On the radio, Kelly Johnson instructed Tony LeVier on how to land the U-2 front wheel first during the maiden flight at the Ranch
In Lockheed’s “Skunk Works” in Burbank, California, a group led by Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson developed and produced the U-2 to carry out surveillance missions in perfect secrecy. The first flight of this single-engine aircraft, which had sailplane-like wings suitable for the thin atmosphere over 55,000 feet (over 70,000 feet for subsequent models), took place in August 1955. After going into service in 1956, its use was kept a secret until Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 was shot down over Soviet territory on May 1, 1960, by a surface-to-air missile.
The U-2 continues to serve US and allies’ forces by providing high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance, day or night. Throughout all facets of warfare, from low-intensity hostilities to large-scale conflicts, it provides decision-makers with crucial imagery and signal information.
In his unpublished book, “The Very First,” Colonel Richard “Butch” Sheffield, the SR-71 Blackbird Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO), recalls how the U-2 received its moniker.
‘The first six SR-71 crew members (Gray Sowers, Cos Mallozzi, John Storrie, Richard Sheffield, Al Hichew, and Tom Schmittou) were invited to Bob Gilliland’s house, looking over Los Angeles.
‘Tony LeVier [the test pilot who flew the first flight of the U-2] was sitting at Bob’s bar when we arrived. The story of how the U-2 was named came up. During the first flight at the Ranch, Kelly [Johnson] was on the radio telling Tony how to land the U-2, front wheel first. Every time Tony tried landing front wheel first the aircraft would bounce up into the air. Kelly insisted, finally Tony gave Kelly the finger as he bounced by, Kelly returned giving Tony the finger, and yelled, “U-2”.
‘The staff quickly wrote down the name.’
“Butch” Sheffield continues;
‘We had been briefed not to tell anyone why we were in Southern California or that we were Air Force Officers visiting the Skunk Works (SW). We were told to stay at a hotel on Hollywood Way a few miles from the SW. After a few days, one of the people working at the hotel said, “Why are all you Air Force Officers visiting the SW?” ‘We guessed that because of our Air Force issued “hack” watches and our short haircuts that anyone could guess who we were.
‘The first six crewmembers did not have any time in the simulator before their first flight; it wasn’t ready yet.’
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Photo by U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and Linda Sheffield Miller