That was so nice of Jamie. It's an experience that nothing else really compares to, and he just gives it to Adam because he knows Adam loves this stuff. Respect. Also hearing Adam's pure joy of being up there is also amazing.
Adam has said he's not allowed to say how high he was, but for reference, he could see a commercial airplane and he was higher to that plane than it was from the ground.Mind blowing.
@@XORMeUk yes, in his channel (Tested) he's talked about it a couple of times, he's under an NDA and can't disclose the actual height they were (that's what you see they don't print the height after 70k ft)
Adam is such a kind soul, like an eternal kid's mind. My eyes got watery when he expressed his feelings about mankind's achievements just by getting things from the soil and transforming them into such a feat of engineering.
Cars are in the same catagory of deadly inventions that are fundimental to our lives and they do kill people everyday. But doesn't mean we should stop driving them! Same for the bicycle. It's funny how fanatical amd hypocritically ignorant and narrow people can be. Regulation is needed, just no tinfoil hat wearing Kaens and Kens!! Learn before you judge, get educated and you might start enjoying progress.
He's a bit dry and somewhat of a dull utilitarian dude with none of that extreme childlike enthusiasm that Adam has, but every type of person is needed in the world. What Jamie does have is integrity and honor and simplified solutions for extremely complex problems. Sometimes simple is better. Adam is a dreamer who would tend to go waaaay overboard with complex designs just to satiate that inner child, but someone needs to dream big have the bravery to try new things for scientific progress. Without dreamers like him we wouldn't have cars or airplanes because the Jamies would've said "rocks/caves/horsebuggy/swords etc work just fine, don't break something that isn't broke" Big respect for Jamie tho, that's a once-in-a-lifetime thing he just passed up because he knows his colleague well.
It's just very nice they spun it that way. Jamie felt uncomfortable when that suit was pressurized and even experienced pain (rewatch if you don't remember that scene), while Adam was smiling ear to ear and exploring how it affected his ability to move his arms and hands. Jamie failed, Adam passed. The rest was just saving face.
@@lukearts2954 No need to rewatch it, I recall what you're talking about.. I do agree, Jamie was very panicked by the suit pressure test. I believe he passed the tests, albeit technically failing to keep his cool.. but Adam was obviously the better choice from the start.. So yes in summary, I agree.
@@ashhawk2346 while they didn't show it, I'm pretty sure he failed that part but they let him continue just to see if it would get dramatically better. I'm this sure because I've seen similar reactions to full face diving masks in training situations, where the candidate was asked to leave the course because if the unexpected element already triggered panic in a training situation, any unexpected hick-up in the real world will definitely do so too. People who do well in such special suits, have the time of their lives in them. "If you don't feel the rush of joy, it's not for you" is what the instructor told the guy that had to leave. And I agree. I don't know what it is exactly, but using breathing apparatus just gives me a boost.
I cried too... I felt something similar when talking to NAVY veterans while visiting the Intrepid Air & Space Museum (NY), in 2019. We all cried at that time. Living history has those effects.
The earths curvature is awe inspiring and spellbinding, not to mention how fragile the onion thin atmosphere layer that enables and supports all life on our 'pale blue dot' . . . the image of earth taken from Neptune by the Voyager 1 deep space probe that Carl Sagan talked NASA into taking back on Feb. 14, 1990.
I remember this from the original airing, and it still gets me in the feels. I think the myth that Adam and Jamie didn't like each other was busted in this episode, if Jamie didn't like Adam he would have taken the flight knowing how much Adam would have wanted it. What Jamie did was an act of pure affection and respect for Adam. They both had an equal shot at going up in the U2, yet Jamie gave it to Adam in full knowledge that he will most likely never get an opportunity to do anything remotely like this ever again.
you don't work together for years if you don't at least respect eachother and learn to cooperate and use eachothers strenghts and deal with eachothers weakspots! they are quiet different ppl, different mindsets, but they share the same passion and goal, that matters!^^
Adam did not know how right he was when he said: With a large one you could do some genuine damage like maybe even KIA somebody. In today's warfare, drones are becoming one of the main weapon systems.
but he wasnt talking about using them to drop bombs or use them as kamikaze drones soo i mean he wasnt exactly right lol they where teting to see if the drone on its own can kia
Back then, anyone who was even remotely concerned about technology and war could tell that drones would be the next revolution on the battlefield. This was already the case with predators in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everything we can see today was predictable 25 years ago, as same as with warplanes and battle tanks from the end of World War I to the end of World War II, only idiots and blind people do not could not predict the obvious evolution linked to these type of technologies.
As an ex-gliding instructor, I love the fact that such a multi-million dollar machine has a Yaw-String stuck to each canopy. We also have to note that, while Adam’s flight was to 70,000 feet, the Perlan 2 has flown to more than 76,000 feet - with two crew in pressure suits, in its pressurised cockpit - but with NO ENGINE. Yes, Perlan 2 is a GLIDER…!
so for an unpowered glider to get to an altitude that is higher than the official max attitude of the u2 means that the u2 can almost certainly go higher than the official max altitude of 73,000 feet
I saw the yaw strings too. They gave me a chuckle. I did 10000 ft in a 1-26c one sunny day. I shivered all the way back to the airfield. It was friggin cold even at 10 thou.
@@bescotdude9121 this does not depend on power as much as it depends on aerodynamic configuration. perlan is a very modern plane, using materials that did not exist when the u2 was designed. this enables wing shapes that arent possible to build out of metal or wood.
37:25 This is just a wonderful moment to share with us... The Music, the Beauty of our Planet.. viewed through the technical Masterpiece humanity has built... And yet we still destory ourselfs
An amazing episode, I miss that show. Still has to be the best show ever televised. You could probably count on one hand the amount of people that have gone up in the U2 that were not military personnel. Only two I can think of are Adam Savage and James May.
The only other TV show in this Informative Entertainment style, with higher ratings and public awareness, is Top Gear, with the big three hosts. And James May, aka Captain Slow, got the U-2 ride for a series of specials he did for the BBC.
It's rare but the USAF does allow occasional civilian ride-alongs for PR purposes...it's good from time to time to let the taxpayers see what their money is getting them.
Oh man...what an amazing/once-in-a-lifetime thing to experience!...And as others have already commented - listening to Adam's joy made it all the more special!..Thanks for sharing Mythbusters!
The first issue is acquiring a U-2, they aren't really sold by the dozen, so you would need to make your own. And since planes are rather large and you probably don't have a runway at home, you'd need to get an airport, or a piece of highway. And at that point you're not at home anymore, so go ahead!
It's amazing to think almost 50 years ago Concorde was flying at 60,000 feet at Mac2.02 while the passengers ate dinner and drank Champagne 🍾 without any space or pressure suit's and still nothing else has even come close to it 😊.
32:57 -- Hats of to you Jamie Heineman... What you did was totally fantastic... I like the "handshake" after... I would have given the walrus a big hug for that. They may not be the best of friends however they are honourable people and those people one would want then the going gets tough.
I had the same impression flying an old Astir CS glider. Like most gliders, one central wheel to balance on and a skate at the back, high aspect ratio wings, a lot of ground effect, the yaw indicator string taped onto the canopy of course, and most importantly, can't see the darn runway because she lands with plenty of AOA and that big old compass is sitting on the dash blocking the view. The U2 was hard to fly in its original version. It has huge control surfaces meant for the thin air at high altitude. That means that at lower altitudes, with more dynamic pressure on the control surfaces and no power assist, it required a bodybuilder to move the controls. Modernized controls solved this issue. The U2 flies so high it is close to the coffins corner, that is when the stall speed (Vs) is near the not exceed speed (Vne), often within 10 knots of each other, requiring constant corrections on the throttle under penalty of death. The modernised U2 has autothrottle, taking a lot of the workload off the pilot. She is still a b***h to land having to stall about max 2ft off the ground. The landing gear of a U2 cannot take more punishment than that (contrary to a glider). Every possible gram has been shaved off.
Glad to read someone talking about the coffin corner. The pilot is balancing the aircraft all the time, no let up, right on the edge of an aerodynamic stall at 70,000 feet. The plane is within 10 knots of "never exceed" speed. But if it goes any slower, the wing will lose lift and stall, because the air is so thin. He has just a few knots of airspeed to play with. And he juggles that for hours at a time, with no mistakes. Serious levels of skill and practice.
This was such a touching episode, but Jamie I think knew that the viewer would be much more inspired by seeing space through Adam's eyes - the wonder and the joy of Adam's experience made for amazing television.
For those that didnt know Jamie also has issues with Claustrophobia which is one the reasons he Let Adam be the passenger you could see when the suit first was pressurised the panic in Jamies eyes of "oh shit", Jamie while not "friends" with Adam they are still colleagues and he knows Adam is absolute space nut and this is about the closest Adam has gotten to being in space its an absolute bucket list moment for him.
Awesome show! What a way to see Mythbusters at work again! Knowledge, engineering, technology, craftmanship, entertainment, fear, joy, happiness, etc all put together im one show. Mythbustars has always been my favorite. Adam, I have no idea what you are going to do BUT, you do OWE BIG to Jamie! What´s next? Space Station? Moon?
@@Ard1304 Your correct. The Pontiac G8 was a four-door, RWD sedan originally made by Holden in Australia before eventually being sold in the United States under the Pontiac brand. The G8 was the exact same vehicle as the Holden Commodore but rebadged as a Pontiac.
Adam, that you got to do what you got to do..... I actually had tears in my eyes because I was so beyond happy for you! You got to live a dream. And we all should get to do that!!! You had to be quite literally (figuratively literally) over the moon when Jamie told you to go... Not sure how I missed this ep when it was aired...but love that it's here now!
Very envious not just because of your u2 flight experience you had in the U2 but also the seemingly close bond you two have. Thank you for making this content free for us to enjoy.
Jamie is more logical, and the show would obviously benefit more with Adam going up than himself. Imagine Jamie going up, yep we are at 70,000 feet, this is what it was designed to do, yawn. Adam is much more expressive and was the obvious choice for first choice. I don't believe they didn't like each other, but I do understand why they wouldn't want to hang out with each other.
it was awesome of Jamie to give Adam this chance of a lifetime knowing Adam would get far more out of it...i remember a few year's back when when Gary Sinise documented his trip it was far more in depth
Gudonya Adam & Jamie, what an experience! Just noticed that the chase cars are Holden Commodores made in AUSTRALIA (when we used to make things)! I suppose the only vehicle with the pronominal acceleration and stability to do the job that landing the U2 requires, Go Holden .... RIP.
This was the most amazing show that you two have made - I got a twinge of vertigo when that plane was climbing. Simply mind-altering stuff. Thanks, it was really brave of you to do the flight Adam. A very timely warning on drone dangers also - they all need to have propellor guards or some fool-proof safety mechanism. Very well-done experiment, and so necessary.
The U2s used to fly from RAF/USAF Alconbury. We had a great working relationship with the base and had their paramedics ride with me and in return I would go and work there. One of the pilots I was talking to was referring to the suit and kit they had, as well as a medical before each flight. Then he said he was at 60,000ft all dressed up for the aircraft, he looked out and saw Concorde approaching. He looked through his binoculars and he could see people in regular clothing sipping champagne and eating then just like that Concorde was gone. Each morning the sound of the U2 woke us up as it rocketed nearly vertically.
Back in the day at 60,000ft the U2 pilot would have looked up another 28,000ft he would have seen an English Electric Lightning inverted giving him the bird 😂😂😂🖕
Never saw a U2 at Alconbury when on detachment there but was often able to watch the take offs and landings at Akrotiri and also get woken up when not on the early shift.
This was the plane that got me into aviation. There’s a few of these based at RAF fairford in the UK for the USAF and they often fly over my house. It’s often already quite high and barely visible but damn it’s still loud! Wonder how audible it is at 70,009ft…!
There is also an entire group in the US dedicated to Importing Holden shells of Utes and sedans and putting them on the Pontiac G8 GT chassis because the Holden just look nicer and the bonus of doing that is when you register it, it skips all safety testing because it's a proven design and you get to call it whatever the hell you like on the documents because it's technically a custom car, one of the first guys to do it did a Ute shell swap and it kept getting mistaken for the Chevy Corvette Mule that is an absolute abomination attempt at bringing Aussie Utes to the US
That was so heartwarming to see Jamie give Adam the ride of his life! And if that footage of the Earth's curvature isn't enough to convince even the most hardcore flat earhters that they're wrong, then nothing ever will!
Adam should feel very privileged and honored to be able to do this not people would get to do such a awesome thing !! Its a shame we dont see these guys together anymore what happened with them?
Going on a flight like that or, even better, being able to behold the entirety of planet Earth from an Apollo mission would just about be the most cathartic and profound experience imaginable. One incredibly difficult element to flying the U-2 they didn't mention: once you get all the way up to those high altitudes, there is so little atmosphere that the plane's never-exceed speed and stall speed are only ~10 knots apart. That's a very narrow tightrope to walk on top of everything else that needs your attention.
A fun and interesting clip. In perspective passengers on the Concord sat in regular clothes drinking champagne and enjoying three course meals just 10 000 feet lower
Or, perhaps there was some minor health issue that prevented him from going. I would guess the list preventing flying is much longer then your average passenger jet or even "Vomit Comet".
@@alaric_ Cmon dude, Adam's obsessed with this stuff. The only reason I could see Jaimie insisting he go is to mess with Adam. Heck, I would have done that as a joke at first.
Actually the pilots of the SR-71 would also wear space suits. And it even would fly slightly higher than the U-2. That doesn't take away from the fact that the U-2 is an awesome plane, and it definitely is challenging to fly as close to coffin's corner as the U-2 requires. The SR-71 might be the cooler plane, due to speed and altitude, but the U-2 also deserves a decent amount of fame.
Some years back a U2 was operating out of Christchurch, New Zealand doing high altitude atmospheric research. I recall other traffic having to wait for the outrigger wheels to be recovered from the runway before they could use it.
I watched once an episode of Mythbusters, where they tried to prove a whirlpool can't sink a ship. They proved a deficit of fluid dynamics knowledge only. After that experience it is hard to come back to watching them. If they make a tv show they should have field experts as consultants for each case.
These drones are far more dangerous than they're making them out. I once flew my DJI in the house and cut up my wife's living room painting. I'm still feeling the repercussions to this day.
Such a humbling experience to go thru one your never going relive of forget vies of the planet not many get to see unless on tv digital mater. WELL DONE
Think it was an episode of Horizon and he was looking at new and different ways to implement the death penalty. Interesting watch for sure but quite a bit different to his railway stuff...
40 years ago I was flying high speed nitro powered rc planes that could take out a horse and no one batted an eye. Now I have a 251 gram plastic drone and I have to be certified and regulated 🤦♂️
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
That was so nice of Jamie. It's an experience that nothing else really compares to, and he just gives it to Adam because he knows Adam loves this stuff.
Respect.
Also hearing Adam's pure joy of being up there is also amazing.
Adam has said he's not allowed to say how high he was, but for reference, he could see a commercial airplane and he was higher to that plane than it was from the ground.Mind blowing.
@@DungeonBricks Did he say why he can't disclose that?
I would like to believe that Jamie was simply generous, but his fear of heights might have had something to do with his decision...
@@XORMeUk yes, in his channel (Tested) he's talked about it a couple of times, he's under an NDA and can't disclose the actual height they were (that's what you see they don't print the height after 70k ft)
@@DungeonBricks thanks I’ll have a look I wonder if it’s so people don’t know how high it can actually go
Adam is such a kind soul, like an eternal kid's mind. My eyes got watery when he expressed his feelings about mankind's achievements just by getting things from the soil and transforming them into such a feat of engineering.
Cars are in the same catagory of deadly inventions that are fundimental to our lives and they do kill people everyday. But doesn't mean we should stop driving them! Same for the bicycle. It's funny how fanatical amd hypocritically ignorant and narrow people can be. Regulation is needed, just no tinfoil hat wearing Kaens and Kens!! Learn before you judge, get educated and you might start enjoying progress.
I had snot running, eyes watering. I bet Adam was the same way. Just amazing!
I'm really glad he said that. We take so much technology for granted, completely ignoring the hardships and sacrifices which pioneers have made.
Massive respect to The Heineman! It takes a kind soul and great caracter to give that chance of a lifetime to another unselfishly.
He was scared.
He didn't pass the medicals so it's not exactly his decision.
@@velkoto1 is there a proof of what you said? Because i don't think they said it in this episode.
he hated everything about it
He is self-conscious enough to know who would appreciate it more.
"Do not try this at home!" Damn, my weekend plans foiled once again.
"Or in space" That one foiled mine.
Same. My high pressure altitude suit will have to stay in the wardrobe AGAIN.
I was gonna take my U-2 out this weekend but not anymore, I guess
Jamie is an honourable man.
Absolute Giga Chad! His decision made me cry a bit in a joyful manner. 🥲 I hope he will get his opportunity as well. ✊🙏
@@alhadinon You won't idiot
He's a bit dry and somewhat of a dull utilitarian dude with none of that extreme childlike enthusiasm that Adam has, but every type of person is needed in the world. What Jamie does have is integrity and honor and simplified solutions for extremely complex problems. Sometimes simple is better.
Adam is a dreamer who would tend to go waaaay overboard with complex designs just to satiate that inner child, but someone needs to dream big have the bravery to try new things for scientific progress. Without dreamers like him we wouldn't have cars or airplanes because the Jamies would've said "rocks/caves/horsebuggy/swords etc work just fine, don't break something that isn't broke"
Big respect for Jamie tho, that's a once-in-a-lifetime thing he just passed up because he knows his colleague well.
It was so BIG of Jamie to give Adam the opportunity to fly in the U2! What an honour!
Hyneman only goes bellow sea level, not above.
It's just very nice they spun it that way. Jamie felt uncomfortable when that suit was pressurized and even experienced pain (rewatch if you don't remember that scene), while Adam was smiling ear to ear and exploring how it affected his ability to move his arms and hands. Jamie failed, Adam passed. The rest was just saving face.
@@lukearts2954 No need to rewatch it, I recall what you're talking about.. I do agree, Jamie was very panicked by the suit pressure test.
I believe he passed the tests, albeit technically failing to keep his cool.. but Adam was obviously the better choice from the start..
So yes in summary, I agree.
@@ashhawk2346 while they didn't show it, I'm pretty sure he failed that part but they let him continue just to see if it would get dramatically better. I'm this sure because I've seen similar reactions to full face diving masks in training situations, where the candidate was asked to leave the course because if the unexpected element already triggered panic in a training situation, any unexpected hick-up in the real world will definitely do so too.
People who do well in such special suits, have the time of their lives in them. "If you don't feel the rush of joy, it's not for you" is what the instructor told the guy that had to leave. And I agree. I don't know what it is exactly, but using breathing apparatus just gives me a boost.
@ashhawk23s😢46
I don't know why, but i cried while whatching this because it's so awesome. I am so happy for Adam!
I cried too... I felt something similar when talking to NAVY veterans while visiting the Intrepid Air & Space Museum (NY), in 2019. We all cried at that time. Living history has those effects.
The earths curvature is awe inspiring and spellbinding, not to mention how fragile the onion thin atmosphere layer that enables and supports all life on our 'pale blue dot' . . . the image of earth taken from Neptune by the Voyager 1 deep space probe that Carl Sagan talked NASA into taking back on Feb. 14, 1990.
You are NOT alone 🥲💙
@@gregmills8192 The curvature was due to the lens on the GoPros
@@-TKMAX- maybe it got exagerated by the lense but you deff can see the curve from up there, doesnt even need to be that high
Probably one of the best ever episodes. And they have a lot of good ones.
I remember this from the original airing, and it still gets me in the feels. I think the myth that Adam and Jamie didn't like each other was busted in this episode, if Jamie didn't like Adam he would have taken the flight knowing how much Adam would have wanted it. What Jamie did was an act of pure affection and respect for Adam. They both had an equal shot at going up in the U2, yet Jamie gave it to Adam in full knowledge that he will most likely never get an opportunity to do anything remotely like this ever again.
Think the fact that Jamie is a bit claustrophobic had a part to play in that as well. But still
you don't work together for years if you don't at least respect eachother and learn to cooperate and use eachothers strenghts and deal with eachothers weakspots!
they are quiet different ppl, different mindsets, but they share the same passion and goal, that matters!^^
They are lovers
@@johnredcorn2476 Why would they be?!
@@HalNordmann because they both putt from the rough
Holy S... This brough tears to my eyes... Truly magnificent
Adam did not know how right he was when he said: With a large one you could do some genuine damage like maybe even KIA somebody. In today's warfare, drones are becoming one of the main weapon systems.
most of them are not even much larger
but he wasnt talking about using them to drop bombs or use them as kamikaze drones soo i mean he wasnt exactly right lol they where teting to see if the drone on its own can kia
kia?
@@edwardevans1498 kill in action I presume
Back then, anyone who was even remotely concerned about technology and war could tell that drones would be the next revolution on the battlefield. This was already the case with predators in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everything we can see today was predictable 25 years ago, as same as with warplanes and battle tanks from the end of World War I to the end of World War II, only idiots and blind people do not could not predict the obvious evolution linked to these type of technologies.
As an ex-gliding instructor, I love the fact that such a multi-million dollar machine has a Yaw-String stuck to each canopy. We also have to note that, while Adam’s flight was to 70,000 feet, the Perlan 2 has flown to more than 76,000 feet - with two crew in pressure suits, in its pressurised cockpit - but with NO ENGINE.
Yes, Perlan 2 is a GLIDER…!
so for an unpowered glider to get to an altitude that is higher than the official max attitude of the u2 means that the u2 can almost certainly go higher than the official max altitude of 73,000 feet
Loved following the perlan two here on yt 👍
I saw the yaw strings too. They gave me a chuckle. I did 10000 ft in a 1-26c one sunny day. I shivered all the way back to the airfield. It was friggin cold even at 10 thou.
@@bescotdude9121 this does not depend on power as much as it depends on aerodynamic configuration. perlan is a very modern plane, using materials that did not exist when the u2 was designed. this enables wing shapes that arent possible to build out of metal or wood.
The F4 Aldo had a yaw string!
37:25 This is just a wonderful moment to share with us... The Music, the Beauty of our Planet.. viewed through the technical Masterpiece humanity has built... And yet we still destory ourselfs
An amazing episode, I miss that show. Still has to be the best show ever televised. You could probably count on one hand the amount of people that have gone up in the U2 that were not military personnel. Only two I can think of are Adam Savage and James May.
The only other TV show in this Informative Entertainment style, with higher ratings and public awareness, is Top Gear, with the big three hosts. And James May, aka Captain Slow, got the U-2 ride for a series of specials he did for the BBC.
It's rare but the USAF does allow occasional civilian ride-alongs for PR purposes...it's good from time to time to let the taxpayers see what their money is getting them.
I remember when this first aired and I remember getting emotional at Adam's flight. It was beautiful to me. Still hits me in the feelings today.
Lovely of Jamie to say and do what he did for Adam. Huge respect, that was genuine 😊
What a wonderful world! It's almost hard fighting back tears on this amazing view, down to our beautyful planet.
Yeah, I couldn't.
Maybe a sign of my age and general mental health state
Oh man...what an amazing/once-in-a-lifetime thing to experience!...And as others have already commented - listening to Adam's joy made it all the more special!..Thanks for sharing Mythbusters!
Of all the things Adam has done, that U-2 flight is by far the one I'd like to replicate the most.
But I was told not to try it at home.
Didn't say anything about trying it at your neighbour's house though.
You would need a very big home
The first issue is acquiring a U-2, they aren't really sold by the dozen, so you would need to make your own.
And since planes are rather large and you probably don't have a runway at home, you'd need to get an airport, or a piece of highway. And at that point you're not at home anymore, so go ahead!
@@HappyBeezerStudios Details schmetails :)
It's amazing to think almost 50 years ago Concorde was flying at 60,000 feet at Mac2.02 while the passengers ate dinner and drank Champagne 🍾 without any space or pressure suit's and still nothing else has even come close to it 😊.
32:57 -- Hats of to you Jamie Heineman... What you did was totally fantastic... I like the "handshake" after... I would have given the walrus a big hug for that.
They may not be the best of friends however they are honourable people and those people one would want then the going gets tough.
I had the same impression flying an old Astir CS glider. Like most gliders, one central wheel to balance on and a skate at the back, high aspect ratio wings, a lot of ground effect, the yaw indicator string taped onto the canopy of course, and most importantly, can't see the darn runway because she lands with plenty of AOA and that big old compass is sitting on the dash blocking the view.
The U2 was hard to fly in its original version. It has huge control surfaces meant for the thin air at high altitude. That means that at lower altitudes, with more dynamic pressure on the control surfaces and no power assist, it required a bodybuilder to move the controls. Modernized controls solved this issue. The U2 flies so high it is close to the coffins corner, that is when the stall speed (Vs) is near the not exceed speed (Vne), often within 10 knots of each other, requiring constant corrections on the throttle under penalty of death. The modernised U2 has autothrottle, taking a lot of the workload off the pilot. She is still a b***h to land having to stall about max 2ft off the ground. The landing gear of a U2 cannot take more punishment than that (contrary to a glider). Every possible gram has been shaved off.
Glad to read someone talking about the coffin corner. The pilot is balancing the aircraft all the time, no let up, right on the edge of an aerodynamic stall at 70,000 feet. The plane is within 10 knots of "never exceed" speed. But if it goes any slower, the wing will lose lift and stall, because the air is so thin. He has just a few knots of airspeed to play with. And he juggles that for hours at a time, with no mistakes. Serious levels of skill and practice.
This was such a touching episode, but Jamie I think knew that the viewer would be much more inspired by seeing space through Adam's eyes - the wonder and the joy of Adam's experience made for amazing television.
What a wonderful gift to give your friend. Your friend who clearly loved the experience. Props to you Mr H.
that flight on the edge of space with Adam commentary was tearfully emotional not gonna lie..
Agreed. It's obvious that Adam was overwhelmed by the experience but he had the presence of mind to record and share his thoughts.
Yeah man
For those that didnt know Jamie also has issues with Claustrophobia which is one the reasons he Let Adam be the passenger you could see when the suit first was pressurised the panic in Jamies eyes of "oh shit", Jamie while not "friends" with Adam they are still colleagues and he knows Adam is absolute space nut and this is about the closest Adam has gotten to being in space its an absolute bucket list moment for him.
Wasn’t jamie a deep sea diver? Then claustrofobia doesn’t sound logical to me, dive bells saturation dives all involve small spaces
That's totally understandable. Many aspiring astronauts end up not making selection because they cannot handle the claustrophobia of a pressure suit.
Awesome show! What a way to see Mythbusters at work again! Knowledge, engineering, technology, craftmanship, entertainment, fear, joy, happiness, etc all put together im one show. Mythbustars has always been my favorite. Adam, I have no idea what you are going to do BUT, you do OWE BIG to Jamie! What´s next? Space Station? Moon?
Well, I didn't cry but I found it to be very emotional seeing our planet from 70,000 feet. Thankyou so much for taking me along.
nice drone myth busting, but to see the curvature of the earth is priceless ,Adam is a very lucky person ;D
The Concorde Pilot's could also see the runway and didn't need a chase car too help them land. Just proves how amazing Concorde was.😊
Myth-busters made me who I am today, glad to see the videos re uploaded.
As an Australian, I'm proud to see a Holden Commodore chase car. 👍
it's actually a pontiac g8, as they're in california. but yeah, practically the same car 👍
@@Ard1304
Your correct. The Pontiac G8 was a four-door, RWD sedan originally made by Holden in Australia before eventually being sold in the United States under the Pontiac brand. The G8 was the exact same vehicle as the Holden Commodore but rebadged as a Pontiac.
Adam, that you got to do what you got to do..... I actually had tears in my eyes because I was so beyond happy for you! You got to live a dream. And we all should get to do that!!! You had to be quite literally (figuratively literally) over the moon when Jamie told you to go... Not sure how I missed this ep when it was aired...but love that it's here now!
Very envious not just because of your u2 flight experience you had in the U2 but also the seemingly close bond you two have. Thank you for making this content free for us to enjoy.
When you know these 2 don’t get along that much. It’s such a noble move from Jamie !
Jamie was afraid to do it obviously
Jamie is more logical, and the show would obviously benefit more with Adam going up than himself. Imagine Jamie going up, yep we are at 70,000 feet, this is what it was designed to do, yawn. Adam is much more expressive and was the obvious choice for first choice. I don't believe they didn't like each other, but I do understand why they wouldn't want to hang out with each other.
knowing they are just working together , they were not friends . still, jamie gave up his seat . respect
Wow. Truly spectacular. I think Someone was cutting onions when Adam was talking at the edge of space
I'm actually crying for him that was beautiful, truly breathtaking
0:32 It turns out that the destroyers predicted combat FPV drones long before they appeared. legendary show
it was awesome of Jamie to give Adam this chance of a lifetime knowing Adam would get far more out of it...i remember a few year's back when when Gary Sinise documented his trip it was far more in depth
I used to watch this as a child, now that i watch it again i'm about to cry :')
Gudonya Adam & Jamie, what an experience! Just noticed that the chase cars are Holden Commodores made in AUSTRALIA (when we used to make things)! I suppose the only vehicle with the pronominal acceleration and stability to do the job that landing the U2 requires, Go Holden .... RIP.
This was the most amazing show that you two have made - I got a twinge of vertigo when that plane was climbing. Simply mind-altering stuff. Thanks, it was really brave of you to do the flight Adam. A very timely warning on drone dangers also - they all need to have propellor guards or some fool-proof safety mechanism. Very well-done experiment, and so necessary.
the U2 pilot was super nice and had such a friendly vibe!
Probably the Best episode of this show I have ever seen!
"Don't try this at home" Yea cuz so many people have a spare U2 just hanging around. :p
uhm, you don't? 😂
That was the joke I think. I however, have two.
I don’t have a spare u2. Let me check… er nope! 😂😂
@@JiluMiah-ek2rd Likely out at the cleaners
I have several U2. Records.
The U2s used to fly from RAF/USAF Alconbury. We had a great working relationship with the base and had their paramedics ride with me and in return I would go and work there. One of the pilots I was talking to was referring to the suit and kit they had, as well as a medical before each flight. Then he said he was at 60,000ft all dressed up for the aircraft, he looked out and saw Concorde approaching. He looked through his binoculars and he could see people in regular clothing sipping champagne and eating then just like that Concorde was gone.
Each morning the sound of the U2 woke us up as it rocketed nearly vertically.
what a load of bs
Back in the day at 60,000ft the U2 pilot would have looked up another 28,000ft he would have seen an English Electric Lightning inverted giving him the bird 😂😂😂🖕
Never saw a U2 at Alconbury when on detachment there but was often able to watch the take offs and landings at Akrotiri and also get woken up when not on the early shift.
Jamie is a legend! Adam has a great deal of respect for him for giving him that opportunity! I know Adam is a nut for this stuff! A great episode!
I am envious; in a good way. I am happy you guys went through that experience!!!
This Episode was realy awesome. The U 2 is such a stunning Airplane.
Very few people will ever get to go in that jet as long as it's in service still. Well done. You joined the club. 😊😊😊
This was the plane that got me into aviation. There’s a few of these based at RAF fairford in the UK for the USAF and they often fly over my house. It’s often already quite high and barely visible but damn it’s still loud! Wonder how audible it is at 70,009ft…!
Just think of one loose stitch... what would you do or say?, you have to admire these guys and girls, their lives, our world, "THANK YOU"
That is I think, the best episode of one of my favourite programmes.
Check out the Holden Commodore chasing the U2... 'straya mate 😎🇦🇺
Favorite episode ever.
I think an experience of going up to that elevation would be amazing! I think I would be brought to tears by the emotion of it.
What a piece of engineering....we made more achievements in the 50s and 60s than today. I think the SR 71 is an even harder plane to control ...
That was *FABULOUS!* Kudos to Jamie to allow Uber-nerd Adam to make the ride.
i cried seeing what adam is seeing below
I miss these guys
thank you mythbusters
38:00 I also cried and I can only imagine how he feels like. That must have been an amazing day.
The chase car is a Holden. Nice.
It's actually the US version called a Pontiac G8 GT same chassis and motor/trans combos different shell still a GM product however
There is also an entire group in the US dedicated to Importing Holden shells of Utes and sedans and putting them on the Pontiac G8 GT chassis because the Holden just look nicer and the bonus of doing that is when you register it, it skips all safety testing because it's a proven design and you get to call it whatever the hell you like on the documents because it's technically a custom car, one of the first guys to do it did a Ute shell swap and it kept getting mistaken for the Chevy Corvette Mule that is an absolute abomination attempt at bringing Aussie Utes to the US
@@Tater_Lord and people put ugly Pontiac front ends on their Holden's.
Made in Australia.
I'm happy with my Mitsubishi badge on my 380.
That was so heartwarming to see Jamie give Adam the ride of his life! And if that footage of the Earth's curvature isn't enough to convince even the most hardcore flat earhters that they're wrong, then nothing ever will!
Such an enjoyable show, rare that its educational.
I harbor an infinite amount of envy for this experience.
Im so glad I can watch Mythbusters again online :)
Adam should feel very privileged and honored to be able to do this not people would get to do such a awesome thing !! Its a shame we dont see these guys together anymore what happened with them?
This was such a great episode. Thanks for that
The best show of all time
Going on a flight like that or, even better, being able to behold the entirety of planet Earth from an Apollo mission would just about be the most cathartic and profound experience imaginable. One incredibly difficult element to flying the U-2 they didn't mention: once you get all the way up to those high altitudes, there is so little atmosphere that the plane's never-exceed speed and stall speed are only ~10 knots apart. That's a very narrow tightrope to walk on top of everything else that needs your attention.
you would not believe what i am willing to give to experience that. Even if its the last thing i do, i need to see our big blue marble in its entirety
That view was incredible, would have been awesome to get more footage of it but awesome none the less
Drones, not RC planes. Pretty big difference! Especially for a "science" channel with 530k subs!
So jealous want to fly as Adam. Beautiful view of this planet.
So sad that the real Mythbusters don't make new Series. :/
A fun and interesting clip.
In perspective passengers on the Concord sat in regular clothes drinking champagne and enjoying three course meals just 10 000 feet lower
I wonder if Adam has found a way to, appropriately, repay Jaime for bowing out of the flight.
Or, perhaps there was some minor health issue that prevented him from going. I would guess the list preventing flying is much longer then your average passenger jet or even "Vomit Comet".
Possible Jaime wasn't interested in the flight because he felt uncomfortable in the suit.
Well, Jamie is and still afraid of height. Man, I miss mythbuster.
@@alaric_ Cmon dude, Adam's obsessed with this stuff. The only reason I could see Jaimie insisting he go is to mess with Adam. Heck, I would have done that as a joke at first.
Jamie didn't want to do it at all. He was doing himself a favor
That wingspan is majestic.
But how it wobbles on contact takes away all the grace.
Actually the pilots of the SR-71 would also wear space suits. And it even would fly slightly higher than the U-2. That doesn't take away from the fact that the U-2 is an awesome plane, and it definitely is challenging to fly as close to coffin's corner as the U-2 requires. The SR-71 might be the cooler plane, due to speed and altitude, but the U-2 also deserves a decent amount of fame.
I was just wondering the same about the space suits. I'm a HUGE SR-71 fan.
Some years back a U2 was operating out of Christchurch, New Zealand doing high altitude atmospheric research. I recall other traffic having to wait for the outrigger wheels to be recovered from the runway before they could use it.
I love that the chase car is an old Australian made taxi. Great episode guys and as for dangerous drones, just talk to a few Russian combat troops.
I watched once an episode of Mythbusters, where they tried to prove a whirlpool can't sink a ship. They proved a deficit of fluid dynamics knowledge only. After that experience it is hard to come back to watching them. If they make a tv show they should have field experts as consultants for each case.
Best one ever BUT God help Adam when he calls in that favour. True friendship .
Funny considering they are not friends
So glad I came across this channel
jamie seems to act the same way as i did when i first played around with brushless motor and a blade. this stuff is scary and powerful
Man that U2 flight was so cool!!
In 3:51 minute there are the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen !!!!
Cool! At 2:56 is an Avro Canada C-102 jetliner. First jetliner in North America!
The title is confusing. I didn´t see a single RC PLANE in the video....
Using Australian made cars (Holden Commodores) as chase cars for the U2. That's so awesome.
These drones are far more dangerous than they're making them out. I once flew my DJI in the house and cut up my wife's living room painting. I'm still feeling the repercussions to this day.
Pissed off wifey, yup that could be deadly, to the operator.😋
You're joking? that's incorrect grammar Don't say it's far more dangerous, say YOU are far more dangerous. God bless Amiricar 🤣
Cool to see the small string/thread in front of the U2, lowtech just like we use on gliders :)
The coolest video I have ever seen!
Such a humbling experience to go thru one your never going relive of forget vies of the planet not many get to see unless on tv digital mater. WELL DONE
reminds me of my whole childhood. lets go!
mythbusters predicted drone warfare
I never expected to see Michael Portillo on Mythbusters.
Think it was an episode of Horizon and he was looking at new and different ways to implement the death penalty. Interesting watch for sure but quite a bit different to his railway stuff...
Great one you guys!
40 years ago I was flying high speed nitro powered rc planes that could take out a horse and no one batted an eye.
Now I have a 251 gram plastic drone and I have to be certified and regulated 🤦♂️
This was beautiful