North American XB-70 Valkyrie by duo
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Description
North American XB-70 Valkyrie
After World War II, the US Air Force's (USAF) strategic bombers grew ever more capable, each reaching higher altitudes and greater speeds than its predecessor. By the late 1950s, the USAF was planning to develop a "super-bomber", the North American "B-70", that would be built in large numbers. In reality, improvements in Soviet air defenses and the development of the ICBM made the B-70 obsolete before it ever flew. The B-52, which was planned to have been an interim type leading to the B-70, still remains in first-line service in the 21st century. However, two XB-70s were completed as supersonic test aircraft, and were among the sleekest and most impressive aircraft that ever flew.
One was lost in an incident. The surviving XB-70, continued to amass research data, largely for NASA. Its last flight was on 4th February, 1969, to the USAF Museum, Wright-Patterson, where it remains, alongside the Convair B-36, the largest aircraft on display.
Comments (14)
Quidnunc
A beautiful aircraft, skillfully depicted.
pakled
see a lot of similarities to future designs for the shuttle..great modeling, keep it up..
PreyingJaws
love the history lesson.
technogeek
I wonder if NASA could use some of its design features for the next generation of space transportation. Just a thought.
adrian3Dart
Great model! Very well done v
vbarreto
Beautiful image for a beautiful airplane.
alpharalph
The plane, in person, is so huge yet so fragile. Compared to the B-36, it looks so much like a true raptor, (far too) easily broken, but so deadly. Yet even the B-36, such a huge aircraft, up close is so narrow at the tail. Riding in one of these planes took guts that we do not appreciate. And flying in a B-52 over Hanoi, a B-29 over Tokyo, or a B-17 over Berlin must have been a truly harrowing experience. Wonderful art, truly beautiful.
Wankerboy
Love the Valkyrie. Pity what happened on its test flight. 1 of only 2 lost. Although its future was doomed by the ICBM anyway.
TheBryster
Great pic! Interestingly enough there were loads of these 'conceptual' designs around in th 60s. I was always fascinated by them. The b52 was always a favourite with me. I watched with great interest as they were used in the 'shock & awe' campagne of the last Iraq war. Even though these things are decades old and well past their sell-by date, and have to have their engines running for over an hour before take-off, modern weaponary has meant that b52s can be 'gainfully' employed in the 21st centuray. I look forawrd to more 'concepts' from FDuo. Again, well done!
sirgugu
Nice. This is the only aircraft - I can remember - with dropped wing tips. Detailed in your image. Thanks.
PeterRama
Awesome image! The XB-70 actually lost out on two counts. THe first was the arrangement of the engines, if an inboard engine needed fixing then all the outboard engines had to be removed first. Second it lost out in the political battle to the B-1, which the the crash of the first one (due to a mid air collision with a chase plane) didn't help. Another bit of info, it flew so fast that they had to re-paint it after each flight as the paint kept peeling off...
Eugenius
I recall reading about this aricraft. Very nice modeling!
Odessey
Super job and a super model.
WLewis
This image reminds me of that fateful day when Joe Walker in a F-104 chase plane lost his life when is aircraft got too close to the B-70 and was caught in a vortex crashing him into the B-70. The bomber lost control a few minutes later and only one pilot was able to get out. All in front of GE photographers in another plane. This is a wonderful image and does the B-70 proud!