The TR-1 and the U-2 had the same, and required chase-cars during takeoff. We had TR-1As at RAF Alconbury. They were cool to watch, but it really sucked for us in the barracks because they would take off right over us with their nose as high as it could get so the Brits couldn't get pictures of the nose cone's classified equipment. If they took off before we woke up the whole building would shake and wake everyone. I'm sure the pilots laughed about that perk. In the 90's the TR-1As were finally redesignated as U-2s since they were the exact same air-frame as the U-2.
It was also a lot of fun watching the A-10s doing touch and go procedures, and sometimes just showing off.
The TR-1 and the U-2 had the same, and required chase-cars during takeoff. We had TR-1As at RAF Alconbury. They were cool to watch, but it really sucked for us in the barracks because they would take off right over us with their nose as high as it could get so the Brits couldn't get pictures of the nose cone's classified equipment. If they took off before we woke up the whole building would shake and wake everyone. I'm sure the pilots laughed about that perk. In the 90's the TR-1As were finally redesignated as U-2s since they were the exact same air-frame as the U-2.
It was also a lot of fun watching the A-10s doing touch and go procedures, and sometimes just showing off.