North American XB-70 Valkyrie cover
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Description

Of the many futuristic military aircraft concepts created in the 1950s the North American XB-70 still stands out as the most awe-inspiring. With its huge, white partially-folding delta wing, its fuselage resembling a striking cobra and its extraordinary performance, it was one of the foremost technological achievements of the 20th Century.

A strategic bomber built to outrun any Soviet fighter jet, it could reach Mach 3 with a full nuclear payload - as fast as the legendary SR-71 Blackbird but more than three times the size. However, its role as a nuclear bomber was limited after the introduction of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, and defence cuts eventually led to the project being scrapped in the mid-1960s.

The Valkyrie had a brief, costly decade of life but it proved the continuing value of developing manned bombers. However, almost half a century after the XB-70 its predecessor, the B-52, continues in service. Using full colour artwork and rigorous analysis, this is the complete story of the ultimate US Cold War military X-plane.

Table of Contents

Introduction /Bomber Battles: The White House and SAC /Building a Legend /Triple Mach /Under Threat /Achievements and Potential Developments /Further Reading /Index

Product details

Published 09 Mar 2018
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472825032
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series X-Planes
Short code XPL 7
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Peter E. Davies

Peter E. Davies has specialized in the aircraft of…

Illustrator

Wiek Luijken

Wiek Luijken is an artist based in England but bo…

Illustrator

Adam Tooby

Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital…

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