Replying to a message of Monte Davis to Jeff Shultz:

 MD> From: Monte Davis 

 MD> Jeff Shultz  wrote:

 >> They've done mission ops with a U-2 as well off a carrier....

 MD> Jeez, I would have thought the catapult G's would rip the wings off.

I don't think a U-2 will *fit* on a carrier (the wingspan's too wide).  It
could, I suspect, take off into the wind without the catapult if the
carrier is running nearly flat out into the wind; if memory serves, takeoff
speed is well under 100 knots.  Many years ago a base in Thailand had a
specially modified Chevy El Camino SS that was used to chase after a
landing U-2 so a guy could lean out the side of the bed and place the
outrigger wheel strut on the wingtip mounting (then repeat the procedure on
the other side) so the thing didn't tip over as it slowed down and lost
lift.

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