Orange Anchor
New Member
Way back when, I saw my first U-2. It was hangared off a remote taxiway at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam. One afternoon, I saw it descending slowing back into Bien Hoa and I had the cut-off. The rejoin in my pathetic little O-2 was going real well when a small voice in my head piped up and said, "This is really NOT a good idea." I aborted the rejoin.
Later, when deploying to Thailand, I got to know the group operating out of U-Tapao and was told I should apply for the program. A U-2 slot was a guaranteed Lt. Col. unless you really screwed up. I was able to sit in on a mission prep and got into the cockpit. Interesting place to work.
But here is acolorful video with some crude language demonstrating why maybe transition to the U-2 should be done after some hours in a Stearman.
http://tinyurl.com/d9939n
This second video is a good cockpit tour. Note the yoke and if the cockpit seems large, remember the pilot is not suited up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBK0CP509UY&feature=related
FWIW, the name "Dragon Lady" originated in the 30s in the comic strip, Terry and the Pirates.
Later, when deploying to Thailand, I got to know the group operating out of U-Tapao and was told I should apply for the program. A U-2 slot was a guaranteed Lt. Col. unless you really screwed up. I was able to sit in on a mission prep and got into the cockpit. Interesting place to work.
But here is acolorful video with some crude language demonstrating why maybe transition to the U-2 should be done after some hours in a Stearman.
http://tinyurl.com/d9939n
This second video is a good cockpit tour. Note the yoke and if the cockpit seems large, remember the pilot is not suited up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBK0CP509UY&feature=related
FWIW, the name "Dragon Lady" originated in the 30s in the comic strip, Terry and the Pirates.