it …

In a giganormous wooden box, that's how. This is how Lockheed Martin was transporting this ultra-secret A-12 OXCART—the precursor of the SR-71 Blackbird— developed under the supervision of the CIA.

Ford brought a stealth version of its Police Interceptor to SEMA, sporting blacked-out lenses, a one-inch suspension drop and wider tires. Perfect for undercover work, except for, you know, the chrome-rimmed wheels and bright-red brake calipers.

Just for fun, here's a 1965 AMC Marlin parked in front of a decommissioned Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Interesting fact: the two are roughly the same age — the Blackbird was introduced into service in 1966. [AMCRC]

Because if you had eleven SR-71 Blackbirds, you'd arrange 'em all pretty and take a nice picture, too. And then you'd go hauling off into the sky like a supersonic, globetrotting bat out of hell. Technology rocks. [Lockheed Martin/Flickr]

Fifty years ago this month, Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the USSR in his Lockheed U-2. The legendary spy plane outlived its successor and is still flying today. To paraphrase Iceman, "We like you because you're dangerous." Amen.

We've read what it feels like to fly the SR-71 Blackbird. Now learn how to do it yourself. Here's the Air Force's official, and recently declassified, operations manual for the gorgeous, evil-looking spy plane. Who wants to go 2112 mph?

Although it may look like the Rebel Alliance factory floor, those are SR-71 Blackbirds being built. We lovingly lifted the shot from Gizmodo's cool feature yesterday — written by an actual Blackbird pilot. Check it out if you haven't already.