U-2 Dragon Lady "spy plane" down in California

[Guest SrPilot]

One pilot dead, a second injured in U-2 spy plane crash in rural Northern California

 

Earlier report:

 

U-2 spy plane crashes in California

 

 

[facthunter]

I didn't know they were still in active service. Nev

 

 

[cooperplace]

designed over 60 years ago, amazing; and apparently v difficult to fly.

 

 

[pmccarthy]

There was one at Oshkosh this year.

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

I didn't know they were still in active service. Nev

Until 2019, I believe. Here's a proposed replacement.

 

lockheed-unveils-tr-x-next-generation-u-2 | Defense News

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

designed over 60 years ago, amazing; and apparently v difficult to fly.

Yes. My friend Richard Drake (who's hangar I now possess) was a U-2 pilot. I've heard a number of accounts of incidents and accidents caused by it's long wings, bicycle gear, low power, and the narrow gap between stall and excessive speed at high altitude.

 

Here's an interesting account of U-2 flying's challenges:

 

Killer at 70,000 Feet | Military Aviation | Air & Space Magazine

 

 

[cooperplace]

Hi SrPliot,

 

thanks, that's an amazing article. Those pilots are extraordinary.

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

Hi SrPliot,thanks, that's an amazing article. Those pilots are extraordinary.

No worries. You may find the landings interesting too.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNYg2i9Jgvs

 

It may be the only plane that looks easier to land on a carrier than on terra firma.

 

 

But with difficult landings come base fields (like Beale AFB) with only one runway. Why make it easy?

 

AirNav: KBAB - Beale Air Force Base

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

Whoever designed the undercarriage had a sense of humour... (that's humor to some)

 

 

[Happyflyer]

Whoever designed the undercarriage had a sense of humour... (that's humor to some)

So did the guy who decided to base them at a place with no cross strips (Beale AFB). At least on an aircraft carrier you are guaranteed a good head wind every time.

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

An update on the crash and those involved.

 

Air Force Identifies Pilot Who Died In California U-2 Crash