U2 and B52 FAIRFORD 4K

A stop at Fairford on my way to Lakenheath saw a B52 and U2 heading out. I waited a few hours to catch the B52 returning but the U2 stayed out until dark. Was looking forward to the return of the U2 as I’d like to post up a vid showing the reassembly of the jockey wheels on the wings. On the brighter side it is an excuse for another visit.
I should have a video ready soon of the USAF F16s from Aviano in Italy visiting Lakenheath.
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/ dafyddphillips
Appreciate you watching, likes and comments
Daf

[@donhuffty9905]

I watched a U2 take off in 1963 at Barksdale AFB and the only time I have ever seen an aircraft go straight up until it disappeared. Absolutely take your breath away. Tks again for another great video

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks Don. It’s a pretty amazing plane

[@Darknamja]

They were even more impressive after upgrading to the GE F-118-101 engine from the old PW J57 and PW J75. I watched them take off on a daily basis for years while stationed in the ROK. My maintenance shop was adjacent to the taxiway and runway. 😎

[@gcm747]

It amazes me that two aircraft that first flew in the early to mid 50’s are still faithfully serving some 65 years on. And what is perhaps even more amazing is that the B-52 first flew just 49 years after the Wright brothers did.

[@mhamma6560]

That U2 is stuffed full with the most crazy intel gathering equipment. So many goodies in the nose and that dorsal pod, it's crazy what they pick up. They listen in on everything from walkie talkies, phones, intercept sat trans, etc.... It's a very potent weapon for having no armament. It's also an airborne network node for troops and aircraft -- it's like a flying cell tower for relaying ground comms. Most of the troops don't even realize they're present because they're so high up.

[@topfelya]

U2 take off is so impressive. I love that vertical climb !

[@محمدالسعدني-ظ2م]

@Koosha Las Vegas Ex Muslim حبيبي كيف حالك

[@celdo84]

And it leaves its tyres behind.. 😅

[@chrisfeleciano-ws1ze]

I live in Sacramento CA and 25 years mather airbase was a strategic base for the B-52'S as kids we would see them everyday fly right over the park we playing at it was awesome I so miss seeing them fly by--so thanks for sharing brings back a lot of memories...

[@NikCan66]

Brilliant footage yet again.

[@leodikinis7390]

WOW! Again thanks for the morning footage. Can't wait for the re-engined BUF.

[@fleetwarrior75]

These two 50’s classics still going hard!

[@NikhilSingh-de5vj]

Simply USA is master in making flying machines of different shape, sizes and utility.

[@davidbarrett1487]

Modern engines could be fitted, but it’s the cost, an ace of a plane, iconic, a pleasure to see. 🇬🇧👍👍👍

[@Maurice_Moss]

I heard a rumour the might be putting Rolls Royce engines on it 🤔

[@davidbarrett1487]

Yes, outer engines only.. Dave.

[@rosewhite---]

I always smile at U2 and B52 taking off and both designed over 60 years ago! Amazing design teams in those days.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Agreed 🎓👍

[@UkrainianSpotter]

I thought the An-225 Mriya had a big trail of smoke on takeoff but the B52 took it to the next level.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Phantoms like to leave a little trail too 💨💨💨

[@rickbrown7067]

The Slavic Spotter That’s nothing compared to a D model on water injection trying to take odd, talk about noise and black smoke!

[@Darknamja]

@@DafyddPhillips Not as much for the models that went smokeless. The F-4N (updated F-4Bs) with smokeless engines. The F-4S model resulted from the refurbishment of 265 F-4Js with J79-GE-17 smokeless engines of 17,900 lbf (79.379 kN). 👀

[@delten-eleven1910]

Looks like the chase car driver had quick manoeuvring to avoid that incoming outrigger. 03:10

[@telkirton]

Thanks Dafydd for sharing..

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks for watching Tel 👍

[@vaniatoldo8432]

U2 MAGNIFICENT ... 😍💗 Your footage is beautiful too 👌

[@DafyddPhillips]

Its an amazing aircraft. Thanks for watching and always appreciate your comments 😎👍

[@eatcommies1375]

AWESOME! U2 “we never forget who we’re working for”🇺🇸😉

[@philt5782]

As much as I'm always impressed by the B52 that U2 heading out was stunning. Thanks for sharing.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks for watching Phil 👍

[@xplane0015]

Good camera shots. I wanted to see U-2 in my total life.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you. If you go to fairford then you may see one. There’s two there 👍

[@davidthomas9190]

Magnificent 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks David 👍

[@davidthomas9190]

@@DafyddPhillips you're very welcome

[@puirYorick]

3:05 The Dragon Lady kicks off her bedroom slippers before hopping into the upper bunk for some evening duties.

[@kiloechocharlie1342]

heh heh...

[@georgekraus9357]

She is dressed in a hot black Vicky outfit for 8 hours of bliss

[@emileggimann3026]

Those U2's are absolutely Amazing

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

My dad was stationed t McCoy A.F.B. in Orlando,Florida (1972-74) and I would often see the U-2 taking off and flying over our house. (we lived on base).

[@DougBrighTan_o7]

Absolutely beautiful 😎✨️

[@javierstieben9465]

Los 2 aviones militares más antiguos en servicio!. EXCELENTES IMÁGENES!. FELICITACIONES!.👏👏👏👏👍

[@danapeck5382]

Very much appreciate your uploads

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks Dana. Appreciate you viewing 😎👍

[@planestrainswildlife]

Excellent footage again Dafydd, I especially like how you managed to capture the star burst effect on the B52 landing lights👍👏 keep them coming, I can always make time in my day to watch your work 😁

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you Andy. Hope you like f16s?? Should have something up in a day or two ✈️🇺🇸👍

[@planestrainswildlife]

@@DafyddPhillips I certain do, I managed to get to the Mach Loop a couple of weeks back, not much went through but I loved it all the same, Cad east is great and I'm looking forward to getting back there again soon.👍

[@1982MCI]

Dafydd Phillips bring on the 16’s!! I used to work on the 15’s & 16’s and I spent a couple hours in the back seat of a 15 when I was stationed at Eglin AFB and I don’t think there is anything that will be able to replace that flight as my most memorable moment of my life!! There’s just nothing that will ever be able to make you feel like your alive more than one of our Air Forces Jets can!!! Thank you for bringing us these video’s!! Stay safe out there

[@vimmeh]

Such graceful machines, the B52's usually appear on 360Radar but the U2's can only be heard talking to Brize/Fairford radar.

[@DafyddPhillips]

I tracked the B52 back from Germany here. I’m told the U2 have been known to have a transponder on when below a certain altitude. I’ve not seen them though

[@owenevans83]

Dafydd Phillips every so often the u2s appear on adsb, depending on their transponder

[@vimmeh]

Dafydd Phillips That's interesting to know about the U2 transponders, it makes sense as I guess they don't want to be seen at lower altitudes incase of some for of attack.I see the B52's turn them off on landing approaches, but also suddenly appearing on virtual radar out of nowhere as they are looping around Brize, could be a virtual radar glitch too. However you don't need radar to hear them within a few miles distance :)

[@stuartdandybenchillboy]

Nice comment but you should know that there are no apostrophes in the B52s and U2s.

[@vimmeh]

Stuart Dandy even for multiple aircraft?

[@benfufu5587]

these planes have the wingspan of sick

[@CharlieGolfAviation]

Very nice indeed

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you

[@bastadimasta]

Gigantic wings

[@malcolmcossar6447]

Great Catches! Always a Treat to see Two legends!👍👏

[@flaviusgaiusumbrusturcorim2569]

Who is that handsome plane, o it's me

[@taofledermaus]

More stunning imagery. I'm confused, are you visiting England? - I thought you were from the Calif. area.

[@peterscandlyn]

More stunning imagery is right! That U2 on the out and the B52 on the in especially - he was way off the centreline. Grateful for your work and fingers crossed you can one day pick up the U2 on return. Any excuse.....

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you both. I live in Wales but try and get out to CA when I can to Death Valley. Fingers crossed I will be able to return soon 🤞 The plan was to capture the U2 returning from half way down the runway where it stops and has the jockey wheel re attached. It’s a reason to come back 😎😁👍

[@ritual301]

@@DafyddPhillips Ha, not gonna lie, I was hoping to see the U2 landing in this video. Slightly odd, that one it is, in the way it takes off and lands. Definitely a good reason to come back on over😉 Cheers, and thank you!

[@weirdsciencethe2nd205]

Hi jeff

[@symie8]

Excellent. Wondered if you'd be heading to Fairfield. Who knows! You might catch the B52s flying trail in the Loop next 😜😉 Thanks for sharing again Sir.

[@usmilitarytv1944]

U-2 Dragon Lady 👍

[@NatralSelection]

2:58 - I like how the cop tried to keep up with him as long as possible, lol.

[@Forensource]

Not a cop, it is another US pilot giving him guidance on how the takeoff looks.

[@MachineHeadDissent]

Love to be the chase car driver!!!...🤙😎🤘

[@DafyddPhillips]

To be a u2 car chase driver you have to be a u2 pilot. Great place to put a go pro ✈️👍

[@MachineHeadDissent]

Dafydd Phillips That would be a great place for a GoPro for sure!!!...🤙😎🤘

[@rubensanmaurodelbosqur1950]

Excelente video 👍

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you Ruben 👍

[@mallyjoyplaneflighttv]

Amazing footage mate 👍

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you 👍

[@LiquidCat-99]

That backing driving skill at 2:52

[@rickdavis3593]

Dragon Lady wearing her finest accessories.

[@DrRchannel71]

wow, excellent post

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you 👍

[@Jarek_73]

Interesting video! No stills this time? Pity! On the other hand I wouldn´t know which moment turn into a photo either. The very end is a perfect dessert! 🍩😉

[@juliecasey5196]

Awesome

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you

[@dobermanpac1064]

I haven’t seen this pair in awhile. Nice catch 🤠

[@AnastasisGarametsis]

Superb!

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you

[@patallen5095]

Thanks for this! Both absolute beauties!! Keeping the Ruskies on their toes!!

[@Horizon344]

Amazing the USAF is still flying 1950's aeroplanes on active service. @2.03 - hanger need some new paint.

[@putingoaway1963]

Интересное видео, с детства люблю самолёты и аэродромы. А левую стойку шасси U2 так починить не удалось? А B52 оказывается , та ещё " коптилка".

[@chrismitchell4808]

I seen this at RIAT 2022, with UK armed response police, and The elite RAF Regiment guarding these air assets.

[@Roadrunner556]

Hey there little Dragon Lady 🥰

[@marthabrandy-phillips9595]

amazing 👏🏼👏🏼

[@aaahtex902]

**THOSE B52's SMOKE LIKE HELL!!!**

[@user-ko3vg7fc7o]

Easy to tell it aint no hybrid huh?

[@siberiantiger3917]

What a weird looking updated U-2 at 1:50! It's the plane world's CYRANO DE BERGERAC.

[@kevincasady8992]

You need to come over when the Air Force has Red Flag at Nellis AFB, if they are using B-52s it's quite the smoke show when they take off! They had three of them one year, you saw and heard the first one, could kinda see the second and the third you just heard it! The landing pattern is to the north over the racetrack and truck stop. Watched them do their thing many times when I drove a semi.

[@DafyddPhillips]

I’ve spent some rime taking stills from gate 6. Not videod there yet !! 🇺🇸✈️🇺🇸✈️

[@Badger3299]

Добре ... хорошее видео

[@spiritdancer1699]

I didn't see a U2 but on Wednesday last week I did see 2 b52 take off, I was driving home from work in Swindon via Cricklade around 3.30/4 Pm

[@hammersandnails1458]

When you need to chase a jet down the runway, get a Dodge, apparently.

[@CycleGranCanarias]

2 questions, what is the purpose of the chase car and how does it land with no wing wheels?

[@DafyddPhillips]

The chase car is driven by a U2 pilot who guide the pilot in the plane. When it lands the wing tips titanium skids skim the runway until the plane stops. The chase car will then re attach the jockey wheels on the wings

[@ball1stik766]

What camera do you use for your still shots? Cheers from Texas!

[@DafyddPhillips]

I use a canon 1dx2 and a 300mm f2.8 for the stills. I may use a 1.4 converter if needed Thanks

[@Missed_Apex_GT]

❤️

[@Հայաստան0805]

USA💪🏼🇺🇸💪🏼USA

[@saintsi6997]

Solid

[@Panycirco1970]

Donde se pueden ver este tipo de aviones? Gracias

[@hrvojegrgic5111]

U2 still looks totally alien

[@DafyddPhillips]

Agreed 👽👍

[@백운오-c5x]

good !

Both the U-2 and the B-52 are older than the crew that are flying them and they are still getting the job done

[@horror11]

u2 is still in use after 60 years even though they tell us that millions of "satelites" are in space and can read even a sms on ur smartphone while u sit in a cafe.

[@jacobsgranddaughter]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️

[@Ian-hv1dc]

Respect from the100th

[@DafyddPhillips]

🇺🇸👍

[@TheBillo733]

God bless America

[@Tomtom-ge9gb]

Tolles Video. Wie lange bei der U-2 beim Start das Fahrwerk draussen bleibt.?? Grüße aus Deutschland

[@Nrgodzilla]

i live in bishops cleeve and the B52's come over quite often now, but they're never on flight radar!

[@andybenn]

Really. I watched a u2 fly over recently but I told you that already ✈️

[@Uap-i3o]

Is this aircraft a constant fixture at Fairford .

[@DafyddPhillips]

I’m unsure if it’s constantly there but there are two of them here and have been for a year or so.

[@staycxld]

What the hell, the USAF still flies these?

[@stkfc7440]

that's one dirty bird

[@triblues7065]

U2 is still active up to this day?

[@LCTRgames]

U2 seems to keep it gear down a long time after take-off compared to 'normal' jet aircraft?

[@DafyddPhillips]

Unusual that 👍🎓

[@Naduron0]

wow a working U2 after so many years?

[@zambimaru]

I'm surprised they let you film the U2.

[@ATGG]

What's the reason for/of a/the Chase Car?

[@DafyddPhillips]

Every take off and landing has a chase car to assist. The driver of the car has to be a U2 pilot also

[@ATGG]

@@DafyddPhillips Wow! Thanks for the info!

[@jej3451]

@@ATGG Probably to scream "Your wing is about to hit the ground!!!" to the pilot.

[@KeyboardWarrior101st]

What in the world is that additional housing on the top of the U-2? That wasn't on the old ones.

[@davidflanagan1653]

What the purpose of the chase car with the U-2?

[@Tomteeejay]

See following www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/news/a27570/air-force-tesla-u-2-spy-plane/ The U-2 is a difficult aircraft to take off and land hence the requirement for another U-2 pilot in the chase car. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noGaf4mHZduBgpo

[@davidflanagan1653]

@@Tomteeejay That is very interesting to me , thanks for the information

[@Tomteeejay]

@@davidflanagan1653 No problem. Thanks for the reply! :)

[@sawneybean9584]

what was that ontop of the U2?????

[@billreal76]

That was probably a LONG wait between takeoff and landing

[@DafyddPhillips]

It was Bill, about 5 hours. It was made longer by the wait for the U2 that didn’t turn up in daylight. I was in good company throughout the day which helped

[@soi6cornerbar]

if that has a jokey wheel on each wing that seems to drop off affter a certain speed/hiegt how does it land?

[@DafyddPhillips]

It lands with just the centre wheels. The chase car will chase the plane down the runway until it comes to a standstill and attach the jockey wheels into the wings. The wing tips have titanium skids in order to protect the actual wings.

[@soi6cornerbar]

@@DafyddPhillips nice one thanks for that, amazing plane for sure

[@ahndhcn24ijokdnh6c]

Do they operate paired?

[@1900trent]

why the chase car for U2?

[@DafyddPhillips]

Every take off and landing has a chase car to assist. The chase car can only be driven by a U2 pilot.

[@1900trent]

@@DafyddPhillips thnx. Never knew, but wonder what it actually does though for takeoff.

[@bronxfireradio]

Who's the guy driving the Charger?

[@DafyddPhillips]

He is another u2 pilot

[@Pembrey33]

👍👏✔️

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks John 👍

[@eckhal2]

💯👌🇺🇸

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you sir 👍

[@eckhal2]

Dafydd Phillips Brings back my USAF flight line years 66-70 avionics Tech. Was on an emergency air lift TDY Jan 28, 1967 from Dover AFB to Barksdale AFB, LA when TET Offensive started. Saw the 52s, KC137s, and U-2s there up close on the flight line. We were there from MAC on an around the clock airlift of Cobra Gunships and munitions thru March 1968.

[@shanek6582]

What’s that pod on the u2?

[@DafyddPhillips]

Hi Shane I found this link,, hope it helps foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/a-spotters-guide-to-the-u-2-dragon-lady-and-its-many-1539282603/amp

[@shanek6582]

Dafydd Phillips 👍thanks man

[@David-xs9nv]

Didn't want to wait around 9 hours for the U-2 to come back?😄

[@DafyddPhillips]

I waited until it got dark and gave up 🙄😁

[@spenced4537]

✈️👀🇺🇸👊🏻

[@TheJJJJs]

What about a satin black Lambo instead of the white Charger ?

[@DafyddPhillips]

I’m with you with this one 🏁😍

[@junwson]

Why is the car chasing u2 behind the tail?

[@DafyddPhillips]

This is standard procedure with all U2 take offs. The chase car is driven by another U2 pilot is taking with the plane pilot. They do it for landing also

[@weirdsciencethe2nd205]

Whats that thing on its roof

[@lubricantrc3244]

👍

[@Raaaaaazr]

First? Do people get excited for that still?

[@DafyddPhillips]

I do 😁

[@ballesteros8412]

🤣😂👋

[@Jarek_73]

We surely do! 😉

[@terryboyer1342]

@@DafyddPhillips Me too!

[@rafeferrante]

Where was the U2?, I saw a TR-1!

[@knightlife98]

All you see is wings when you see these two Aircrafts...!!!