[cpdiii]

IIRC, Ben Rich noted that a U-2 was just an F-104 Starfighter with much, much longer wings. And no afterburner; I’m guessing they disabled it because it would rip the wings off.

Totally incorrect. The U2 was basically a glider with a jet engine. It could fly at extreme altitudes up in "coffin corner." Its radar image was that of a barn door. Its only defense was altitude. The Russians were never able to shoot it down until they had SAMS that could reach that altitude.

[SaveFerris]

Uh, it was THEIR words, not mine. I think it was BR (had his book) but don’t know if it was KJ.