I can imagine the discussion with the engineer:
"We want you to find a way to attach a tail hook to a U2"
"Umm, is it April Fool's Day?"
"No, seriously"
"WHY?????"
U-2 Carrier Suitability Test Video
- mekender
- Posts: 13189
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:31 pm
Re: U-2 Carrier Suitability Test Video
“I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.” - Norman Thomas, a six time candidate for president for the Socialist Party, 1944
- Jericho941
- Posts: 5180
- Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:30 am
-
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:00 am
Re: U-2 Carrier Suitability Test Video
I have to agree. Only because I knew one of the flight engineers. AD2 Ed Brennan was the secondary FE for the C-130 tests in the 1960's. I met him in the 1970's when he was the primary flight engineer on my crew in VP-56. A very quiet and unassuming man. Very professional. Until someone would draw a happy face on top of his bald head while he was sleeping. Then, not so much.Given the low landing speed of the U-2 and the damn near vertical takeoff profile it can run once it's wings bite into the air, I'm actually more impressed with the big brass ones on the crews that did C-130 carrier landings and takeoffs
- Netpackrat
- Posts: 13983
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:04 pm
Re: U-2 Carrier Suitability Test Video
That was awesome, but I think I like this one better:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdSj0_Fd4ds
I guess if you take away the weapons, they really are just like any other airline.
Cognosce teipsum et disce pati
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
- Mike OTDP
- Posts: 2418
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:42 pm
Re: U-2 Carrier Suitability Test Video
They didn't. Takeoff speed was low enough to allow a short run. Remember, the carrier is doing 30+ kts into 20 kts or so of wind.MiddleAgedKen wrote:It didn't look like they used a catapult for the takeoffs.