RE #18 & earlier
88,000 feet.
Bet that scared the U2 driver..........
What a load of twaddle to write that the U-2 was intercepted at 88,000' by a BAC Lightning!
Check the aerodynamic possibilities for both aircraft.
Perhaps the Lightning pilot donned his 'anorak space suit' as he passed 50,000'? Then somehow he was able to convert the remnants of his energy climb from say Mach 2 at 36,000' into a plausible flying speed (IAS) at 88,000' for the Lightning?
