OT: Lockheed U-2

[Stefano Zibell]

Well folks, apparently CIA has declassified the 259 pages flight manual of the U-2: http://www.avweb.com/pdf/lockheedu2utilityflighhandbook1959.pdf

Perhaps this will finally open some doors to an FSX rendition?

[SeanTK]

Although it's not detailed systems-wise, there is one for FSX available:
http://www.area51sim.com/dragonlady.html

[krazycolin]

That manual has been available for some time and I even have it... This does NOT mean we are doing a U2.

[ColoKent]

...there is still a need for one out there. The Area51 version is the best that currently exists, but has serious issues:

- The flight model completely sucks
- The sensor package configurations are not changeable (Senior Span/Non-Senior Span, ASARRS nose, etc.)
- The pogos are not toggleable, but disappear and appear magically
- There is no paint kit, and e-mails to Area51 get no response
- The externals and VC are not nywhere near current FSX payware standards

Kent

[Sundog]

It should also be noted that the flight manual is for the original U-2, not the U-2R/TR-1 which, though based off of the original U-2, is a totally new larger design, which is what was modeled by Area51. So the flight manual doesn't actually pertain to the plane modeled by Area51. The only early U-2 for fs I'm aware of is the Ito FS9 model.

[fsafranek]

The only early U-2 for fs I'm aware of is the Ito FS9 model.
Alphasim had a U-2S for FS2004. It included two models; with and without the dorsal pod.
It's been on their freeware site (http://www.virtavia.com/Freeware/) for a year or two.

Danny Garnier updated it (http://www.simviation.com/simviation/?ID=64&page=41&mark=9112) with gauges for FSX.

Mark Rooks updated (http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=u-2dragonlady.zip&categoryId=) Kazunori Ito's U-2 Dragonlady for FSX.

Hope this helps.
:ernae:

[ColoKent]

...and the AS U-2 flight model seems to be halfway decent too...It's a bit dated, but not bad at all.

Kent

[Sundog]

Thanks for the info, I'll have to check them both out.

[fsafranek]

...and the AS U-2 flight model seems to be halfway decent too...It's a bit dated, but not bad at all.

Kent
Original release was October 2004.
Many people who visit this forum weren't even into FS back then.
:ernae: