Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ames!amdcad!military From: miles@ms.uky.edu (Stephen D. Grant) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: The XB-70 bomber program Message-ID: <27408@amdcad.AMD.COM> Date: 22 Sep 89 06:52:16 GMT References: <27390@amdcad.AMD.COM> Sender: cdr@amdcad.AMD.COM Organization: Univ. of Kentucky, USA. -5 GMT Lines: 34 Approved: military@amdcad.amd.com From: "Stephen D. Grant" In article <27390@amdcad.AMD.COM>, drk@MIT.EDU (David R. Kohr) writes: > A friend of mine recently saw one of the prototype models of the XB-70 > strategic bomber at an aviation museum in Dayton, Ohio. I have also visited the museum and have seen several documentaries on the production of the 'Valkyrie' as the bomber was named. The XB-70 was meant to be a supersonic long range bomber which could carry both nuclear and conventional payloads. It was rumored that development of this bomber was made in order to phase out the B52's. According to the documentary, longs hours and painstaking work went into the production of the first two prototypes. The program was frought with difficulties, and overspending. I can't remeber offhand which company built the Valkyrie, but i remember it was one of the more well known builders such as Northrop, General Dynamics or Lockheed or something. As for the prototypes, yes, 2 were built. There were tested extensively in the south west U.S., until a mishap which caused the destruction of the #2 prototype. A chase plane which was following the Valkyrie got too close to the bomber and the two planes wingtips, or some other part touched. The Valkyrie went into a spiraling dive and was obliterated. I can't remember who survived out of this catastrophe. Well this is most of the info i can scrape from my brain... check out your local bookstore or aviation history books. Even better, go to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and see a bit of everything, including the following: XB-70, F4, F15, A10, B1-A, C-130, Spitfire, Mustang SR-71 (Early model a Y(something)-71), B-17, U-2 plus many more rare and interesting planes and exhibits. It's worth the trip! Miles