Thanks for this video. I don't think I have seen a better one of a U-2 taking off. Those who complain about the pealing paint should keep in mine: 1. Paint adds weight and for this plane keeping the weight down is important. 2. It's probably kept in a hanger, so the paint would serve little purpose. It'd be interesting to know what the nose and overhead pod are for. I assume they're for radio intercepts or radar.
I am a USAF vet from the mid 1970’s and spent two years stationed in England. We would regularly have the U-2 there. Today’s U-2 is substantially larger all the way around than the U-2 of back then. Always loved this bird. An engine sound you never forget.
2:30 it looks like it's flying even when it's just sitting there. I love how these things look. Almost like the person who designed it could actually see the air ;)
I’m at awe of this incredible craft. Have never seen one take off but I believe the landing is beyond words! Fortunate to have witnessed that at Howard AFB. BEAUTIFUL BIRD. God bless our USAF
That is one impressive plane. Came out before my parents were married. I was born in '67 and remember reading about the U2 in high school history class.
I was stationed at Beale AFB from 08-11. It was always amazing to see the Dragon Lady take off. In some cases they almost looked as if they were going straight up without having to point their noses in the vertical position.
Was Phillips still flying then? Knew him he had U2lips personal plates on his corvette. My uncle Gary freese was chief line mechanic on the SR-71 spy plane back in the day at Beal afb
They’ll clear 10,000ft AGL before the end of the runway. They have to go into the vertical right after rotation or the wings will tear off down in the thick air.
U-2 pilot Lieutenant powers landed near the Ural village and was taken prisoner by local residents. He was later sentenced to 10 years in prison. And in February 1962, he was exchanged for Soviet intelligence officer Rudolf Abel.
Was stationed at Takhli AB, Thailand, where they had these wonderful aircraft. They would take off and just keep climbing until out of eyesight. The chase car they had was the Chevy ElCamino, 396 c.i., sounded real good trying to catch up before the wing tips settled down on the tarmac. Fascinating piece of airchinery! Must be fun being up there with Jesus and GOD. Until that 11-16 hour of flying.
Long live Kelly Johnson designs! I first saw a U-2 (original model) take off from U-Tapao AFB 50 years ago while I was holding short of the runway waiting to depart. The initial climb was just as impressive then!
Jason Wilson-you in Patts right now? Pretty dead? Back then I was stationed in Vietnam flying fixed-wing turboprops for the US Army. We kept a plane at Don Muang and rotated it every Sunday, so about every 6 weeks or so I spent a week flying pax all over the LOS-all the air bases as well as CM, Phits, KK. Back to BKK (now DMK) every night. We didn’t have to deduct those days from our combat pay-always felt a little guilty about that🤣🤣
@@tenpiloto Actually I'm in Jomtien .. Because of the tourism inbound lockdown it's truly 5 girls for each guy. Soi 6 has most bars open, the prices have dropped to men's heaven levels. . How long it's going to last.?
This plane was built without congressional oversight for every little detail. Thats why it still flies today. We have retired dozens of other "Congressionally designed" aircraft...
While it is good to see a classic aircraft still earning it's keep, I have to say that I am appalled at just how much they have modified the aircraft with sensor pods and possibly extra underwing fuel tanks.
It's a Military tool, it is being used to perform the work it was built for. All aircraft are constantly developed and updated throughout their useful life...they have to earn their keep.
Of course the 80 in 80-1071 is the year, 1980, this airframe was accepted in Service. The old girl has been flying for 50 years. Still, they put so much on her, loaded her down that the Dragon Lady has put on weight. Still pretty though. Nice lines underneath.
I'm old enough to remember the original U-2's and when in 1960 pilot Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union when the CIA was operating the U-2. I also remember the U-2 shot down over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis because my dad was a B-52 pilot and we were stationed at Homestead AFB at the time. One night all the B-52's took off to places unknown followed by a massive number of fighters. A week after the Cuban Missile Crisis, my dad returned but never said where he went or what he did. The U2's today don't look much like the original ones and are obviously far more capable. The U-2 has been in service for over 50 years with the newest version upgraded in 2012.
You can remove the SATCOM pod, the ASARS nose ant the super pods. They missionize the aircraft configuration for each operation. Additionally everything inside the sensor bays can be change to meet the mission. It really is a transformer aircraft which is why they are still flying.
Awesome footage correct me if I’m wrong I’m sure if the u2 goes over 10mph at cruising altitude it will brake up also to slow it will stall and crash.The guys who fly these engineering masterpieces are true top guns🇺🇸🇬🇧✈️👍👍
How much you wanna bet 071 was having software problems? Are the two pods on the wings sensors or fuel? Is it me or did they extend her nose out extra long? That is one loud engine. I noticed the ground crew give those intakes a very wide birth.
They are “pogos” and they are supposed to fall on takeoff. You can see the ground crew pulling the pins just before takeoff. You don’t need them to land. The wing tips have titanium skid plates. Most of the time, the wing tips don’t touch the ground until it is fully stopped.
U2 is stationed on Taoyuan military airport located north Taiwan during 1960s ,they called Black cat squads. The task is flying in China sky and take pictures .The famous story is Chen why Shen event,who were shot down by Chinese missile above NanChan province.He was wounded but without jump,and glided the airplane arrived Taoyuan air port.He were deceased. Now in Taipei City there have a Chen why Shen elementary school,means rememberers! U2偵查機在台灣稱黑貓中隊，駐守在台灣北部桃園空軍基地，任務是飛在大陸高空照相偵查軍事基地用。有名的事件是60年代陳懷生中校在江西上空被飛彈擊中（震波損害飛機著火），他用飛翔方式滑回桃園機場，整個瞼部被大火燒黑而成仁。現在台北有個學校叫懷生小學就是紀念他的
I was stationed at Utapao Thailand 73-74 and they had an SS 396 Chevelle chase car when the U-2 came in for landing, the chase car would follow and call distance to the pilot . I was at Kadena Okinawa in 70 and the SR-71 was more impressive to me.
Take off roll, under 10 seconds the pogo wheels drop. Under 20 she is climbing like a homesick angle. But it lands as if Kelly didn't think it should ever come back down.
Colonel, if the fellow student pilots at UPT could see you now! Far cry from the T-6 Texan II and the T-38 Talon, sir! Be safe, and what a nifty video!
Richard Masters It lands without them. The wings are close to empty by then and with a little headwind, the pilot will keep the wings level with aileron and roll spoiler until it stops. It then makes contact on a small titanium skip that’s replaceable. Sometimes they get scuffed up.
Because outright speed isn't so essential, stealth is much more useful, and it can loiter for long periods and monitor things in real time, it can be used for all sorts of intelligence gathering rather than just taking photos, and it undoubtedly costs a whole lot less to operate
David Dunsmore You don’t retract it immediately in the U-2. On climb out, you won’t over speed the gear, so it remains down in case the pilot needs to return to the field immediately. It’s just one less thing to worry about.
Some one must be having the design of this enormous plane in their minds.If they can build this,they could be able build many other contraptions useful for the mankind.
Thanks for this video. I don't think I have seen a better one of a U-2 taking off. Those who complain about the pealing paint should keep in mine: 1. Paint adds weight and for this plane keeping the weight down is important. 2. It's probably kept in a hanger, so the paint would serve little purpose. It'd be interesting to know what the nose and overhead pod are for. I assume they're for radio intercepts or radar.
I am a USAF vet from the mid 1970’s and spent two years stationed in England. We would regularly have the U-2 there. Today’s U-2 is substantially larger all the way around than the U-2 of back then. Always loved this bird. An engine sound you never forget.
So many close detail shots. Helps with my modeling of this plane. Thank you!!!!
2:30 it looks like it's flying even when it's just sitting there. I love how these things look. Almost like the person who designed it could actually see the air ;)
I’m at awe of this incredible craft. Have never seen one take off but I believe the landing is beyond words! Fortunate to have witnessed that at Howard AFB. BEAUTIFUL BIRD. God bless our USAF
That is one impressive plane. Came out before my parents were married. I was born in '67 and remember reading about the U2 in high school history class.
I was stationed at Beale AFB from 08-11. It was always amazing to see the Dragon Lady take off. In some cases they almost looked as if they were going straight up without having to point their noses in the vertical position.
Bonkers climb rate, unique aircraft.
Was Phillips still flying then? Knew him he had U2lips personal plates on his corvette. My uncle Gary freese was chief line mechanic on the SR-71 spy plane back in the day at Beal afb
They’ll clear 10,000ft AGL before the end of the runway. They have to go into the vertical right after rotation or the wings will tear off down in the thick air.
Ace footage! Thanks for sharing bud 😎
Классный самолёт. Инженеру который его придумал Америка должна носить на руках, всю жизнь .
U-2 pilot Lieutenant powers landed near the Ural village and was taken prisoner by local residents. He was later sentenced to 10 years in prison. And in February 1962, he was exchanged for Soviet intelligence officer Rudolf Abel.
Did the communists told you a full story? ;)
Was stationed at Takhli AB, Thailand, where they had these wonderful aircraft. They would take off and just keep climbing until out of eyesight. The chase car they had was the Chevy ElCamino, 396 c.i., sounded real good trying to catch up before the wing tips settled down on the tarmac. Fascinating piece of airchinery! Must be fun being up there with Jesus and GOD. Until that 11-16 hour of flying.
One of Kelly Johnson’s masterpieces born the same year as this writer. One still soars above the earth, the other still walks the face of the earth.
At last someone built a plane with room for the pilots brass balls.
That room is the nose right?
My very first bike had similar stabiliser
Long live Kelly Johnson designs! I first saw a U-2 (original model) take off from U-Tapao AFB 50 years ago while I was holding short of the runway waiting to depart. The initial climb was just as impressive then!
Was it heading flying over Nort Vietnam. .
Jason Wilson---who knows? Probably either there or the HCM (Laos/Cambodia).
@@tenpiloto I'm about 40k from U Tapao.. where you station there. ?
Jason Wilson-you in Patts right now? Pretty dead? Back then I was stationed in Vietnam flying fixed-wing turboprops for the US Army. We kept a plane at Don Muang and rotated it every Sunday, so about every 6 weeks or so I spent a week flying pax all over the LOS-all the air bases as well as CM, Phits, KK. Back to BKK (now DMK) every night. We didn’t have to deduct those days from our combat pay-always felt a little guilty about that🤣🤣
@@tenpiloto Actually I'm in Jomtien .. Because of the tourism inbound lockdown it's truly 5 girls for each guy.
Soi 6 has most bars open, the prices have dropped to men's heaven levels. .
How long it's going to last.?
No simple task and no simple mission. Thank God for our American young men that help keep us safe.
Это уникальный самолёт. Это модификация U-2.
Good to see the USAF carrying on with business as usual
This plane was built without congressional oversight for every little detail. Thats why it still flies today. We have retired dozens of other "Congressionally designed" aircraft...
🤣 🤣
Awesome flying “skunk” 🦨🇺🇸👍❤️💪👏
Anyone know what the pod on top is for? It’s a U2 so obviously some sort of listening device.
That is Senior Span, SATCOM data link system so it can transmit near real time data to ground stations.
So this U2 was built about 15 years after Gary Powers, or about 40 years ago!
Climbing like a homesick angel!
While it is good to see a classic aircraft still earning it's keep, I have to say that I am appalled at just how much they have modified the aircraft with sensor pods and possibly extra underwing fuel tanks.
Mark Fryer why are you appalled ?
Mark Fryer Those aren’t underwing fuel tanks. They are sensor pods. And like William, I am perplexed as to why you would be appalled.
It's a Military tool, it is being used to perform the work it was built for. All aircraft are constantly developed and updated throughout their useful life...they have to earn their keep.
Does it have a yaw-string on the canopy, like a glider?
I actually believe it does if you watch videos of the crew closing the canopy.
Of course the 80 in 80-1071 is the year, 1980, this airframe was accepted in Service. The old girl has been flying for 50 years.
Still, they put so much on her, loaded her down that the Dragon Lady has put on weight.
Still pretty though. Nice lines underneath.
stevensonDonnie--or maybe 40
Cu asa tehnica militara este normal sa fii numărul 1 în lume
*#Nice** video and performance and also good information and very good for watching 👍🤝🙏*
Very powerful engines.A marvel of engineering.
I'm old enough to remember the original U-2's and when in 1960 pilot Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union when the CIA was operating the U-2. I also remember the U-2 shot down over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis because my dad was a B-52 pilot and we were stationed at Homestead AFB at the time. One night all the B-52's took off to places unknown followed by a massive number of fighters. A week after the Cuban Missile Crisis, my dad returned but never said where he went or what he did.
The U2's today don't look much like the original ones and are obviously far more capable.
The U-2 has been in service for over 50 years with the newest version upgraded in 2012.
Is the satellite antenna removable? What is the REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT streamer left side of the fuselage for?
Great question! Any responses?
Why do you think that satellite antenna? It shouldn't be so huge.
Much more looks like AWACS lightened version, isn't it?
You can remove the SATCOM pod, the ASARS nose ant the super pods. They missionize the aircraft configuration for each operation. Additionally everything inside the sensor bays can be change to meet the mission. It really is a transformer aircraft which is why they are still flying.
Thank you Kelly Johnson.
Het is een fantasties toestel met veel vermogen en snelheid voor korte opsteeg tijd top
Awesome footage correct me if I’m wrong I’m sure if the u2 goes over 10mph at cruising altitude it will brake up also to slow it will stall and crash.The guys who fly these engineering masterpieces are true top guns🇺🇸🇬🇧✈️👍👍
Remarkable aircraft. This version about as "developed" as you can get. Nice to see USAF's acceptance of British plane spotters too.
Excellent footage, love the U-2 😎👍
Is that Bono in the cockpit?
How much you wanna bet 071 was having software problems?
Are the two pods on the wings sensors or fuel?
Is it me or did they extend her nose out extra long?
That is one loud engine. I noticed the ground crew give those intakes a very wide birth.
It's too much questions for beautiful lady about secret reconnaissance military plane...
;)
The 'Dragon Lady' looks like she could do with a coat or two of paint.
Wow that was a short take off
Long ass wings and powerful engine
Rogney Jones and sitting there burning half his fuel for an hour before takeoff
Thank You for your service.
Any idea why that "Pavan" in the call sign ?
Just wondering, because it means "wind" in Sanskrit and other Indian languages.
Cheers, interesting as I thought it sounded Russian and was like uh oh!
Maybe it is monitoring the pandemic response in secretive states like DPRK?
@@audioaddict5279 pls, don't mess up the people - neither russian no "uh oh"
;-)
Why take off in tailwind?
What sophisticated apparatus have they installed on the nose? I don’t remember the nose being that long!
Some kind of camera system!
Could it be a mini HUBER ???????? .. In the nose....????
I’ve never seen anything quite like this old girl! She’s still a beaut.
Wish i could sit on a wing a fly..🥰
i wasn't aware we were still flying the U-2. In the era of satellites and hyperplanes, it says something to see this bird still in the air.
Great video, she has an amazing climb rate - 15,000 ft/min
This plane used for what purpose
Spy plane
And then the trainer wheels were dropped. COOL!
Agreed. I can’t figure out how it will land without them?
They are “pogos” and they are supposed to fall on takeoff. You can see the ground crew pulling the pins just before takeoff. You don’t need them to land. The wing tips have titanium skid plates. Most of the time, the wing tips don’t touch the ground until it is fully stopped.
@@theUtahPair The wings made as fuel tanks intentionally. They're empty (& loose weight) to the landing moment - so it's not a big problem.
Do you know what is "nullité" in french ?
*🙏🌎**#Base** Loiter Channel👍This is an amazing video👍🤝🙏*
BOA NOITE (EU ESTOU ADMIRADO E GARANTO QUE O MUNDO TAMBÉM. ) POIS SE QUER SE SABIA DA EXISTÊNCIA DE TAL AERONAVE. PARABÉNS PELO TRABALHO APRESENTADO
THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY !
An aircraft only MOM could love.
Essentially a U-2 Pilot is an Astronaut.
Saw one in the 60es.
Chac ji
Que cosa fea Me pueden informar que propósito tiene y sus cualidades o performans etcétera En español. Gracias
Those 3 sensors must work in unison, the nose sensor looks un natural. What do u think it is?
Pinocchio plane???
State of the art that no nation can match.
Most unusual looking beast. First test flight 1955, still in service, amazing. 👋 🇦🇺
They waited until the absolutely last minute to remove some of those "remove before flight" tags!!
That is standard
What are those tags???
@John Jeffries At this stage, safety / locking / securing pins. The remove before flight tags is the standard adopted system nit to miss any.
Oh Boy!!!! She needs help for take off..be careful with this..wow nice departure..enjoy it, thank you for the post
*🙏**#Thank** you very much for your video👍🤝🙏*
U2 is stationed on Taoyuan military airport located north Taiwan during 1960s ,they called Black cat squads.
The task is flying in China sky and take pictures .The famous story is Chen why Shen event,who were shot down by Chinese missile above NanChan province.He was wounded but without jump,and glided the airplane arrived Taoyuan air port.He were deceased. Now in Taipei City there have a Chen why Shen elementary school,means rememberers! U2偵查機在台灣稱黑貓中隊，駐守在台灣北部桃園空軍基地，任務是飛在大陸高空照相偵查軍事基地用。有名的事件是60年代陳懷生中校在江西上空被飛彈擊中（震波損害飛機著火），他用飛翔方式滑回桃園機場，整個瞼部被大火燒黑而成仁。現在台北有個學校叫懷生小學就是紀念他的
We can only imagine the things that the Lady has spotted.
@Trey Stephens No. The Dragon Lady is for reconnaissance.
I thought the U-2 aircraft was retired from the inventory.
Ilyet lőttek le az oroszok? Mi a hátán a púp?
How long does it stay in flight each time?
اجنحة طويلة ..يساعد على الاستفادة من الهواء وقوة الرياح ....اي تيارات الحمل الهوائية.....مثل النسر يطير عاليا بدون تحريك اجنحته.....
U2 never die
Is the white chase car a Dodge Charger?
No rush. In your own time🇬🇧
I didn't know they were still using these planes.
I would like to see how it lands.
I was stationed at Utapao Thailand 73-74 and they had an SS 396 Chevelle chase car when the U-2 came in for landing, the chase car would follow and call distance to the pilot . I was at Kadena Okinawa in 70 and the SR-71 was more impressive to me.
@@eodmax by
Take off roll, under 10 seconds the pogo wheels drop. Under 20 she is climbing like a homesick angle. But it lands as if Kelly didn't think it should ever come back down.
I saw one leave a air show and at liftoff it went vertical then it was out of sight.
No one mentioned the U2 is based on the F104 ?
Colonel, if the fellow student pilots at UPT could see you now! Far cry from the T-6 Texan II and the T-38 Talon, sir! Be safe, and what a nifty video!
There is a C 400 for it!))😁😁😁
Thank you
Сколько лет в строю а он актуален
Sr. Span antenna on top.
The orange outriggers drop off on take-off so what happens when it lands?
Richard Masters It lands without them. The wings are close to empty by then and with a little headwind, the pilot will keep the wings level with aileron and roll spoiler until it stops. It then makes contact on a small titanium skip that’s replaceable. Sometimes they get scuffed up.
There's a video showing just that
ua-cam.com/video/DHZnyO2evps/v-deo.html
Well Duh. They have 2 techs on a scooter drive along side her and ratchet the wheels on.
USAF recon plane tended by civilians and some one else filming a UA-cam video. What's up with that?
The civilians are likely support contractors.
Why they decommissioned the blackbird and kept this older, slower and simpler model is a mystery to me.
Because outright speed isn't so essential, stealth is much more useful, and it can loiter for long periods and monitor things in real time, it can be used for all sorts of intelligence gathering rather than just taking photos, and it undoubtedly costs a whole lot less to operate
The police cars were chasing it because it was doing Mach3 in a Mach2 speed zone.
بسیار عالی
Thank you for your comment Mohammadreza
Wow wow wow 12 second takeoff
Oh my Lord...it amazing design, and it had length wings
The pilot wasn't in any hurry to retract the undercarriage.
David Dunsmore You don’t retract it immediately in the U-2. On climb out, you won’t over speed the gear, so it remains down in case the pilot needs to return to the field immediately. It’s just one less thing to worry about.
Woah, now that’s BONO!
Такого урода ещё поискать надо..)) А так конечно техника уникальная, был у и нас такой "Геофизика" назывался.
All dressed up and ready for Business ehhhh! So Versatile Bird...!
They better bring a fuel truck out and top up...
A California Condor if there ever was one! X-37 just completed a 2 year trip! I watch the night sky! Who’s watching back? Electric Eye! Judas Priest!
I realize it a high altitude platform........looks like a U-2 designed by a committee!
Still got the elcaminos?
I wonder what she was up to!?
Me too. China? North Korea?
Leo Horwill about 120,000 feet soon? Haha
Este soucksan es otro o q no es sucksan o que. Se puso una o o que
Some one must be having the design of this enormous plane in their minds.If they can build this,they could be able build many other contraptions useful for the mankind.
Янкі пішли так далeко, що ми відстали назавжди. Вeсь бувший совок відстав.
¿Que es esa bestia?
What a poor kept plane very dirty lots of paint missing what else is wrong