A video has been posted on Twitter – or “X,” as it is called these days – showing an Alfa Romeo Stelvio nipping at the heels of a Lockheed U-2. The U-2 – also known as the Dragon Lady – is an extraordinary aircraft. It looks like a glider, but it is a reconnaissance aircraft that can conduct prolonged operations at 21 km altitude. <\/p>\n
The wing span of a U-2 is greater than the length of the aircraft. Partly because of this, the U-2 is known as one of the most challenging aircraft to fly. Therefore, when taking off and landing on the runway, a U-2 pilot receives help from so-called chase pilots. These pilots communicate with the U-2 pilot by radio during the last 100 meters of his flight, while driving behind the aircraft on the runway. Or racing, actually. <\/p>\n
At the home base of the U-2, the chase pilots drive a Chevy Camero, but the landing attempt of the U-2 seen in the video takes place at a different airfield. The chase pilots therefore had to look for the fastest rental car they could find there: in this case, an Alfa Romeo Stelvio. In the tweet below, you can see how:<\/p>\n SPECTACULAR view of the “Dragon Lady”! Awesome video @schmiiindy<\/a> @stephstricklen<\/a> @flysnf<\/a> @bealeafb<\/a> \n
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.#Repost<\/a> @schmiiindy<\/a>
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POV from the chase car of the U-2 Dragon Lady pass at Oshkosh from @bealeafb<\/a>. \ud83d\udeec\ud83d\ude32
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Ohhhh my GOSH!!!! \ud83d\ude33 One of the most incredible things I… pic.twitter.com\/VuiRMHC4eI<\/a><\/p>\n