Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>U-2>HA6905

General Background

In 1954 Lockheed received approval to produce a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The creation of this aircraft went to Lockheed’s Skunk Works and the famous Kelly Johnson. The aircraft, a single-engine jet that could provide images day or night over Soviet territory, was labeled U-2 (U=utility) and given the name “Dragon Lady”. The first test flight took place in 1955 and was used by the CIA and the USAF during the Cold War. The U-2 came to international notoriety in 1960 when one piloted by Gary Power was shot down over the Soviet Union.

The Aircraft

The Lockheed U-2 first flew in 1955 with the last being delivered in 1989 for a total of 32. NASA has two U-2s that were converted for scientific purposes to perform a variety of high-altitude missions around the world. The first ER-2 was acquired by NASA in 1981 and a second aircraft in 1989 and are now located at the Dryden Flight Research Center. At one point in time there were 3 ER-2s but one was returned to the USAF. The two remaining aircraft tail numbers are 809 and 806.

Specifications :

ER-2 Owner/Operator:	NASA Armstrong (Dryden) Flight Research Center
Aircraft Type:	High Altitude Research
Crew:	1
Duration:	12 hours depending on payload and weather
Payload:	2,900 lbs
Gross Take-off Weight:	40,000 lbs
Maximum Altitude:	70,000 ft
Air Speed:	410 knots
Range:	5,000 Nmi
Power:	30 kVA, (115 VAC at 400 Hz) 10kVA (28 VDC)