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Valkyrie: The North American XB-70 (Paperback)

The USA's Ill-fated Supersonic Heavy Bomber

Aviation Military > Post-WWII Warfare Photographic Books

By Graham M. Simons
Imprint: Pen & Sword Aviation
Pages: 256
Illustrations: 170 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781473822856
Published: 31st May 2014
Last Released: 30th March 2023

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During the 1950s, at the time Elvis Presley was rocking the world with Hound Dog and the USA was aiming to become the world's only superpower, 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. If LeMay's plans came to fruition there would be 250 Valkyries in the air; it would be the pinnacle of his quest for the ultimate strategic bomber operated by America's Strategic Air Command. The design was a leap into the future that pushed the envelope in terms of exotic materials, avionics and power plants.

However, in April 1961, Defense Secretary McNamara stopped the production go-ahead for the B-70 on grounds of rapid cost escalation and the USSR's new-found ability of destroying aircraft at extremely high altitude by either missiles or the new Mig-25 fighter. Nevertheless, in1963 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 It is full of unpublished details, photographs and first-hand accounts from those closely associated with the project.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.

The loss of the $750 million aircraft and two lives stopped future development, although there were several attempts to redesign it as an airliner to compete against the European Concorde.

As Featured in

Model Aircraft Magazine, Vol. 21 February 2022

As featured by

Flightpath

As featured by

Austro Classic, 4/20019

Of great interest for all those interested in aeronautical history of the Cold War period.

STORIA militare, August 2018

This book delves into the story behind the programme's inception, execution and demise in detail.

Airfix Model World, June 2018

A fascinating insight into one of the Cold War's most interesting concept aircraft. Well researched and containing much new information, photographs and first hand accounts, this publication is highly recommended for all those with an interest in aircraft development.

Flypast

A must read for anyone with even a minor interest in the technical and political aspects of the XB-70.

The Aerospace Profesional

The cancellation of the programme and the very public fatal crash following a mid-air collision with an F-104 Starfighter chase aircraft ended a very interesting story, and here are all the facts.

Aeroplane

This volume covers all aspects of the Valkrie's development. 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
 Graham M. Simons

About Graham M. Simons

GRAHAM M. SIMONS was one of the founders of the world-famous aviation museum at Duxford near Cambridge where his interest was piqued watching the making of the film Battle of Britain there in the late 1960s. From this, and with an engineering background, he progressed to membership of a number of aviation societies, including sitting on the British Aviation Preservation Council, eventually taking the position of Engineering Director with one group. Graham combines his love of writing with his skills in production to create and publish aviation histories focused on a variety of subjects.

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