Spy plane launches with a grin 😈! U2 up close take off

Watch the up-close operations of a U2 spy plane taking off from RAF Fairford, with a large grin drawn on the nose.
The US Air Force Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady is a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft that has been operating since the 1950s. Learn more in our video: • Unusual U2 spy plane t...
Recorded: 2023
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Outroduction Music: Watch it Glow - Silent Partner • Watch it Glow - Silent...
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Ⓒ CobraEmergency

[@CobraEmergency]

Want to know more about this unusual design and why they detach the wheels? Learn more in our video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWi8Z2CspbGVjLM

[@jeffreygoldberg1675]

Weight is the primary reason. There are others but that is the primary. This airplane is a big bad oversized glider.

[@CobraEmergency]

@@jeffreygoldberg1675 It really is an oversized glider. Such a unique design.

[@zyphod]

Most mornings I hear the growl first and then on a good day with blue sky I get to see this wonderful jet roaring over my house at about 10,000ft, (the rate of climb is amazing). And then in the afternoon around 4/4.30pm if I'm outside, I get to see her returning on approach to Fairford at about 3000ft, at a much quieter tone, but still a lovely sight!

[@Habu2]

Sight not site

[@zyphod]

@@Habu2 Apologies!

[@CobraEmergency]

There is something particularly enjoyable about the daily U2 flight from Fairford!

[@chartphred1]

So glad you kept the video running so we could also hear that roar fading into the background. Hear that so little nowadays due to quieter engines on jets. Takes me back to the days when as a kid I'd watch roaring F28s climb out of Carnarvon. They were noisy.

[@mikeparker6322]

The people who fly the U2, TR 1 or even the SR71 are more like Astronauts. I saw an SR71 takeoff from a base in Texas once and it was an incredible sight. The white chase vehicles are Dodge Chargers like many American Police cars because they have to go very fast to monitor the aircraft as it lands.

[@zakelwe]

More likely they like doing doughnuts on the runway. :) I know I would...

[@lulumiller1104]

🇬🇧🦋Amazing plane ..awesome technology keeping us safe ,yes love cheeky look. Thank you all for your service ,privileged to see this 🦋🇬🇧

[@thejoe9065]

I agree, it gives me a warm l, fuzzy and safe feeling. I could never do what they do and bascially sign my life away to defend everyone. I wouldnt expect it from anyone, but those that do, for whatever their reasons maybe, its appreciated.

[@4_EverLucky]

Be Safe Dragon Lady 👍🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@kortomNL]

Amazing planes!

[@Doubleoseven502]

They used to have a Subaru Impreza chase car. That really shifted!

[@screddot7074]

Best motor glider ever.

[@Radio478]

Fantastic thanks

[@Kaii_679]

Amazing piece of engineering and the men & women who pilot these planes in my view are the guardian angels that keep our skies clear from hostile activities and the islands we call home safe. 👏🙂👏

[@davideddy5877]

What an amazing aircraft.

[@vinerscott]

What an amazing video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. How do you get so close? Why aren’t you prevented from videoing? The detail you got is amazing,I loved the focus on the pilot,he’s like a proper astronaut in that helmet! I wonder where he flies too? Do you have any brilliant close ups of it returning? Sorry for the questions but I watched this about 3-4 times as it’s so fascinating & incredible to watch 👏🏻👏🏻

[@williamfagan1479]

Awesome plane

[@johnaldred6864]

Just amazing...👍

[@jeffreygoldberg1675]

This one is equipped with the latest and greatest avionics and sensors.

[@Flange-lw9sp]

Brilliant video, and fantastic that you keep the ground staff faces out of the film. Great to see you do so well, keep these coming!

[@BegoDan]

Wow so crazy how quick it goes and disappears just as quick

[@russefrance4869]

Well, we know where she's going....🙂

[@theworldsbonkers]

Some tool that. Great videos thanks for taking the time to film and up load. Good to know we have some amazing technology and expertise keeping us safe 👍

[@joesanchez979]

It's beautiful 😊

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

What a weird-looking aircraft.

[@CobraEmergency]

It is!

[@briankelly5816]

Bit of a wind blowing 😂

[@mikey3627]

❤ love that U2 it's cool . 80thousand or 88 thousand feet up it goes not sure which one it is but I know you need a space suit for it . I watched James May having a go in it . He started to panic a little .But once he calmed down and the pilot was very chill with him James got some awesome shots with the camera . Just wish it was me to be honest .

[@vinerscott]

Where can I watch this please?

[@mikey3627]

@@vinerscott it's on KZbin m8 .

[@vinerscott]

@@mikey3627 thank you,found it 👏🏻👍🏻

[@marcconstantine6103]

Top men guys ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@automaticasthmatic]

B1s up there again?!?!?!

[@dianepatching742]

What a beautiful sight and sound. Where is the aircraft flown from? 👍

[@Habu2]

Main base is Beale in California.

[@Flange-lw9sp]

This is RAF Fairford in the UK.

[@RLVIDEOS2024]

*Spectacular 🔥*

[@thejoe9065]

Hi, what are the cars doing there, why two and how are they following that closely? Always assumed there is a lot of turbulence and or heat coming out of there even at rolling speed? Are those cars making sure runway is clean and everything on the airplane? Thank you. edit: What a sound, haha, sick, it doesnt stop! :D

[@tonym480]

The chase cars carry the ground support crew, and I think, an experienced U2 pilot who talks the pilot flying the plane through the take off and landing, the U2 apparently being something of a difficult machine to maneuver on the ground. The support crew also need to remove the safety pins from the out rigger wheels under the wings so that they can fall clear during take off. They have to reattach the out riggers after landing so that the plane can taxi off the runway.

[@v666edd]

Hear her most mornings over the Vale of Evesham

[@Backwardlooking]

Hope that it is gathering vital information.

[@michaelellwanger8180]

Vital for whom?

[@Backwardlooking]

@@michaelellwanger8180 The West and it’s allies!.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@joesanchez979]

I build model kits I got this one display 😊

[@jimmy_wang_]

😈😄

[@TheBullBelgium]

They should get rid of that 'stock' charger and use a tesla or at least a challenger hellcat hahaha

[@michaelfraser5723]

RAF ? judging by entourage USAF, in Britain

[@tonym480]

Yes, the airfield is RAF Fairford, which is much used by USAF aircraft, the same as RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall. Although they are used by American forces, they remain RAF airfields.

[@williamfagan1479]

It looks weird, by the size of it i think it would be a easy target for the enemy to hit.

[@LeeShand]

I don't know what it is about you guys. But you make every other channel that tries to do this stuff look stupid!!!

[@johnmackintosh8113]

With satellites is it not a bit dated

[@paulstannard3994]

Why blur their faces out ?

[@1_onlyNS]

And please take your friends wth you

[@thequietroom3991]

Sammy the snake about to take off.

[@JusHaveFun]

Gone in 60 seconds.