Approved for Release: 2013/06/25
---
Secret NOFORN
Chapter 3
132
---
Wreckage of Article 341,
2 April 1957
[figure]
12 April 1957 article in the *Chicago Daily Tribune* was headlined,
“Secrecy Veils High-Altitude Research Jet; Lockheed U-2 Called
*Super Snooper.*”⁷⁶
Because of its large wingspan, an out-of-control U-2 tended to
enter a classical flat spin before ground contact. This slowed descent
and actually lessened the impact. If there was no fire after impact, the
remains of crashed U-2s were often salvageable, as was the case with
the wreckage of article 341. Kelly Johnson’s crew at the Skunk Works
used the wreckage, along with spares and salvaged parts of other
crashed U-2s, to produce another flyable airframe for about
$185,000.⁷⁷ The U-2’s ability to survive a crash in fairly good condi-
tion should have been noted by the Development Projects Staff for
consideration in its contingency plans for a loss over hostile territory
because the equipment on board the aircraft could easily compromise
the weather research cover story.
The loss of one of Lockheed’s best test pilots, as well as the pro-
totype “dirty bird” U-2, led Kelly Johnson to suggest that Lockheed
install a large boom at the Indian Springs radar test facility. Using the
---
⁷⁶ Accident folder, crash of 2 April 1957, OSA records (S).
⁷⁷ Lockheed contracts, OSA Records (S).
---
Secret
---
Approved for Release: 2013/06/25