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When the Chase Plane is a Car
In this video clip filmed in 2010 by Emmy-winning news photographer Walter Colby at Beale Air Force Base, a two-place trainer version of a U-2 takes off (watch the "pogo" wing supports drop away at liftoff), makes three low approaches, and lands on the fourth approach. "Mobile," another U-2 pilot in a sports car, follows each, calling out the aircraft's height above the runway to the pilot as he nears touchdown. After the aircraft comes to a stop, the ground crew re-inserts the pogos so the U-2 can taxi to the hangar.
(7:33)
Video: Walter Colby
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Comments (4)
I remember mobiling this sortie, it was a student's first high flight and first time doing pattern work in the full pressure suit. Good memories.
Posted by Cabi on March 21,2012 | 11:05 PM
During my year at Eilson in 1958 as both a tower/GCA operator, We experienced a lot of activity with the U 2. I always wondered about all the secrecy as our runway was in plain sight, and parallel to the highway. The U-2 always had to sit on the ramp for a couple of hours for the pilot to get used to pure oxygen. We controlled the plane from the tower with no radio contact, only light gun signals, and always with a SAC bird Colonel trying to run the tower. In GCA, our job was to check his IFF after airborne to insure it was operating, we only had 3 modes! On final the U 2 was so slow, worse than a C 47, that you couldn't wait for the officer in the pickup truck (no sports car) to take over, usually about 1/4 mile out. I never appreciated all of that as a 19 year old, but I did in my later years.
Posted by Gerry Flood on March 24,2012 | 07:18 PM
I find it interesting how the car is an Australian built Holden Commodore SS re-badged as a Pontiac G8, when they could have used a locally built Camaro instead. Oh well, good for our exports.
Posted by James Derksen on April 5,2012 | 12:00 AM
We used to watch these from thae barracks at Howard AFB,Panama.I recall them mostly having NASA ID.They would chase with two pickuptrucks.Then as the plane landed,a guy in the back of each truck would grab a wing.The wing never touched ground.Then they would all taxi down the runway together.Talk about timing! I never saw them miss.This was in 1975-77.I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't saw it.
Posted by mike on April 21,2012 | 07:39 PM