Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!uxc!deimos.cis.ksu.edu!Intrepid!gwaterfi
From: gwaterfi@Intrepid.ece.ukans.edu (Glenn A. Waterfield)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: AFSCs was SR71 to be retired October 1st, rumors regarding SR-71
Summary: It's true.....
Message-ID: <373@Intrepid.ece.ukans.edu>
Date: 24 Mar 89 20:48:00 GMT
References: <976@nbife.NBI.COM> <2070004@hpcilzb.HP.COM>
Organization: Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept., Univ. of Kansas
Lines: 34

In article <2070004@hpcilzb.HP.COM>, phil@hpcilzb.HP.COM (Phil Ritchey) writes:
> While we are on a related subject, I have a question about the U2.
> I have heard from several sources, that the older U2 spy planes
> used to eject the two wing wheels on take-off.  The prefered
> method to land, was to put these wheels back on, although
> it could land without them.  The way this was done, was
> for a couple of guys in a jeep to chase the plane down the
> runway and reattach the wing wheels, while it made a very low altitude, 
> very low speed pass.  The story I heard, was the the newer ones,
> had retractable wing wheels.  We have a U2 go very low over our
> plant almost every day, on it's landing approach to Mofett field.
> It has two wheels down, one in the nose, and one on the tail, but
> no visable wing wheels.  Anyone know the true story?
> 
> Phil


	You heard it it right about the wing wheels being dropped
	and the guys in the chase vehicle. I've seen it several
	times in '75. You could say the U2 was flying *very* low,
	it is on the ground, rolling slowly. The guys jump out
	of the chase vehicle, run along side the U2, grab the
	wings and insert the wing wheels. All the time the 
	pilot tries to keep the wing tips from dragging the ground.
	Kind of funny to watch, but it works. I'm not sure
	there would be enough room in the wings for retractable
	landing gear.


--------
Glenn A. Waterfield		Internet: gwaterfi@intrepid.ece.ukans.edu
Electrical & Computer Eng.	
University of Kansas		Voice: (913) 864-3177
Lawrence, Kansas 66045