Steve Ferguson (B. 1946) "U-2F Lockheed" Signed lower right. Mixed Media on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the Lockheed U-2 dated August 1, 1998. A product of Lockheed's famous "Skunk Works," the U-2 first flew in 1955. Used extensively during the Cold War for espionage reconnaissance over the Soviet Union, China, Cuba and North Vietnam, the U-2 was able to fly at very high altitudes -- 70,000 feet and up -- for extended periods. On May 1, 1960, an international furor was created when U.S. Air Force pilot Francis Gary Powers was downed while flying a U-2 in a reconnaissance mission over the Soviet Union. Two years later, U-2s flying over Cuba detected Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. On October 27, 1962, one of the U-2s was shot down. Fortunately, the next day the Soviets agreed to remove the missiles, ending the Cuban missile crisis and averting a major U.S.-Soviet conflict. Image Size: 16.5 x 13.75 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B13190)