Author : John M. Campbell
Publisher : Schiffer Military History
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 47,99 MB
Release : 1997-01-06
Category : B-70 bomber
ISBN : 9780887409066
The North American XB-70 is one of the most unusual looking aircraft in aviation history, and only two were constructed. It was originally designed as a Mach 3 high-altitude bomber, but was later used as a research aircraft. This new book by John Campbell and Garry Pape gives a short, detailed history of the XB-70, including production, flight tests, and the fatal crash of Aircraft #2 in 1965. Aircraft #1 is now at the U.S. Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB.
Author : Dennis R. Jenkins
Publisher : Specialty Press (MN)
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 21,35 MB
Release : 2008
Category : History
ISBN : 9781580071307
This is the story of the largest Mach 3 aircraft ever flown the North American Aviation XB-70A Valkyrie. Dennis R. Jenkins and Tony R. Landis have conducted extensive research in military, NASA, and company archives to find previously uncovered aspects of this fascinating program. Includes descriptions of the proposed bombing and navigation systems, defensive armament, electronic countermeasures, and early attempts at stealth technology. Accompanied by over 250 photos and dozens of illustrations, this in-depth history covers the entire B-70 program, not just the two aircraft that ultimately flew.
Author : Kenneth Katz
Publisher : Pen and Sword Aviation
Page : 552 pages
File Size : 33,10 MB
Release : 2022-03-18
Category : History
ISBN : 1399014722
“This profusely illustrated and thoroughly researched book conveys a wealth of information” about the USAF’s B-1 bomber (Aviation History Magazine). When the B-52 Stratofortress entered operational service with the US Air Force in 1955, work was already underway on defining its successor. The B-70 Valkyrie, a Mach 3 jet bomber, was one option. Although two XB-70A prototypes flew, the B-70 never went into production. Out of the subsequent Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft program came the B-1A bomber, which flew at high speed and low altitude to evade enemy air defenses. But the B-1A was cancelled in favor of fitting the B-52 with cruise missiles. The B-1, known as the BONE, was revived in 1981 as the improved B-1B to boost American military power and serve as a symbol of American strength at the peak of Cold War tensions. The B-1B entered service in 1986 with several deficiencies. The resolution of most of these issues coincided with the end of the Cold War. After the Cold War, the B-1B lost its primary nuclear mission but remained relevant by transforming into a high-speed, long-range, high-payload delivery platform for conventional precision-guided munitions. The first combat use of the B-1B was in 1998 in Iraq. The BONE has proved a highly effective combat aircraft in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and the former Yugoslavia. This extensively illustrated book traces the BONE’s long development and operational history in detail. “A must-read book . . . a great reference for historians, pilots, engineers, and even policy makers. Both the writing and photos are excellent.” —Air & Space Power History
Author : Peter E. Davies
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 81 pages
File Size : 28,20 MB
Release : 2019-02-21
Category : History
ISBN : 147282508X
Half a century before the 'flying wing' B-2 stealth bomber entered service, John K. 'Jack' Northrop was already developing prototypes of a large 'flying wing' strategic bomber, which would have been the most radical bombers of their age. World War II brought a need for very long-range bombers and Northrop received a contract for a 172-ft span bomber, the B-35. Several of these were built, gradually evolving into the definitive XB-35 configuration. Testing revealed that the aircraft was invisible to radar, but engineers struggled to overcome the design challenges and several pilots were lost in crashes. While the program was cancelled in the 1950s, the concept extended into other highly innovative areas, such as the XP-56 and MX-324 Rocket Wing prototype fighters. But the greatest legacy was the first operational flying wing – the Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bomber, which used much of the hard-won experience from the pioneering programs of half a century before.
Author : Elmer A. Norvell
Publisher : Courier Corporation
Page : 114 pages
File Size : 21,60 MB
Release : 2011-09-12
Category : Crafts & Hobbies
ISBN : 0486132587
Fold realistic replicas of 19 planes — 10 airworthy, 9 for display. Models include the Concorde, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-117 Nighthawk, and XB-70 Valkyrie. A CD-ROM contains bonus photos, full-color "skins," and additional models.
Author : National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Publisher : DigiCat
Page : 276 pages
File Size : 14,65 MB
Release : 2022-11-13
Category : Transportation
ISBN :
This book puts the reader in the pilot's seat for a "day at the office" unlike any other. The Smell of Kerosene tells the dramatic story of a NASA research pilot who logged over 11,000 flight hours in more than 125 types of aircraft. Donald Mallick gives the reader fascinating first-hand description of his early naval flight training, carrier operations, and his research flying career with NASA. After transferring to the NASA Flight Research Center, Mallick became involved with projects that further pushed the boundaries of aerospace technology. These included the giant delta-winged XB-70 supersonic airplane, the wingless M2-F1 lifting body vehicle, and triple-sonic YF-12 Blackbird. Mallick also test flew the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle and helped develop techniques used in training astronauts to land on the Moon.
Author : Jeannette Remak
Publisher : Zenith Press
Page : 136 pages
File Size : 10,81 MB
Release : 1998
Category : History
ISBN :
Though production of the XB-70 Valkyrie was limited to just two prototypes, it remains one of the most incredible aircraft ever built. Conceived at the height of the Cold War, the XB-70 was envisioned as long-range, high-altitude bomber capable of Mach 3 at a time when fighter aircraft one-tenth its weight struggled to attain Mach 2. Eventually, however, advances in air-to-air missile technology made the bomber obsolete before it even entered service. This book is the complete story of the XB-70 Valkyrie, from its promising future as the most likely successor to the B-52, through its abandonment after 15 years of development. Explained and illustrated are the innovative technologies and materials introduced by the project and how they paved the way for future aircraft like the B-l, B-2, and F-117. Also described are the backroom politics associated with the XB-70 and the tragic crash that killed the crew of one prototype. Today, the surviving XB-70 is the centerpiece exhibit at the U.S Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Author : Bill Shepard
Publisher :
Page : 220 pages
File Size : 10,11 MB
Release : 2018-04-18
Category :
ISBN : 9781985897748
Van Shepard rose from a humble upbringing in the Great Depression to pursue his lifelong passion for aviation. After receiving his Army Air Forces pilot's wings in World War II, he became a test pilot for the US Air Force, launching a career in which he flew virtually every category of aircraft. As an industry test pilot, his accomplishments included piloting the largest supersonic aircraft in America's history, the XB-70 Valkyrie, at three times the speed of sound. Along the way, her survived a typhoon's direct hit in Okinawa, a low altitude ejection from a flaming fighter in Ohio, and an emergency landing on malfunctioning gear in California. He met his demise doing what he loved, testing a new aircraft design at Edwards Air Force Base.
Author : Peter E. Davies
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 81 pages
File Size : 14,86 MB
Release : 2018-03-20
Category : History
ISBN : 1472825039
The story of one of the most magnificent aircraft of the Cold War--America's six-engined Mach 3 bomber prototype: the XB-70 Valkyrie.
Author : Graham M. Simons
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 383 pages
File Size : 31,92 MB
Release : 2014-08-19
Category : History
ISBN : 1783461616
“A fascinating insight into one of the Cold War’s most interesting concept aircraft . . . [with] new information, photographs and first-hand accounts.” —Flypast During the 1950s, plans were being drawn at North American Aviation in Southern California for an incredible Mach-3 strategic bomber. The concept was born as a result of General Curtis LeMay’s desire for a heavy bomber with the weapon load and range of the subsonic B-52 and a top speed in excess of the supersonic medium bomber, the B-58 Hustler. However, in April 1961, Defense Secretary McNamara stopped the production go-ahead for the B-70 because of rapid cost escalation and the USSR’s newfound ability to destroy aircraft at extremely high altitude using either missiles or the new Mig-25 fighter. Nevertheless, in 1963 plans for the production of three high-speed research aircraft were approved and construction proceeded. In September 1964 the first Valkyrie, now re-coded A/V-1, took to the air for the first time and in October went supersonic. This book is the most detailed description of the design, engineering and research that went into this astounding aircraft. It is full of unpublished details, photographs and firsthand accounts from those closely associated with the project. Although never put into full production, this giant six-engined aircraft became famous for its breakthrough technology, and the spectacular images captured on a fatal air-to-air photo shoot when an observing Starfighter collided with Valkyrie A/V-2 which crashed into the Mojave Desert. “Well-illustrated with numerous diagrams and black and white photographs, the book provides an interesting insight into one of the so-called ‘white elephant’ projects of the 1960s.” —Jets Monthly
