Coldwar RAF U-2 Pilots
The B-45s are back! 
Russian bombers complete Arctic patrol mission | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire
20/01/2010
Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers have successfully carried out a
routine patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
"Two turboprop Tu-95 MS bombers, which took off from Engels Airbase, have successfully
completed air patrol tasks," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said.
The bombers spent about 14 hours in the air and were shadowed by six NATO aircraft
- four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters from the Norwegian Air Force and
two B-45 Tornado strategic bombers from Britain's Air Force.
All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with
international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding the airspace of other states.
Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and
Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin.
The Arctic territories, believed to hold vast untapped oil and gas reserves, have increasingly
been at the center of disputes between the United States, Russia, Canada, Norway, and
Denmark as rising temperatures lead to a reduction in sea ice.
MOSCOW, January 20 (RIA Novosti)'
TJ
Russian bombers complete Arctic patrol mission | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire
20/01/2010
Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers have successfully carried out a
routine patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
"Two turboprop Tu-95 MS bombers, which took off from Engels Airbase, have successfully
completed air patrol tasks," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said.
The bombers spent about 14 hours in the air and were shadowed by six NATO aircraft
- four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters from the Norwegian Air Force and
two B-45 Tornado strategic bombers from Britain's Air Force.
All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with
international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding the airspace of other states.
Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and
Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin.
The Arctic territories, believed to hold vast untapped oil and gas reserves, have increasingly
been at the center of disputes between the United States, Russia, Canada, Norway, and
Denmark as rising temperatures lead to a reduction in sea ice.
MOSCOW, January 20 (RIA Novosti)'
TJ
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TEEEJ.
I cannot see why you are surprised at the use of THAT kind of Tornado. After all, it's pretty much well known that RAF aircraft are mostly very old, and well past their sell by dates
Maybe they never left, and took over from the PR9's that were sold on!
I cannot see why you are surprised at the use of THAT kind of Tornado. After all, it's pretty much well known that RAF aircraft are mostly very old, and well past their sell by dates
Maybe they never left, and took over from the PR9's that were sold on!
Some 'interesting assignments', indeed! Whilst I was on exchange with the USAF from 1970-72, there were two officers, Pilot and Nav, and not Cloke and Bee, who appeared at various get-togethers organised by BDLS, who were unable to talk about what they were doing in the USA. Indeed, one had to say so politely when asked by the Head of BDLS at a cocktail party. They travelled from the Los Angeles (LAX), as I recall, but I got the impression that they were based somewhere well away from there.
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RAF Pilots that flew U2's
Our Flight Commander on Vampire AFTS at Linton on Ouse (No 5 Valley Course) in 1964 was Sqn Ldr Cox. I do not remember his first name. He said he had flown the U2 in Japan. He also said another RAF officer *** Austin had converted to the type at the same time. I would be intersted to know if this can be verified. S/L Cox was quite unusual in that he was promoted to Sqn Ldr and took over the unit that he been an instructor on the day before. All the other instructors arrived and said Morning Dave (or whatever his first name was) Sir!
ACW
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RAF U2 pilots
I knew John MacAurthur - he was my Meteor instructor when I went through CFS (180 course, 1955). I next saw him back at CFS immediately after the Gary Powers downing. I was then on the staff as a Trapper. He hung about the place for a few days in a very agitated state and someone mentioned to me that he had been flying the U-2. Many moons later, in the 80s he appeared at DH Canada when I was on the sales staff at Downsview. He was then with DH Australia and was over to learn about the Dash 8 we were about to produce. We chatted on several occasion but I loast trrack of him when he returned to Oz. Was surprised to read that he had taken 'Orders' and was a minister in Australia.
I was also very friendly with another member of an overfly crew, this time in the B-45 Tornados that the RAF used on several occasions in the early 1950s. Bill Lindsay was a flight engineer on No 149 Sqn (B-29 - Coningsby) when I was one on No 44 Sqn. He would disappear for extended periods and refused to say where he had been. It was not until much later that I read about the overflights that he had taken part in. Unfortunately, he was later killed in a B-29 accident in the UK.
I was also very friendly with another member of an overfly crew, this time in the B-45 Tornados that the RAF used on several occasions in the early 1950s. Bill Lindsay was a flight engineer on No 149 Sqn (B-29 - Coningsby) when I was one on No 44 Sqn. He would disappear for extended periods and refused to say where he had been. It was not until much later that I read about the overflights that he had taken part in. Unfortunately, he was later killed in a B-29 accident in the UK.
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50 years ago....... U-2 across Russia
Historic moment: In 5 days time it will be 50 years exactly since John MacArthur (RAF) flew a U-2C across the Soviet Union.
This extract from http://www.spyflight.co.uk/u2.htm reads
22nd Soviet Overflight Mission 8009, the second mission flown by the RAF. On 5th Feb 60 flown by Flt Lt John MacArthur out of Peshawar. Headed northwest over the Aral Sea looking for missile sites, but discovered a new Soviet Bomber at Kazan. Eight Tu-22 BLINDER aircraft captured on film. Then south down the Volga over the missile factory at Dnepropetrovsk. After leaving Soviet airspace at Sevastopol, MacArthur landed at Incirlik.
The MacArthur flight lasted almost 9 hours and he landed with 18 gallons of fuel remaining!
This extract from http://www.spyflight.co.uk/u2.htm reads
22nd Soviet Overflight Mission 8009, the second mission flown by the RAF. On 5th Feb 60 flown by Flt Lt John MacArthur out of Peshawar. Headed northwest over the Aral Sea looking for missile sites, but discovered a new Soviet Bomber at Kazan. Eight Tu-22 BLINDER aircraft captured on film. Then south down the Volga over the missile factory at Dnepropetrovsk. After leaving Soviet airspace at Sevastopol, MacArthur landed at Incirlik.
The MacArthur flight lasted almost 9 hours and he landed with 18 gallons of fuel remaining!
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U-2/SR-71/Canberra
Martin Bee flew the U-2 with the project JACKSON detachment at Edwards AFB during the 1960s. The Jacksons were part of the CIA squadron at Edwards North Base. I believe that two pilots, a navigator (for flight planning) and a Flight Surgeon made up this RAF contingent. I believe Martin did a lot of T-33 flying while waiting for the Brit U-2 mission that never happened. (Not in the 1960s anyway). It might have been in the T-33 that this nav from Cranwell teamed up with Martin. BTW, I've seen Martin on Pprune. Forget his NIC though.Kubarque
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Kubarque - 1960s U-2 events
K,
Please see post #49 immediately above which took place in .. in.. in .. er ...1960!
Also, have a look at
YouTube - U-2 carrier take offs and landings
The ETPS graduate test pilot who sorted out the early U-2G carrier landing difficulties in the mid 1960s was Sqn Ldr 'Chunky Webster'. He demonstrated the 'cut 1' (throttle to idle over the ramp) technique followed seconds later by a well timed LSO call of 'cut 2' (pickle the newly installed spoilers and stall the U-2G on to the deck) .
Webster was earlier the lead RAF test pilot on the 'Flying Bedstead' (precursor to the Harrier family). The very same 'Bedstead' can be seen today in the Science Museum in London next to the Shorts SC1 which Webster also flew.
7/9
Please see post #49 immediately above which took place in .. in.. in .. er ...1960!
Also, have a look at
YouTube - U-2 carrier take offs and landings
The ETPS graduate test pilot who sorted out the early U-2G carrier landing difficulties in the mid 1960s was Sqn Ldr 'Chunky Webster'. He demonstrated the 'cut 1' (throttle to idle over the ramp) technique followed seconds later by a well timed LSO call of 'cut 2' (pickle the newly installed spoilers and stall the U-2G on to the deck) .
Webster was earlier the lead RAF test pilot on the 'Flying Bedstead' (precursor to the Harrier family). The very same 'Bedstead' can be seen today in the Science Museum in London next to the Shorts SC1 which Webster also flew.
7/9
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Threeputt wrote:
Does anyone have contact info for Harry ? He did the 229 OCU course in 1961 with my father & I have recently found a couple of pictures of him.
If anyone knows how I can contact Harry, I'd appreciate a PM. Thanks !
Harry Drew - Flt Cdr on 11 Sqn Lightning's and Sqn Cdr on, I think, 43(F) Sqn F4's. Balex and Wa*T&r W*tt* know all about him.
If anyone knows how I can contact Harry, I'd appreciate a PM. Thanks !
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High Altitude Flying Equipment
I don't know what Canberra crews might have worn at High altitude in the 50s.
When I flew the PR9 we went to RAF Upwood to be fitted with our kit which consisted of a sort of pressure suit comprising a G suit and a pressure jerkin, for the body and legs, and a Taylor partial pressure helmet. This had a small 'Hatch' in the front thru which one could eat very small sandwiches and snax but this was difficult as the hatch was more aligned with the end of one's chin than one's mouth! There was also a hot weather option of an air ventilated suit to worn underneath all the kit and also an air vent skull cap to wear next to the skin and under the helmet.
When I flew the PR9 we went to RAF Upwood to be fitted with our kit which consisted of a sort of pressure suit comprising a G suit and a pressure jerkin, for the body and legs, and a Taylor partial pressure helmet. This had a small 'Hatch' in the front thru which one could eat very small sandwiches and snax but this was difficult as the hatch was more aligned with the end of one's chin than one's mouth! There was also a hot weather option of an air ventilated suit to worn underneath all the kit and also an air vent skull cap to wear next to the skin and under the helmet.
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U-2 in Cyprus
I remember when sailing around Limassol area in the eighties seeing A u-2 approaching Akrotiri. Would this have been an RAF flight or did the USAF have aircraft based there? I also remember stories of a U-2 crashing at the same base. Is that true?
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Thanks Hoodie
Obviously the mixture of sun, sea and brandy sours. It was all an illusion. I had to wait till the IAT and see that a U-2 and SR-71 looked like weather baloons.
Some interesting reading in your reference.
Some interesting reading in your reference.
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Just some information that might be of interest,David Dowling did overfly USSR.From what he said all 4 RAF Pilots did at that time.As to Log books,he wrote to MoD before he died in 2008 to try and get something from them,unfortunately he didnt get any reply.His "normal" Logs exist with gaps when he was involved with the U2 and some other "weather reporting",(51 Squadron I think),in the early '60's.
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U-2 & SR-71 info
I have been corresponding with Major Buddy Brown USAF, who used to fly the SR-71 as a pilot. I mentioned ICM's post when he was on exchange, in the States & met up with another Pilot & Navigator that were also on exchange, but couldn't reveal where they were based or what they were doing.
Buddy went through all his lists of Pilots, RSO's, Staff & VIP's that flew in the SR-71, the A-12 & YF-12 & said that there was no mention of any RAF personnel having any involvement in those aircraft - What a shame !
I also mentioned to Buddy about the eleven RAF Pilots that converted to & flew missions in the U-2 for the CIA. Buddy responded by saying "I think you mean THIRTEEN RAF Pilots". Buddy then sent me an attachment showing the names of all 741 Pilots that flew the U-2 from 1951 to 2001 !!
The two extra names that I didn't have were Ian McBride who converted to type in 1971 & Ronald Simmons who converted in 1972.
I know that the late Robbie Robinson wrote an article about his U-2 exploits. It would be nice to know that some of the remaining aircrew from "Operation Ju Jitsu", "Operation Robin" & the U-2 flights might be tempted to put pen to paper about their exploits. I for one would be delighted to read them.
Buddy went through all his lists of Pilots, RSO's, Staff & VIP's that flew in the SR-71, the A-12 & YF-12 & said that there was no mention of any RAF personnel having any involvement in those aircraft - What a shame !
I also mentioned to Buddy about the eleven RAF Pilots that converted to & flew missions in the U-2 for the CIA. Buddy responded by saying "I think you mean THIRTEEN RAF Pilots". Buddy then sent me an attachment showing the names of all 741 Pilots that flew the U-2 from 1951 to 2001 !!
The two extra names that I didn't have were Ian McBride who converted to type in 1971 & Ronald Simmons who converted in 1972.
I know that the late Robbie Robinson wrote an article about his U-2 exploits. It would be nice to know that some of the remaining aircrew from "Operation Ju Jitsu", "Operation Robin" & the U-2 flights might be tempted to put pen to paper about their exploits. I for one would be delighted to read them.
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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VIProds
Do you know if Robbie's article is available? He was one of my tutors at ETPS in 1963 (he is seated in the pic below) and I would live to know what he had to say.
J F
J F