Travel back in time to the shoot-down of Francis Gary Powers in a U-2 over the Urals on May 1, 1960. WACO Air Museum will host John Schell and Don Gray, on Thursday night, November 18th at 7pm, as they reveal the secrets from the archives. Russian records were classified and hidden over 50 years in military archives. The classified documents, and pilot Powers’ recollection are the basis for the story. John Schell, a former radar development engineer and NMUSAF docent, will discuss U2 overflights of the USSR, the SA-2 system operation, and a map with a timeline showing all SA-2 launches in “Operation Grand Slam.”. Don Gray, a former USAF personal equipment specialist and a senior docent at NMUSAF, will summarize the Russian investigation that followed.
This aviation lecture is free and open to the public and will be held in the Willis Wing of the WACO Air Museum at 1865 South County Road 25A in Troy, OH. The program is scheduled to last one hour, beginning at 7 p.m., with questions to follow. Doors will open at 6:30. Masks are recommended. Donations to the WACO Air Museum are accepted. For questions, please call 937-335-9226 or visit www.wacoairmuseum.org.