North American Xb-70 Valkyrie

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.

Product details

• Authors: Peter E. Davies
• Assisted by: Wiek Luijken (Illustration), Luijken Wiek (Illustration), Adam Tooby (Illustration), Tooby Adam (Illustration)
• Publisher: Osprey Publishers
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.03.2018
• EAN: 9781472825032
• ISBN: 978-1-4728-2503-2
• No. of pages: 80
• Dimensions: 184 mm x 248 mm x 5 mm
• Series: X-Planes; X-Planes
• Subjects: Education and learning; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; military history, TRANSPORTATION / Aviation / History, United States of America, USA, Warfare and defence, Air forces and warfare, Aerospace & aviation technology, The Cold War, c 1945 to c 2000 (Post-war period)