Cyber Monday Special  Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA6904 Lockheed Skunk Works U-2R Black Cat ROCAF. 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 17.25" Wingspan & 10.5" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is an American single-jet engine, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It provides day and night, high-altitude (70,000 feet, 21,300 meters), all-weather intelligence gathering.

In 1954 Lockheed received approval to produce a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The creation of this aircraft went to LockheedÆs Skunk Works and the famous Kelly Johnson. The aircraft, a single-engine jet that could provide images day or night over Soviet territory, was labeled U-2 (U=utility) and given the name ôDragon Ladyö. The first test flight took place in 1955 and was used by the CIA and the USAF during the Cold War. The U-2 came to international notoriety in 1960 when one piloted by Gary Power was shot down over the Soviet Union Primary Role: High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft.

In 1960 the 35th Squadron ôBlack Catsö was established at Taoyuan AB in northern Taiwan with U-2 flights taking place between 1961 and 1974. The flights were under CIA supervision and flown by ROCAF pilots. The original N803X 56-6683 crashed and the number was reassigned to U-2R 68-10329 that first flew in 1967. This U-2 was the first to fly with Super Pods under the wings and when it joined the ROCAF in was numbered 3925. In 1981 3925 was transferred to the 9th SRW and in 1995 converted to a U-2S.