Tim Roosevelt

Planes That Changed History - Lockheed U-2 Tim Roosevelt

The Lockheed U-2 has been flying since the early days of the Cold War. In the 1950s, it was the number one spy plane when aerial photos of missile sites or air bases were needed. Faster spy planes such as the Lockheed SR-71 and Lockheed A-12 have come and gone, but the U-2 remains in service. This book about the U-2 is 20 pages in length and carries text and an image on each page. The book is for young readers who would enjoy something more substantial than a picture book about airplanes in general. It delves into things that are interesting about the U-2, such as its aerodynamic qualities, Cold War history, physiological challenges of high-altitude flight... but all in a very simple and easy-to-follow manner. It touches upon the attributes of the U-2 that made it so unique... it's enormous wingspan, its unparalleled ability to soar to altitudes of 70,000 feet, and its stark simplicity. These led to its success as a high-altitude camera platform. The plane has been described as a sailplane with an engine. Maybe the description is apt in some ways, given the plane's wingspan in proportion to its fuselage. But that engine, a General Electric F118-101 used in current models of the U-2, is by no means a power plant suited for a glider. One of the interesting aspects of the U-2 is it longevity, with a career that spanned from the early Cold War years of the 1950s to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 to current day operations. In simple terms that young readers would enjoy, this book touches upon the principles of lift, drag, and weight. It describes how these things were at the heart of the U-2's success, but in a very basic way, without complex aerodynamic theory. The book talks about physiological preparation for high-altitude flight. It touches upon U-2 food that comes in tubes. It discusses the famous May 1, 1960 incident in which the U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union. The U-2 might not be as fast as the Blackbird family that included the SR-71 and the A-12. Those planes hit speeds in excess of 2,000 mph and flew at altitudes between 80,000 and 90,000 feet. But the U-2 story is one that young readers would likely find just as interesting.