Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA6906Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady 80-1083, 99th ERS / 9th RW, RAF Fairford, 202
General Background
In 1954 Lockheed received approval to produce a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The creation of this aircraft went to Lockheed’s Skunk Works and the famous Kelly Johnson. The aircraft, a single-engine jet that could provide images day or night over Soviet territory, was labeled U-2 (U=utility) and given the name “Dragon Lady”. The first test flight took place in 1955 and was used by the CIA and the USAF during the Cold War. The U-2 came to international notoriety in 1960 when one piloted by Gary Power was shot down over the Soviet Union.
Hobby Master HA6906, Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady 80-1083, 99th ERS / 9th RW, 1:72
Manufacturer – Lockheed Skunk Works
Number Produced or Converted – 104
Role – High-altitude Reconnaissance
Crew – 1
First Deployment Date U-2R – 1967 U-2S - 1994
Dimensions
Length U-2R – 63 ft U-2S – 63 ft Wingspan U-2R – 103 ft U-2S – 103 ft
Weight
Empty U-2R – 14,900 lbs U-2S – 16,000 lbs Maximum Take-off U-2R – 41,000 lbs U-2S – 41,000 lbs
Performance
Powerplant U-2R – P7W J75-P-13B Thrust – 17,000 lbst U-2R – GE F-118-101 Thrust – 19,000 lbst
Ceiling
U-2R – 80,000 ft U-2S – 90,000 ft Range U-2R – 3,500 miles U-2S – 4,600 miles
