James May Rides in a U2 Spy Plane

[sushi]

Saw this video and decided to share.

Breathtaking.

Reminds me of the "High Flight" poem.

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air,
Up, up the long delirious burning blue.
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew;
And while with silent uplifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God!

Considering that the U2's maiden flight was in 1955 and that it was designed using slide rules, it's all the more remarkable.

 

[robbieduncan]

The whole program was good and certainly worth a watch if you can find a copy...

 

[sushi]

The whole program was good and certainly worth a watch if you can find a copy...

Thanks.

Found it on YouTube in three parts. Watching it now.

 

[KeriJane]

Wow.

Thank you for sharing.


Have Fun,
Keri

 

[Heilage]

James May is an excellent presenter, he gives a wonderful nerdy look at quite a few things.

Great documentary, I'd recommend anyone remotely interested in science, history, space or avionics to watch this one.

 

[iGav]

The whole program was good and certainly worth a watch if you can find a copy...

It was, but he could've saved himself all that "cocking about" with the space suit and stuff, and simply gone up in a Lightning like Professor Brian Cox did… you know, that thing that intercepted the U-2 @ 88,000 ft.

 

[Watabou]

That really was incredible and really entertaining.

I always liked Captain Slow despite his nerdiness. And I believe he learned how to cock about while doing something serious from Jeremy Clarkson mostly. (which I approve )

 

[The.316]

Exceptional video.