Camaro is Once Again Launch Chase Car for the U-2 Spy Plane - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1o.f00t.570rk · 11-13-2012, 12:14 PM

I know a lot of folks saw the article in Popular Mechanics a while back talking about how the Camaro is still being used as a chase car.

I wanted to share the video of a Camaro doing just that.

Enjoy!

More detail on how the Camaro (and G8) are used to assist the U-2 can be found here:

For many years, our 3rd and 4th gen Camaros were used -- here's an older video with a GTO and a 4th gen Camaro

Bobsled · 11-13-2012, 12:25 PM

Interesting.

Why do they even need to do that? I assume they use a ZL1?

tramtwo · 11-13-2012, 12:28 PM

Pretty sure these were mustangs back in the 80's when I was at Eglin.

2010SS2SS · 11-13-2012, 12:29 PM

To record the landing and or verify landing gear is down?

trewyn15 · 11-13-2012, 01:41 PM

Hmm, that's pretty cool, that car got up and going there pretty quick lol

Apex Motorsports · 11-13-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrando

Great video.

To talk the pilots down as they have no view of the ground.

It's a tough job but someone has to do it

The spotter and operator have to come to an agreement about what an inch is.

The father of a friend of mine was a U2 pilot and according to him the plane is incredible hard to land and they need a spotter to help. Apparently the plane produces a ton of lift but the range between stalling it and falling out of the sky and the top speed the airframe can withstand are very close to each other.

a.morblu · 11-13-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1o.f00t.570rk

I know a lot of folks saw the article in Popular Mechanics a while back talking about how the Camaro is still being used as a chase car.

Well I haven't seen anyone post it yet, and a search for "chase car" didn't come up with anything recent, so I wanted to share the video of a Camaro doing just that, which I saw on Jalopnik.

Enjoy!

This was posted awhile back. Sure would be fun!!
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255834

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrando

The spotter and operator have to come to an agreement about what an inch is.

Hardest job ever. I can't even get my gf to agree with me about what an inch is...

Denis · 11-13-2012, 03:58 PM

I wonder of they'll let me do that with the Hornets base.......hmmmmmm

Altma · 11-13-2012, 04:08 PM

Same Chase - Different Angle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=AnzbfpSwQRQ

oklapike · 11-13-2012, 08:08 PM

FWIW, they still use a GTO, four G8 GTs, along with five Camaros...at least those are what I've seen. There might be a few more. I work the other major airframe at Beale (Global Hawk).

ec1990 · 11-13-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

The father of a friend of mine was a U2 pilot and according to him the plane is incredible hard to land and they need a spotter to help. Apparently the plane produces a ton of lift but the range between stalling it and falling out of the sky and the top speed the airframe can withstand are very close to each other.

It's more so at altitude (70,000 feet) I believe due to the lift required at that low air pressure the maximum airspeed, cruising airspeed, and stall speed are all within 10 knots or so of each other, commonly called a "Coffin Corner" on the airspeed diagram. Definitely crazy !

If you want to see more watch James May's edge of space video.

Denis · 11-14-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ec1990

It's more so at altitude (70,000 feet) I believe due to the lift required at that low air pressure the maximum airspeed, cruising airspeed, and stall speed are all within 10 knots or so of each other, commonly called a "Coffin Corner" on the airspeed diagram. Definitely crazy !

If you want to see more watch James May's edge of space video.

That was a actually a really cool video.

Gman5001 · 11-14-2012, 11:48 AM

I was watching the wheels most of the time it is cool how it looks like they change direction

rush2112 · 11-14-2012, 05:56 PM

I believe the Stall Speed/overspeed issue being so close was on the SR-71. The straight wing on the U2 had good lift. One of the things that made it hard to land, ground effect just wanted to keep it in the air.

11-13-2012, 12:14 PM	#1
1o.f00t.570rk Tall Guy Drives: '11 LS SGM, '96 BK, '88 S10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 526 View My Garage	Camaro is Once Again Launch Chase Car for the U-2 Spy Plane I know a lot of folks saw the article in Popular Mechanics a while back talking about how the Camaro is still being used as a chase car. I wanted to share the video of a Camaro doing just that. Enjoy! More detail on how the Camaro (and G8) are used to assist the U-2 can be found here: For many years, our 3rd and 4th gen Camaros were used -- here's an older video with a GTO and a 4th gen Camaro __________________ Installed: Vararam Intake - ARK N-II Catback - F14 18x8.5 Rims - Window Tint - Camaro5.com Stickers - Team LLT Badge On Hand: Fesler Rear Diffuser - Stunner Dovetail Spoiler - T-Rex Upperclass Black Mesh Grille - PFADT Strut Tower Brace (Unpainted) - SEIBON TSII CF Hood - SEIBON CF OEM Trunk Lid On Order: Ported IM Future Plans: Airlift Suspension - CF Driveshaft - 9in IRS - SC FI - Brembo Brakes - more Pfadt Team LLT

11-13-2012, 12:25 PM	#2
Bobsled Drives: 2012 Victory Red 1LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 167	Interesting. Why do they even need to do that? I assume they use a ZL1? __________________

11-13-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
trewyn15 Drives: 2004 Monte Carlo LS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 2,414	Hmm, that's pretty cool, that car got up and going there pretty quick lol __________________ 2004 Monte Carlo LS - 1966 AMC Rambler Rebel Classic - 2000 Trans Am WS6

11-13-2012, 03:58 PM	#8
Denis Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Yorktown Heights, NY Posts: 7,695 View My Garage	I wonder of they'll let me do that with the Hornets base.......hmmmmmm __________________

11-13-2012, 04:08 PM	#9
Altma Drives: 2010 Chevy Camaro 1LT Synergy Green Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: St. Charles Illinois Posts: 186	Same Chase - Different Angle http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=AnzbfpSwQRQ __________________ My Build Thread

11-13-2012, 12:28 PM	#3
tramtwo Drives: 2021 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: N'Awlinz Posts: 6,315	Pretty sure these were mustangs back in the 80's when I was at Eglin.

11-13-2012, 12:29 PM	#4
2010SS2SS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 2SS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cypress, texas Posts: 1,296	To record the landing and or verify landing gear is down?

11-13-2012, 08:08 PM	#10
oklapike Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary SS Coupe Join Date: May 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 522	FWIW, they still use a GTO, four G8 GTs, along with five Camaros...at least those are what I've seen. There might be a few more. I work the other major airframe at Beale (Global Hawk). Last edited by oklapike; 11-13-2012 at 09:14 PM.

11-14-2012, 11:48 AM	#13
Gman5001 Drives: 1lt crystal red metallic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 423 View My Garage	I was watching the wheels most of the time it is cool how it looks like they change direction __________________ Mods: Ark N-ll. hash marks (driver side only) 20%tint rear 35% tint sides. rear black out. more to come.

11-14-2012, 05:56 PM	#14
rush2112 Drives: 2013 2LT Auto CRM. 2009 night train Join Date: May 2009 Location: DE Posts: 240 View My Garage	I believe the Stall Speed/overspeed issue being so close was on the SR-71. The straight wing on the U2 had good lift. One of the things that made it hard to land, ground effect just wanted to keep it in the air.