U-2 in-flight pix

[olroy2044]

As promised, here are some in-flight pix of the U-2. They are even worse than I remembered. They were taken with an Oly Infinity Zoom P&S at full extension--70mm. Naturally, the Air Force knew I didn't have an SLR with a long lens with me at the museum, so they sent the U-2 just to tantalize me!!









This is the tandem cockpit training version, as shown by the hump where the second cockpit is located. When they fly touch and goes (bumps and circuits, as Peter knows them ), they don't actually touch down. They power up about 10 feet off the ground, and climb away. This is made necessary by the odd landing gear. The wings are so long, that they droop when the aircraft is on the ground, so much so that the wing tips strike the ground without outrigger wheels. There is no room in the slender wings to retract those wheels. so they are jettisoned upon take-off. They are then collected by the ground crew.

Upon landing, chase vehicles take the outriggers (called "pogos") out to the airplane where they are re-inserted into the wings, so that the aircraft can maneuver on the ground. All in all, it is an extremely difficult bird to fly, with a very narrow speed window between stall and Vne (max allowable speed).

Sounds a little hairy to me!

Roy

[nikonbob]

If it makes you feel any better, they are way better than my U2 in flight photos.javascript:%20addSmiley("%20:D") Another nice catch. When you describe it as having a narrow speed window that reminds me of ultra lights. IIRC they operate the same way.

Bob

[photax]

Roy, thanks for showing your pictures and your explanations I would have asked you about the second cockpit for sure I like the pictures, I have never seen a U-2, only read about it. Come on Bob show your photos !

MIK