U2 Spy Plane chase vehicles (El Camino version)

As some of you are aware, I have an El Camino among the vehicles in my garage. There was an interesting thread recently on the El Camino Central web site about chase vehicles associated with the U2 that I thought I would pass along:

Discussion Starter · #1 · Nov 15, 2022

We've all had folks stop us when driving our Caminos to tell their El Cam story from the past, but this one was most interesting; Last week, I had driven my Camino to the local polling place to vote, as it was a very warm, sunny day for November. One of the outdoor poll workers noticed me parking and complimented me on my truck. He said it reminded him of his days long ago in the Air Force. I asked if he had one then, answer was no. He was part of the ground crew for the U2 Spy Plane. They had a Camino at the airbase, which served as a "guide dog" for the U2 landing operations. The U2 had an over 100 ft. wingspan with only a 63 ft. fuselage length. The wing-mounted landing gear dropped off at takeoff and had to be re-inserted in sockets of the wings after landing, just to support the very wide wings while parked or taxiing.

When landing, the ultra- wide wingspan was so unstable that the driver of the El Camino chased the U2 down the tarmac, in constant radio communication with the pilot, to help him keep the wings somewhat level. The lower height of the Camino was more suited to the low profile of the U2, in case it went under a wing.

I've heard a number of people's El Camino stories over the years, but to have one as a companion for this country's most notable Spy Plane will be a hard one to top.
I hope it's worth the time to read for you.

Bill​

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Thread links:

https://www.elcaminocentral.com/threads/most-interesting-el-cam-story-ive-heard.254753/?utm_content=iss242&utm_source=threadloom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ed206#post-2597293

https://www.chevelles.com/threads/restore-or-replicate-a-u-2-chase-el-camino.1146816/

 

Yea, one of the comments in the links even mentioned use of a SuperBird in one other case.

Would be interesting to see the build sheets for some of those cars. The two Elkys pictured had dog dish hub caps, which may or may have not been standard equipment or available as an option. I have never seen that kind of wheel treatment on an Elky before.