56-6680
Article 347

This particular aircraft, Article 347, Serial Number 56-6680, was the seventh U-2 built. It was delivered to Groom Lake on 8 February 1956. Used for training flights until sent on the initial Det A deployment in late April 1956. Marked with tail number NACA 187. Flew the first operational mission over Eastern Europe on 20 June 1956, and the first two missions over the USSR on 4 and 5 July, 1956. Returned to the US in October 1957 when Det A was closed down in November 1957.

This aircraft operated as a U-2A, to a U-2F, to a U-2C, to the National Air & Space Museum.

It originally flew as a U-2A model and was subsequently upgraded as a U-2C when refitted with the J75-P-13B engine, which required a significant enlargement of the airframe engine inlets. At one point it was temporarily fitted with an in-flight refueling probe and designated as a U-2F.

When flown by the CIA, the aircraft remained unpainted except for its three-digit production number and was operated from bases at Lakenheath, England; Wiesbaden and Giebelstadt, West Germany; Akrotiri, Cyprus; and Edwards Air Force Base, California. The aircraft was apparently lent to the Air Force in 1969 and flown over Vietnam. In 1974 the CIA transferred ownership of #347 to the Air Force, which operated it until 1978. The paint scheme now on the aircraft was used by the Air Force during operations from British bases in the Middle East. The airplane remained with the Air Force until August 30, 1982, when the National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian Institution) acquired this Lockheed U-2C from the US Air Force.

Courtesy of: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl

Date: Wed, 11 Oct 1995 19:09:37 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: Weekend Trip

Kathryn and I made a trip to Washington DC last weekend to visit the Smithsonian NASM before we move to the West coast. We had the opportunity to attend the lecture of Brigadier General Charles E. 'Chuck' Yeager, USAF (ret.), titled "The Other Side of the Sound Barrier", while we were there.

The next day I spent in the NASM, while Kathryn visted the Art Museum (across the Mall). The following detail pertains to the Lockheed U-2 which is on display at this location:

U-2C, Article 347, USAF serial '56-6680', marked '66680' 'US AIR FORCE' on the tail. The aircraft is painted in the two-tone blue/grey 'Saber' camouflage scheme used in the UK in the 1970's. She features a big sugar scoop, a Radar Homing And Warning (RHAW) antenna (System 19??) in the starboard trailing edge, a long dorsal spine for System 3, 6, and 9, the 'Birdwatcher' data link antenna behind the tail wheel, and a Q-bay hatch with 7 camera windows, but no slipper tanks or underwing tanks. Some airframe history:

- seventh U-2 airframe built;
- 02/09/1956 delivered to CIA as U-2A;
- operated by the CIA from:
+ RAF Lakenheath, UK, (Det A);
+ Wiesbaden AB, Germany, (Det A);
+ Giebelstadt AG, Germany, (Det A);
+ RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (Det ?, later OL-OH and Det 3);
+ Edwards AFB, California (Det G);
- first aircraft used to overfly the USSR on 07/04/1956;
- modified to U-2C with J75-P-13B engine and enlarged air intakes;
- 1969 lent to USAF;
- modified to U-2F with in-flight refueling receptacle;
- operational over Vietnam;
- remodified to U-2C;
- 1974 ownership transferred to USAF;
- used by 100th SRW for project 'Pave Onyx';
- 1978 retired from active service;
- 08/30/1982 given to NASM;