The amazing XB-70 Valkyrie - the supersonic bomber
In the 1950s North American Aviation company designed the most spectacular strategic nuclear bomber - B-70. This supersonic giant had six engines capable of reaching Mach 3+ at an altitude of 70.000 feet (21.000 m - the middle of the Stratosphere). But by the 1960s with the improved SAM technology and the introduction of ICBMs this bomber was to costly to made so the B-70 Bomber program was canceled, yet North American Aviation company, for scientific purposes built 2 experimental aircrafts XB-70A Valkyrie. During test flights only two minor incidents happened: one of the landing gears had issues lowering and paint chipped away. A 1st in aviation were the adjustable wing tips that could be lowered or raised if needed.
On 8 June 1966, XB-70A Valkyrie #2 collided in midair with a F-104 jet. NASA Chief Test Pilot Joe Walker (F-104 pilot) and Carl Cross (XB-70 co-pilot) were killed. Al White (XB-70 pilot) ejected, sustaining serious injuries.
Since 4 February 1969, XB-70A Valkyrie #1 is on display at National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.
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