U2 SPY PLANE FAIRFORD (4K)

U2 Dragon Lady Spy Plane departing RAF Fairford, United Kingdom on a daily mission autumn 2021.

[rockhopper]

Over 6 decades of technological innovation. Advanced optical capabilities. Unparalleled electronic surveillance equipment. And 4 dudes to hop up on the wing to get training wheels installed. 🔥😁

[bombaytaxidriver]

Thanks Dafydd! Very happy memories for me! My first solo in 1989 was in a Slingsby T67 out of Cranfield, at Bedford MOD airfield. There was a U2 in the circuit at the time at Bedford, also practising touch and go's. Bonus, I got to be congratulated on my first solo by the tower, the U2 pilot in the circuit, and my instructor waiting on the grass verge off the taxiway!

[StjerneDK]

That is a crazy plane! Thanks for shareing! I love that the pilot waved at you 🙂

[MadeiraAirport]

Stunning aircraft, fantastic short takeoff, the wing-span is amazing!!

[billwrb]

Use to work on the U2 project back in the 80’s, along with the SR71out of Palmdale, Beale and a few other fun locations, always impressed by the pilots, true professionals. The sensors and unique films used were the best in the world then, can’t image how good they are today.

[aaronhrk]

Fantastic footage! I've always loved how they have the high performance chase cars following close behind in order to talk the pilot through the landing via radio. Very tricky beast indeed! 😉

[aengberg]

I live about 20 miles NE of Fairford and was amazed to see these flying overhead last year. Also amazed by how quiet they were - I expected these old things to make a racket but they were very civilised!

[Lewis_t]

Thank you! Such an unbelievable bird with such a long service time. I see them in CA at 60k from time to time and just imagine what it’s like. I’m getting old and those amazing birds are much older than me, it just amazes me. I didn’t realize how large those B-1’s are or how small the U-2, either way what a contrast seeing them in the same video. Thank you for posting this video!!

[mwales]

While TDY to RAF Mildenhall from Pope AFB in the mid 80's we were able to watch U2s and SR-71s operate and what a site it was.. Great video thanks..

[mgrouel]

Simple design and yet so complicated, one of aviation’s marvels.

[bryancycling]

I live a few miles from Fairford so regularly see (or mostly hear) the U2 take off, been at the end of the runway for landings & take offs. Quite often the U2 & B52’s would circle overhead our house at such low level you can see the pilot, once saw 3 x B52’s take off in succession which was awesome. I didn’t know the chase cars were driven by pilots! Enjoyed your video so thank you.

[davidtaylor]

And you got a wave! Great footage Dafydd!

[buzzabuzza]

Fantastic footage Dafydd has always.Incredible and privileged to see the The Dragon on our soil.👏👏👏🇬🇧🇺🇸

[nuvostef]

I got to sit in one of those (U-2) once. It was amazing how tiny the office is. But it was like sitting in…history. Good viddy, Dafydd, thank you.

[seagrave]

Love the shark's mouth, and the Astronaut suit, and the crew acting as counterweight on the wing! GREAT VID!

[St-lbyy]

Great footage as always. Just two items to mention, a sharks mouth on a U2??? Never seen that before. Also, just luving the three guys hanging off the wing to get the outriggers back on. So very high tech 😆

[airzulu]

Good to watch . Amazing the amount of preparation put into getting this old girl into the air for such a short flight.

[RemcovanR]

Incredible footage! Thanks. Love the way the pilot waves at you at the end.

[bluesky]

That appears to be a Senior Span aircraft. Ray dome on top is a satellite link that goes U2 to satellite to ground and back. I worked the original development program, flight test, and first missions for about 15 years starting in the early 80s.

[skipallen]

Excellent footage Dafydd. During WWII, my mother was one of the first female cryptographers working for US Allied Command. While in DC, she went out on a blind date with a young Air Force pilot; his name was Francis Gary Powers. Years later, he would be shot down over Russia in a U2.