Youtube video here.
Just amazing.
Thanks for the link. That was a very cool video. Those Top Gear guys get to do the coolest stuff. Their jobs rival dolphin trainer on the cool scale.
I’m glad that they had James go on the flight instead of Richard or Jeremy (and not just because we have the same last name). Richard might have been OK but Jeremy probably just would have snarked the whole time. I particularly liked the way he got choked up while trying to describe it. I also liked that Major Whatisname wore glasses and wasn’t a Tom Cruise clone. It showed that geeks are capable of extraordinary feats too.
I’m kicking myself for not having recorded it.
I’m really glad I did (on VHS mind you but I’ll save it to DVD tonight).
One awsome bit was looking seeing the airliner flying 30,000 feet beneath them.
I can’t watch the Youtube right now (at work), do I remember him having to do a whole load of training before going up? We know Captain Slow is a pilot but I guess he’s never gone up in something he might have to eject from, or had to wear a space suit. There is a BBC4 “making of” type program I guess that is what is in that show.
The clip is not from Top Gear, but from May’s own documentary called James May on the Moon.
Ignorance fought. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to watch it unless they happen to show it on BBC America. The BBC website only allows those in the UK to watch their videos. 
That’s awesome. How do I get that job, man?! I wanna do that.
Richard Branson should buy one of those two seat U-2 trainers and ditch the whole the Virgin Galactic idea…sounds like you get everything but the weightless experience in the U-2.
I had no idea there were U2s still flying.
James May has done some other very interesting BBC documentaries (listed on his wiki page). The way he narrates and talks to the people he meets is what I like. (My favourites are his series with Oz Clarke, and his recent science series.)
KRM: The Top Gear team all have very different styles that you need the right show for… Richard Hammond is apparently quite good at science shows for young audiences (I haven’t really watched any), and Jeremy Clarkson is amazing in his war documentaries.
As a non-Brit, it’s a crying shame that the BBC doesn’t release any of their materiel in NTSC Region 1, or let me use their BBC iPlayer. (Though I have found ways of getting their shows regardless).
first the bugatti Veyron and then a U2, what’s next? a threesome with MeganFox and Rhianna?
Indeed. Now that I’ve seen the whole episode, I realize just what a lucky dog James May is. It doesn’t seem fair that the vast majority of us will never be able to relate to what he’s talking about.
The entire program was excellent. It again reinforced just what an insane idea it was at the time, and how brave and lucky they all were (Ed White et al excepted) - but sadly, what ancient history too. And the U2 part really was very moving - and what a cool pilot.