FighterControl

I was watching a video of a U2 landing and wondered what the rear undercarriage wheels are made from as they do not appear to have rubber tyres. Perhaps they are the same as those on the 'pogo stick' wing wheels.
Can anyone provide the answer please?

Some guy told me that they were made of the same material as skate board wheels.

Firefighter wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:16 pm

Some guy told me that they were made of the same material as skate board wheels.

Solid rubber?

The U-2 lands on its rear wheels first and one of the reasons they're solid plastic is because their lack of compression reduces the bounce and roll that you might get landing on a single set of centreline pneumatic wheels. They'll appear to be tougher and larger set of pogo wheels but I doubt they're the same design as the pogo wheels have to pirouette.

They certainly look like they are made of plastic from photo's and videos. There are some very durable plastics around now as per the skateboard ones mentioned. Must be a bit of a shudder when the solid tail wheels hit the ground as there seems to be little suspension there either.
Thanks everyone.

Consulted Aerograph 3, Lockheed U-2, by the renowned US aviation author Jay Miller. He states that both the Pogo and rear tyres are "hard rubber". In numerous videos that I've taken of U-2's landing the same blueish smoke comes off both the main and rear wheels on touch down suggesting they are both made of the same material.

Aye, to clarify, it's the pneumatic piston for the front wheels which amplifies the roll from the bounce on landing.

Very interesting indeed and as usual I can count on FC'ers to answer my question in depth!

I've never needed to kick the tyres (literally) but something made me search tonight that led me to this photo.

page_verify wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 23, 2022 6:18 pm

I've never needed to kick the tyres (literally) but something made me search tonight that led me to this photo.

Sadly my software won't permit opening of the image

Go to http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/u2sf ... ady-84.jpg and it'll work

By an incredible coincidence the starboard wheel blew when todays flight landed. It didn't shred but looked a little deflated as it taxied back to parking, after the Mobile and recovery crew checked it was safe to do so.