Lockhead U-2K

[F-32]

With all variants of Canberra literally flying out of the door as quickly as they could be produced, English Electric were struggling to fulfil all of the orders.  With export customers paying more than the RAF it was the British forces that were pushed down the delivery list.

As a stop gap until the PR.9 could be manufactured, the RAF decided to lease (later purchase) a squadron of Lockhead U-2's.  These aircraft were modified to include the non-afterburning Rolls Royce Avon and as much British flying equipment as possible without compromising the famous 'space suit' worn by all U-2 pilots.

After the U-2K's were purchased (3 years after their delivery) the aircraft were modified as satellite spotters to keep an eye on Russian satellites and to aid USAFE F-15 satellite killers.  Later in their lives the RAF added the distinctive spine and crammed it full of electronic equipment so that the aircraft could act as a high level jammer.

Trials were also conducted to see how the airframe could handle a limited strike roll.  U-2 pilots complained that it sometimes took to long to bring weapons to bare after they had found the target (especially scub launchers).  With this in mind two hardpoints were added, one carried a TIALD pod and the other a single 1000lb LGB.  The trials were successful but it was found that the target could move from a sparse area into a populated area (or indeed another country) whilst the bomb was dropping from the height the U-2 operated at.

[F-32]

Pic 2.

The kit is the re-release of the Airfix U2.  The kit goes together well, with some filler needed in the usual areas (wing roots) but mine appeared to have two fuselage halves that were different sizes so I needed to lay filler all along the join.

Painted up in hemp and gray with markings taken from the Welsh models 1/144 Vulcan and the Airfix Javelin kit.  Tail markings are hand painted.

Apologies about the quality of the pictures, can't seem to get the picture quality and picture size to join up!

[Supertom]

Sweeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!  

What's with the olive oil?  Were the engines redone to fly on that stuff?

[Brian da Basher]

F-32, that U-2 looks great in those colors and British markings! You've built a real eye-catcher there! Love the backstory too!

Brian da Basher

P.S. The olive oil, as everyone knows, was Kelly Johnson's innovation to further improve high-altitude performance (and make yummy in-flight salads).

[Mike Wren]

oooh that's lovely!    

[lancer]

Lovely little build and backstory F32, sweet looking U2

[NARSES2]

Thats one nice U2

Chris

[Leigh]

Love it, looks just "right"    

[K5054NZ]

Fanbleedintastic F32! I like it very much!   Great job, and so.....plausible.

This, coming the day after U2 (the band) postpones their two NZ shows next weekend.....I was't going, but "feck" anyway.  

[Ollie]

Oh, that's one clever build!

^_^    

Congrats!