The U-2 CIA – Air Force Reasons: Soviet air defense was aggressive April 8,
1950 – USSR shot down a US Privateer over Baltic Autumn 1951 – USSR downed a
Twin-Engine Navy Neptune bomber June 13 1952 – USSR allegedly downed a RB-29
Also scattered reports from Britain and Turkey After USSR backed N. Korea fear
of USSR expansion grew Development: Civilian or Air Force?
After many letters the decision for who to run development came from
president Eisenhower who instructed that if a uniformed test pilot was captured
in USSR in peacetime problems would arouse so a civilian team was called for
development. Funding I would like to note that this segment in many reports was
covered with black marker You try to read a sentence blacked out like this s and
understand it.
The Team James R. Killian, Jr. Director of Scientist --- President of MIT His
team of engineers worked no more that 50 feet from the assembly line. Problems
were recognized and fixed in a few hours of draft productions. The Place
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development facility in Burbank, CA AKA Skunk Works
The Plane: The design called for a lightweight aircraft for ultrahigh flight.
Tail The long tail was bolted to the body was only 3 bolts. This design was
similar to a sailplane, which is also known for its lightweight. Wings The wing
spar went through the fuselage. The panels were bolted to the side of the
fuselage. (Sailplane) Amazingly the wings where integrated fuel tanks keeping
almost all of the U-2’s fuel. Nose and Landing Gear The nose was curved upwards
to keep stabilized during wind gusts. (Sailplane)
The landing was a complex set of bicycle like gears that weight 208 pounds
but had the capability to withstand the touchdown of a 7-ton aircraft. Camera
After developing 2 cameras each too large or too heavy a camera a camera was
then developed using 3 mirrors and a prism to meet the size and weight
requirements of the U-2 “Spacesuits” One of the first partially pressurized
suits for high altitude flight was developed for specifically for the U-2. The
cockpit kept a constant pressure 28,000 ft.
This was at an outside pressure of a ‘window cracking’ 70,000 feet or more.
If the pressure suddenly decreased the suit would automatically inflate and
administrate oxygen to the pilot. (Blood boils after 65,000ft) Fuel The CIA
called on the vice president of Shell Oil Co. to make a low-volatility,
low-vapor kerosene fuel. A fuel with the boiling point of 300°F Security I wish
I could fly like an eagle to the see fly like and eagle like my spirits carry me
I want to fly. Right into the future … I want to fly again. Over flights: First
The first over flight of the U-2 was over Leningrad.
