Lockheed U-2G N808X
Central Intelligence Agency - Lockheed U-2G N808X. One of several U-2s procured by the CIA, for operations from aircraft carriers, fitted with lift-dumping spoilers, stronger undercarriages and arrestor hooks. On 29 February 1964, Bob Schumacher alighted on the USS Ranger in U-2G N808X, to make the type's first trapped landing. It nearly ended in disaster when the aircraft bounced just as the hook caught the wire the aircraft pitched forward and the nose hit the deck. This aircraft is known to have operated from CVA-61 USS Ranger for tests 2-5 March 1964, (U-2G N801X and N808X, with O.N.R. titles), and operationally in May 1964 for Operation Seeker (and maybe again in 1965/66)
Picture No
13450707
Media ID
47796184
Size
5433px x 3497px
(2.5MB)
Credit
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans
Source
unattributed photographer - scanned from a contemporary print
Date
circa 1960
