Neubeck, Ken The Lockheed U-2

A Photographic History of the Famous Cold War Spy Plane

The Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady has long been regarded as a symbol of the Cold War due to several news events of that period. This was mainly due to the coverage of the well-known incident when Gary Powers' U-2 was shot down by Soviet missiles over Russia in 1960 and he was subsequently captured. Added to this were the events of 1962, when Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. was also shot down, this time over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although commonly characterised as a spy plane, the U-2 has much more to offer, as the author points out here. Since the Cold War and despite the advent of satellite and drone technology, many may not know that the U-2 is still flying today and continues to carry out important surveillance missions in many of the world's hotspots of military or political unrest. These are often demanding missions, flights that take place at high altitudes and last many hours, testing the endurance of even the best pilots. There is a demanding and rigorous selection process for potential U-2 pilots, which Ken Neubeck describes in detail in his commentary. It is noteworthy that after the Cold War, the U-2 proved its worth in the 1991 Gulf War, where it provided significant aerial surveillance of potential Iraqi targets prior to the start of the war. This book not only examines the unique history of the aircraft, but also deals with the extensive pilot training and flight operation requirements that are unlike any other military flight training. With a wingspan of over 30 metres, the U-2's take-off and landing sequence requires extreme piloting skills and the use of removable pogo devices at the end of each wing. Previous books on the U-2 have addressed this unique aspect of the type, but mostly in narrative form rather than in a series of images, as is done in detail in this book. The story of the U-2 continues, and Ken Neubeck takes a look at the future prospects of this most famous spy plane ever to take to the skies.