And you thought your landings were bad..........

[MichaelBuckle]

Originally Posted by Navy_Adversary

When they have the changeovers at Fairford I am not sure if the USAF have to get some cars and crew in for the chase?
I can just imagine aircrew at Mildenhall jumping in the Corvette and bombing down the A14 to Fairford.

Maybe the Dragon Lady will have to find a new changeover point if Fairford does close.

Only just came across this when searching, so sorry for bringing up a old thread!

To answer the question, Fairford don't have chase cars or crews based at Fairford neither are they from Mildenhall. The U-2 team are flown in for the arrivals (the chase car driver is a current U-2 Pilot from 9RW) and the cars are leased.

The chase cars used range really but they're always automatic and high performance - Normally BMW 3/5 series, Saab 9-3/9-5's, Mercades Sl/Cl's etc.

Once the change-over is complete, the team and car returns back until next time!

[ChristiaanJ]

Originally Posted by MichaelBuckle

Only just came across this when searching, so sorry for bringing up a old thread!

Please, no apologies!
Even if it's only a snippet, it's always welcome!

CJ

[[email protected]]

The Dragonlady used to do a nice line in wing-drop stalls as demonstrated by a new pilot on the Island doing circuits and trying to wave to his girlfriend who was sunbathing on the Southern Cliffs.

I had previously thought that they used full power on takeoff but when I heard the 'throttle-up' and saw the aircraft disappear from view with about 40 deg AoB and the same nose down I realised there was more power available and he used it all.

I believe he went about 10 miles downwind to calm his nerves before returning to land, getting a bollocking and leaving for home within 24 hours

[Cows getting bigger]

He was lucky. I presuming you're talking about the same island where ATC/Ops/met took a hit from a U2 in 1977.

[[email protected]]

That would be the one