NavList:

Hi Gary

I asked him if the U-2 had a star tracker and he said "no, no space for one."

This is incorrect.

I have made a particular study of the U2 affectionately known as the "Ghost Lady" ... but U2 pilots postings to this aircraft were highly secreted and not often long. The U2 was developed in the famous Skunk Works in California as was its big brother the SR71A - which is another interesting story - and I have seen a SR71A. I have read 2 books on the Skunk Works and the lead engineer there Kelly Johnson and the making of both planes.

Also I have read the memoirs of a U2 pilot. He talks about navigation in the U2 - and yes in the early U2s astro, doppler and DR were the main navigation aids - but at the height they flew there is no wind so you fly a true track outbound for a time do a 180 turn and come home - you shouldn't be off track.

You memorise astro constellations - to ascertain your heading - maybe shoot a astro shot and that was it - which is why they had to take off EXACTLY on time as navigation check points were pre computed. But Maultsby got blinded by the Northern Lights and couldn't check his position - then instead of doing a 180 reverse turn he did about a 210 plus turn and headed into Russian air space just when President Kennedy was dealing with the Cuban crisis...... see bottom remark by the President - he was told about it.

But the U2 was operational for a very long time and the later models were much bigger and could accommodate the ANS inertial astro tracker.

Regards
Howard G

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