1/18 U2 Spy Plane

[Jnewboy]

I was wondering if anyone had ever considered making one? As it is a highly modified F-104....

[tmanthegreat]

While there are similarities in looks and a common designer (Lockheed's Kelly Johnson) the U-2 and F-104 are both significantly different aircraft and the U-2 was designed from the ground up as its own airframe. The early U-2s were almost scratch-builds, using a lot of "off the shelf" parts that Lockheed had on hand. For example, its control yolk was the same used in the P-38

That said, when the F-104 was first released several years ago, I do recall some discussion around here about the very idea of customizing one into a U-2

[Jnewboy]

While there are similarities in looks and a common designer (Lockheed's Kelly Johnson) the U-2 and F-104 are both significantly different aircraft and the U-2 was designed from the ground up as its own airframe. The early U-2s were almost scratch-builds, using a lot of "off the shelf" parts that Lockheed had on hand. For example, its control yolk was the same used in the P-38

That said, when the F-104 was first released several years ago, I do recall some discussion around here about the very idea of customizing one into a U-2

Thats not what I have read, "Johnson's design, called the CL-282, married long glider-like wings to the fuselage of another of his designs, the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter." is on Wikipedia but I have read the same thing elsewhere. Yesterday I was watching a spy planes show on H2 and they said the same thing, thats why I thought of this, in 1/18

[Threetoughtrucks]

How about the 103 foot wingspan? That would make for a huge 1/18 plane.

TTT

[Jnewboy]

How about the 103 foot wingspan? That would make for a huge 1/18 plane.

TTT

I calculate 103 ft wing span in 1/18 being a 5.72 foot wing span?? That is big

[aferguson]

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/ca ... e&dir=desc


it's a U-2R. Virtually dead on 1/18 scale. Get the cheapest one but you'll have to paint it black.

[Threetoughtrucks]

OK, so it is a cool A/C..... but do you want to use up your available display space with a 5' wingspan plane? If you flew it, then I'd agree to it.

If I could get a detailed 1/18 PBY, then I'd make room, or a B-25, I'd consider it.

BTW - While I was in VN, at least twice a week, I used to watch a U-2 take off from Bien Hoa Air Base and flew over my compound while gaining altitude. Super impressive, never got a pic though. I could never figure out why they flew over us, flying west instead of heading east over water like the rest of the hundreds of A/C stationed there.

Impressive, even more so, when each U-2 was individually and shared no interchangeable parts with other U-2s.

TTT

[flyboy_fx]

I like it! But I would like to fly it also!

[snake]

Would be ridiculously big in 1/18.

But would love to see one in 1/72.

[aferguson]

you guys are lightweights. I've got a bunch of 5 foot span planes and am planning more. I don't have the U2 yet but may get it. Never was a huge fan of the plane but i may try to squeeze it in someday.

[aferguson]

my U2 arrived today. It's quite nice and an impressive size. I got the basic, unpainted kit but the canopy comes pre-painted and there is a nice, small, sheet of decals. Overall i'm quite keen on it. I've got an old kenex astronaut figure i've been saving for years to use as a pilot for just such an occassion.

Here's a cool youtube video of a cockpit view of a U-2 trainer at 70,000 feet. 70,000 feet is a lot higher than i imagined. It looks like they're in outer space.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vDNtHvjmPo

[Tinman]

Hey, that was a fun video - thank you for sharing.

[Threetoughtrucks]

Super video. Wow.

TTT

[gouchy]

Nice video

Here's another video of a U2 flight that I just watched last week.

James May of the BBC's Top Gear goes up as a passenger, the pilot of this flight is the same asian guy seen helping out in pre-flight in aferg's video

A little more details into U2 flight like the pilot having a drink and his awesomely geeky spectacles, the retro side mirror on the nose, view of instruments, etc and more awesome shots looking out of the cockpit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2MhQWVs ... re=related

Edit:

Here's a longer cut of the same flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKd2j_Z- ... re=related