U-2 Flight Manual: Models U-2C and U-2F Aircraft (Manuals of Flight) Paperback – October 1, 2001

The CIA's U-2 program was approved by President Eisenhower in December 1954, and the first aircraft flew within two years. It provided invaluable intelligence to the US by flying over forbidden airspace. It became famous May 1, 1960 when one was shot down over the Soviet Union by a Surface-to-Air Missile, and Francis Gary Powers, the pilot, was captured and tried. The manual gives a wealth of detail on the aircraft. There are drawings of the general configuration (three views), cockpit arrangement, instrument panel, driftsight sextant system. Also lotsa charts and graphs on such things as dead-engine-glide distance, fuel and oxygen vs time, speed-envelope vs altitude. Also check lists like Flameout Landing Procedure, Emergency Procedures, Pilot Comfort, Emergency Canopy Jettison. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in special aircraft and The Cold War.

This is one of the coolest books I have ever owned. I feel like I could climb into the cockpit of one of these bad boys and take it for a spin!!

I have an interest in virtually every aircraft, and when a re-print of a U-2 manual comes available, then its a must-buy. The re-print is excellent, very clear and satisfying to read!