20% OFF

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

Code: 33856AVI
  • Now 28,30 â‚¬
In Stock In Stock
Loading...
Specifications
AUTHORK Neubeck
LANGUAGEEnglish
BINDINGHardback
NO OF PAGES256
ILLUSTRATIONSPhotos & illustrations
ISBN9781036133856
PRODUCT CODE33856AVI
PUBLISHERPen & Sword Books

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. There is a demanding and robust selection process for potential U-2 pilots, all of which is detailed in Ken Neubeck’s absorbing commentary. Notably, after the Cold War, the U-2 aircraft proved to be valuable in the Gulf War in 1991, where it provided a significant amount of overhead surveillance of potential Iraqi targets, prior to the start of the war. This book not only examines the unique history of the aircraft but also looks at the extensive pilot training and requirements to fly it, which is unparallel with any other military aircraft training. With a wingspan of over 100 feet, the landing and take-off sequence for the U-2 requires extreme pilot skill, along with the use of removable landing gear pogo devices at the end of each side of the wing. Previous books on the U-2 have touched upon this unique aspect of the type, but usually in narrative fashion as opposed to a pictorial sequence which this book will do in detail.  The story of the U-2 continues, and Ken Neubeck looks at the future prospects of this, the most famous spy plane to ever have taken to the skies in the Cold War.

Postage and Packing Charges

We endeavour to keep our carriage charges as low as possible.

We dispatch using Royal Mail or a courier company, depending on the weight and value of your order. We are unable to deliver to PO Boxes in the UK and abroad. Please ensure we have an up to date contact number and email address so that Royal Mail or a courier company can send updates on your delivery.

Please note that our standard delivery charges are for titles which are currently available.

Orders despatched once stock is available. If other items are added to a pre-order, we will despatch one order once all items are available.

 

UK STANDARD DELIVERY

Once items are placed in your basket, the website will calculate the delivery charge for your order. A standard delivery charge is applied to the majority of UK post codes, but remote areas and islands may incur a higher charge. We aim to deliver your order within 5-7 days, delivery times stated are an indication only, we often find deliveries are much quicker than estimated.

We use Tracked services for ALL of our UK orders.

 

UK PRIORITY PLUS

Where available Priority Plus is offered to UK orders at checkout.

Priority orders are prioritised throughout the dispatch process, picked first and sent via RM24 Tracked.  Royal Mail do not guarantee delivery times, but orders placed this way tend to arrive substantially quicker than standard.

 

INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY

Once items are placed in your basket, the website will calculate the delivery charge for your order, dependent on country, and any surcharges we would be charged within the UK at the point of despatch. This does not include any charges made in the country of delivery at the time of delivery.  We aim to deliver your order within the delivery times stated, Europe 7-10 days, Worldwide, 15-20 days, these are provided as an indication only, we often find deliveries are much quicker than estimated.

Delivery times quoted are provide by our delivery partners and are as an indication only. These times can vary from country to country and dependent on prevailing conditions that a shipment may encounter on its journey to you.