RAF. Lockheed U.2 ?

[TsrJoe]

A bit of a long shot, i recall a book launch at Telford a few years ago for a U2 history by Chris Pocock, im looking for a snap of the Lockheed display model which was on the authors signing table, I seem to recall it had roundels on the black finish ? (im wandering if it was part of Lockheeds ASTOR proposals or a stand alone submission?) I dont recall seeing the U.2 noted as a type the RAF. were interested in purchasing directly?  altho I do no a number of RAF. pilots flew the aircraft operationally

Cheers, Joe

[PR19_Kit]

Didn't I just read this post a while ago?

[TsrJoe]

Yip, id posted it in the wrong section, 

One of my tasks during the festive break is to see if I can find the folder of relevant Telford snaps, im sure I photographed the model in question 

Cheers, Joe

[Dizzyfugu]

The RAF would have certainly insisted on a Spey in the tail, and PRU Blue should look good on an U-2, too...?

[PR19_Kit]

I dunno know why they'd have needed U-2s when they already had Meteor PR19s..............

[Leading Observer]

I dunno know why they'd have needed U-2s when they already had Meteor PR19s..............

[TsrJoe]

Hehe, good point Kit  

Roy Braybrook sketched a U.2 like Hunter derivative c. late 60's, I finished a model of same in overall PRU.blue, def suited the colour

Cheers, joe

[PR19_Kit]

Roy Braybrook sketched a U.2 like Hunter derivative c. late 60's, I finished a model of same in overall PRU.blue, def suited the colour

I've seen the drawing and your model Joe.

It looks superb, and a suitable candidate for a Freightdog conversion if only Revell would re-pop either of its Hunter kits!

[KJ_Lesnick]

PRU Blue wouldn't be good for the U-2 except maybe on top as the sky's black at high altitude or very very dark blue.  You would want something like

1. Bottom: Dark-blue/black
2. Top: Hill Grey variation would have been decent

[PR19_Kit]

PRU Blue wouldn't be good for the U-2 except maybe on top as the sky's black at high altitude or very very dark blue.  You would want something like

1. Bottom: Dark-blue/black
2. Top: Hill Grey variation would have been decent

But it looks GREAT!

[Dizzyfugu]

I'd go with PRU Blue or Medium Sea Grey upper sides (or even both for a two-tone scheme? The European U-2s based in Germany carried a two-tone erap-around scheme in light grey and light blue grey, IIRC) and Extra Dark Sea Grey undersides, which should be effective at altitude.

[KJ_Lesnick]

Dizzyfugu,

I thought they were all painted black?

[McColm]

NASA has a few white and blue ones.

[PR19_Kit]

The early U-2s weren't painted at all, they were still in NMF even when the USAF started flying them.

[Dizzyfugu]

Dizzyfugu,

I thought they were all painted black?

No, only later machines (when the TR-1 started) were black, AFAIK.
Here's one in that two-tone scheme: