The U2 Appearance - Day 2

Redemption.

This will make a lot more sense if you read Day One.

Day 2 of the U2 story begins with seeing the Dragon Lady will make an appearance, again at 12:05 according to the schedule.  I say this because I'm thinking it will be closer to 2:05 - again.  That's OK, I'll be ready in either case.  Will the two black escort jets be there as well?  Whatever the case, I will be ready.  I will be in the stands for this.

12:05 came and went.  No problem.  I would have been more surprised if it was as scheduled.  Surprised, but ready.

1:30.  It was a very windy day.  Lots of the races were being moved about, and the published schedule was really out the window now.  Races may be moved, the non-military performers may be moved, but the military stuff goes as scheduled.  It's going to be at 2:05 - I just know it.

2:03 - U2 inbound.  And I'm ready.  Trying not to hyperventilate.  No black jets.  Dammit.

With the U2 inbound, I was also looking for the white chase car.  And it was there, where it was supposed to be.  In my head, get the chase car in the shot.  Low fly-by.

A lot of the forest fire smoke has cleared out from the day before.  Still, on the approach end for the background, the smoke is visible.  I like this shots, has the jet class lined up ready to start when the U2 had departed the area.

U2 Approach End

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

217 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

I thought the approach end was lower than the day before, but I was now in the stands and my perspective might be a bit different.  Until.

Low enough to flare.  And.

The flare, U2 style.

U2 Flare

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

262 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

OK, no chase car in this shot.  But think about it - approach speed is probably between 90 and 100 MPH.  The chase car has to be off the runway until the aircraft has passed.  So in this shot, the chase car is just getting moving.  It will have to get up to 140 MPH to catch up.  Quickly.  

But then, the aircraft touches down.  Didn't see that coming.

U2 Show Center

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

217 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

And so it rolls.  At this point I just started watching without the camera blocking my view.  Just for a few seconds.  No way this could be a full landing, the airfield is not equipped to handle the U2.  And that was the correct thought.  Once past the the center pylon, you could hear the engine spool up and the U2 would leave leave the chase car behind.

Just a real thrill for me to see the aircraft flying and doing some transition work for the crowd.  It is part of a select group of 50 year old designs still flying, joining the B-52s, KC-135s and C-130s.