The U2 Dragon Lady in flight. USAF photo.

WATCH: The U-2 ‘Dragon Lady’ Spy Plane in Flight

Share this article

Pilots call it the Dragon Lady because the U-2 is tough to handle when taking off and landing – and isn’t easy to fly at altitude, where thin air at 70,000 feet is a tricky environment.

The U-2 airframe that played a significant role during the Cold War appeared in the news recently after a Dragon Lady pilot took a cockpit selfie showing the Chinese spy balloon during its cross-country foray through American airspace. 

The Dragon Lady puts on quite a display on takeoff, with a seemingly slow glide suddenly turning into a sharp vertical climb. On landing, a ground crew chases the plane to make sure nothing goes awry as the long wings that want to send the aircraft aloft again.

https://twitter.com/AviationLoft/status/1417059231170183170

READ MORE about the U-2 cockpit selfie.

Unless you live near a U-2 base, your chances are slim of spotting a Dragon Lady in action. Here’s a look at this distinctive plane as it makes an appearance at a U.S. air show.

U-2 Dragon Lady at work

Subscribe to the Soldier of Fortune Newsletter

Enter your email below to receive exclusive content from Soldier of Fortune right in your inbox.

About Susan Katz Keating

Check Also

‘Dambuster’ Watch Transports You Back to Daring WWII Mission Over Germany

Share this article Gear Review by Susan Katz Keating I’ve never known a watch that …