Factual error
The instructor giving orientation to the new drivers at the hanger states the cameras are "4500mm" lens. This would make each lens over 14' diameter.
shareThe instructor giving orientation to the new drivers at the hanger states the cameras are "4500mm" lens. This would make each lens over 14' diameter.
shareThe 4500mm is the focal length not the diameter.
As far as armament goes, the original U-2 was mostly outfitted with a massive camera — and I really mean massive: An 180-inch (4,500mm) f/13.85 lens with 13-inch (33cm) square format photographic film. From an altitude of 65,000 feet, the camera/film could resolve details as small as 2.5 feet (76cm).
If it was an f 13.85 lens, the diameter of the aperture was almost 14 inches.
That is a huge lens, though 14 inches is considerably smaller than 14 feet.