U-2 Ride

[johnastovall]

Fasten your seat belt for a fantastic ride.
This video is a once in a lifetime experience of a British civilian, James May, getting
a flight at over 70,000 ft. in a U-2 spy plane. Please note at the take-off
the assist wheels on the outer edges of the wings which drop off upon
take-off. The wings are so long that they need temporary support until
lift-off. What is not shown is at the landing the plane actually slows to a
small enough speed that two guys are actually able to grab the wing tips and
put those assist wheels back on.
The civilian getting the ride is the host of the car show Top Gear on BBC (James May)
shown through Europe at 9:00 pm Sunday night in Belgium . The views are
spectacular as the U-2 flies at altitudes which constitute "SPACE."
Use your full screen and sound as this is a high-quality film clip, 10
minutes long.

U-2 Ride Video

[CaptainTom]

An amazing video for sure.

When I worked as an FAA Air Traffic Controller in upstate NY we worked many U2 and SR71 missions. The Air Force had to use civilian cars to chase the U2 upon arrival to hook up the wing wheels because none of the government vehicles was swift enough.
I've never seen a two seat U2.

During the six day war the U2's were advertised to be "studying the climate of the great lakes", but in reality they were taking off and going straight over the North Pole to monitor the mid east.

I was told that if a U2 lost its engine (only has one) over San Francisco at altitude, it could glide to New York without much problem.

What a ride !!!

Here's a nicely written story by Barry Schiff

[CaptainTom]

duplicate post

[dmora]

YES! i figured it was the special with Captain Slow... (james May for those who dont watch TopGear)

Ive seen this. Very cool show.

[Hanky]

Good show to watch however the two seater could win the ugly duckling award.

[dmora]

Originally Posted by Hanky

Good show to watch however the two seater could win the ugly duckling award.

My vote for best ugly duckly is always toss up between



and

[David_3]

Not the easiest plane to land, though.

This is a cool "Dragon Lady" video, but I did not embed it, because the accompanying music contains some rather "colorful" language. So if you are easily offended, turn down the volume, or don't view it. You have been warned....


YouTube - U-2 Dragon Lady: Landings

[donlfaulkner]

Wow!!!!