The Lockheed U-2: A Photographic History of the Famous Cold War Spy Plane

Examines the Lockheed U-2, its history, missions, and demanding pilot experience beyond Cold War spy roles. The Lockheed U-2 ‘Dragon Lady’ has long been associated as a symbol of the Cold War due to several news events of that era. Much of this was the result of the news surrounding well-known incident when Gary Powers’ U-2 was brought down by Soviet missiles over Russia in 1960 and his subsequent capture. There was also the events in 1962, when Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. was also shot down, this time over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Though it is commonly characterized as a spy plane, as the author reveals here there is so much more to the U-2 than that. Since the Cold War, and even with the advent of satellite and drone technology, many may not be aware that the U-2 is still flying today, and still performing vital surveillance missions in many of the world’s hot spots of military or political turmoil. These can often be demanding missions, flights which take place at high altitude and lasting for many hours, taxing the endurance of even the very best pilots.