U-2 Spyplane colour scheme

I had a ride in the Subaru chase car down the runway at Akrotiri a few years ago, got some awesome photos of the whole U2 operation there. Unfortunately the last time I posted them on a forum various people got upset (not the Americans I hasten to add who had no problem with me taking as many photos as I wanted) and I decided to take them down..

For those interested in the U-2, here is a video I just came across last night from an ex U-2 pilot showing some interesting first landings and landing attempts. Some are better than others. I didn’t know that part of qualifying requires you to complete a landing without callouts from the chase vehicle. Judging by the chase vehicles, some of these are pretty old but I haven’t seen any of them before. Even includes a Beale crew belly landing a T-38.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5D9pHfiBBo

Also came across this great picture last week of 11 U-2 pilots standing in front of their bird. A great shot. (This is the link to the page, click on the picture to see it full size.)

http://aviationintel.com/2013/01/29/just-a-really-cool-picture-americas-inner-spacemen/

And regarding U-2 retirement I’m not sure what the current plans are anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if they shut down the whole Air Force and all of Naval and Army Aviation next week. We’ve got some great pilots and maintainers but right now I don’t think we could run a lemonade stand without going bankrupt within a week and giving all of our customers food poisoning and scurvy. It a management problem, and we’re not smart enough to fix it.

I’ve read that the attractive two-tone gray scheme seen in the 80s was instituted at the request of the UK government. With aircraft flying out of Mildenhall, it thought the black scheme was too sinister or somesuch.

Anyone know if there is any truth to that, or another “old wive’s tale”?

Some of them are painted white…. I see them just about every week 🙂