Soviet U2-Ski

[Alvis 3.1]

During the period of time that the Soviet airforce was unable to bring down an U2, several options were explored. One was converting the new MiG-21 into a high altitude interceptor by adopting a similar wing planform to the U2 itself. This had not been completed when Powers' U2 was brought down by a barrrage of SA-2 missiles.
The resulting political fallout resulted in the US vowing to cease the overflights, but never really trusting the West, the Soviet command ordered Mikoyan to complete its "Interceptor of Intrusive Overflyers". With the aquisition of the downed U2, design features could be studied and analysed. As a result, the MiG design incorporated a very similar wing to the U2.
With few aircraft to intercept, Mikoyan turned the majority of the planes it had built into long range reconnaissance aircraft. Very little is known about their missions or theatres of operation, but several were spotted over Egypt in the early 1980s. Confirmation of its existence finally happened in 1998 on Devon Island high in the Canadian Arctic. A team of NASA researchers doing training for Mars missions came across an aircraft that had glided in to a gentle crash landing. Missing it's canopy and ejection seat, it had been abandoned in flight for some reason and sign of the pilot was ever found. It was determined the plane had been there for as much as 15 years. Assigned the NATO codename "Madeup", very little has been revealed about the aircraft, with both Russian and Western intelligence agencies clamping a secure lid on the whole saga.


Alvis 3.1

[datguy]

Very nice, Alvis

But I think I hate you.  This one's been in my head for ages.  I even have the Airfix Mig and U-2 set aside.

Well, many a love's been lost for acourtin' too slow.  My hat's off to you for doing instead of thinking...

DG

[Alvis 3.1]

Well..turns out you are not the only one thinking along those lines as well...been there myelf too!
It's either frightening or humbling to realise just HOW many of us think alike...sick minds seldom differ?
I used an old Academy MiG 21 and the wings from an Airfix U2 for this.



Alvis 3.1

[Tophe]

Your U-2ski model is very nice, very original

BUT... this is a very bad concurrence for dear M-17 Stratosfera,
from http://www.aeronautics.ru/m17.jpg
and your one is not twin-boom, so no Air Force should prefer it. Please...

[Gary]

She's a lovely peice of work mate!

[Radish]

Inspired and inspirational.
Fabulous  

[anthonyp]

LOL!  "Madeup"...  Too cool!

Awesome as always, Alvis!

   

[Alvis 3.1]

Your U-2ski model is very nice, very original

BUT... this is a very bad concurrence for dear M-17 Stratosfera,
and your one is not twin-boom, so no Air Force should prefer it. Please...

Lol..very true, the Statosphera is a much prettier airplane. However, it was originally designed to shoot down recoanissance balloons the USAF was sending over the USSR...BALLOONS! Really...not very macho is that now?


My inspiration for this and the Corona was the U2 itself. it was based on a fast climbing point defence interceptor. My mind began wandering: If you could take a F-104 and make it into a U2, why not the other planes like that from that time, the MiG-21 and the Lightning? I suppose a Mirage III would fit in there too...ah..back to the hobby shop for another U2 kit!



Alvis 3.1


(PS: What would a good name for a slow, high flying spying Mirage be?)

[Hobbes]

Easy: What's the french word for 'jetstream'?  

[datguy]

I suppose a Mirage III would fit in there too...ah..back to the hobby shop for another U2 kit!

No, not a U-2.  Use the wing surfaces from a 1/144 Airfix Caravelle, or better yet the Heller 1/100 Caravelle.  Tres bien. Tres Francais. (My apologies to all of those can actually write, speak, and understand French )

DG

[Eddie M.]

I really dig the look of this one B) . So much so, that I went and finished my U-16 FalconGaze. Thanks for the kick start!  
    Eddie

[The Rat]

Another winner Alvis!        

[BlackOps]

I like it!    


Jeff G.

[Brian da Basher]

Man Alvis you're on a roll! I just love this U-2 theme you've got going here.

Brian da Basher

[Andrew Gorman]

Chandelle has a nice article on high altitude interceptors at:
http://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v4/v4n1-2/...2/balloons.html
Covers the M-17 and an armed AN-2!
Andrew