James May in "Space" (U2 flight)

[chadbag]

http://www.wimp.com/breathtakingfootage/

[geminidglocker]

That was amazing! :D

[dirksterg30]

Amazing video, and an amazing plane.

Wikipedia reports that on the early U-2 models, there was only 10 knots difference between max. speed and stall speed at 70,000 feet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2

[pilotguyo540]

Amazing video, and an amazing plane.

Wikipedia reports that on the early U-2 models, there was only 10 knots difference between max. speed and stall speed at 70,000 feet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2

That is true still today. Last year Lane Wallace from Flying Magazine did a fantastic article about her flight in the dragon lady. I grew up close to Beale AFB and I used to go out and watch the SR-71's come in and out. The U2 is a remarkable plane with almost unprecedented staying power.

[citizensoldier16]

Truly an amazing video! One of Top Gear's more breath-taking clips.

[Trajan]

Wow that's amazing.

But what is it going to spy on at that altitude? Global Warming? :D

Pretty nuts about the stall/max speed on that thing too.

[citizensoldier16]

Wow that's amazing.

But what is it going to spy on at that altitude? Global Warming? :D

Pretty nuts about the stall/max speed on that thing too.

The cameras are high quality zoom cameras. Some say they can photograph a license plate from 60k feet. The altitude is simply to protect it from being seen by enemy radar and from being shot down by enemy SAMs.

[Trajan]

The cameras are high quality zoom cameras. Some say they can photograph a license plate from 60k feet. The altitude is simply to protect it from being seen by enemy radar and from being shot down by enemy SAMs.
Wow....

Go USA.

[citizensoldier16]

I'm no expert...that's just what I've heard. If anyone has any more specific info, I'd be interested!

[No.6]

Incredible! Thanks for posting the link.