The U-2 Spy Plane That Got Lost in an Aurora and Almost Started WW3

At the peak of the Cuban Missile Crisis, U-2 pilot Charles W. Maultsby was flying near the North Pole when he was blinded by the Northern Lights. He had been on the mission as part of Project Star Dust to collect air samples and monitor Soviet nuclear test activity at Novaya Zemlya, an island off of Siberia. The lights, however, obscured his view of the night sky and prevented navigation by the stars. Maultsby’s radio connection continued to fade until he reportedly picked up the sounds of Russian music from a local radio station. He had mistakenly flown into Soviet territory. Quickly turning back home, the U-2 found itself being pursued by Soviet MiG fighters - and the only reinforcements available on the American side were rushing to the scene armed with nuclear-tipped missiles...

[patrickguerriero]

It seems like WW3 almost gets started about 3 times a year

[jacksonlewis]

I know this will be lost in the comments but my grandfather was one of the radar operators during this time to help track him

[Mantis_Toboggan_TrashMan]

USSR: WHY ARE YOU IN MY TERRITORY!
U.S Ahhh Aurora Borealis.

[dereksgc]

this is cool so if you fly your plane into soviet airspace the soundtrack automatically changes

[Necron]

Would've hated to have been that pilot at that debriefing.

[teladithz]

Imagine accidentally doing this and the sweat when he cannot contact them and tell them he accidentally entered USSR

[timotheyszczepanski]

Plane: gets lost
The world: *you have provoked a gang war*

[alivewithpassion]

This would’ve been a great movie, too bad Hollywood will never make it.

[blameusa]

Official line : Aurora Borealis


Real line : spy mission that got rumbled

[skanddestroy]

You showed F4 twice and called them delta daggers

[Ohheymynameisgavinandimakefilm]

Little did he know he was accually in Skinner's kitchen being served steamed clams

[YeOldeThrashDude]

7:30 The part of the Delta Dagger is played by a B-58 Hustler. All other "stunt" Daggers were played by F-4s.

[towedarray]

Best Dark Skies yet. There are some mistakes as others have mentioned but they’re super marginal errors. Rounding errors even. I know it’s a new channel but this is still my favorite you’ve put out under this new moniker - this was an amazing story. If it was a Dark Docs it would be one of my favorites in recent memory. Doing great with these you guys/gals.

[luca-bqom]

Aurora Borealis!? At this time of year, at this time of day, in this part of the country, localized entirely within your kitchen!?

[cnealmartin]

"$hit werrrr in daa hell am I?? "
{psshhhh} "Sir your in Russia and you basically pissed off the entire planet."

[skanddestroy]

U2 haven't found..what im looking for...

[sidefx]

3:44 Little known fact, they can only shoot down U-2s if they're inverted while trailing smoke

[logisticsnail]

I know y’all showed 21s instead of 19s BUT I ain’t complaining still some sexy ass planes

[jaydeister]

Actually, with regards to GPS (military only) was up, in a limited fashion in the late 80's. If there were 3 satellites above the horizon, then you could get a position.

[stringedassassin]

Wait... when do the 6 migs break off?? How close do they actually get??