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Watch the World's Last XB-70 Super Bomber Leave Its Hangar
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force recently towed the XB-70 Valkyrie bomber out of its hangar. The airplane is in such good condition that it looks like it could fly today. The XB-70 was one of the most ambitious weapon systems of the Cold War, but it was canceled due to development problems and cost. In October, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force needed to perform work on one of its storage hangars, which necessitated moving the world’s only remaining XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic… (www.yahoo.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I missed by a day seeing this bird land from ferry flight to WP, in spring 1970. The buzz that summer was it would fly once more, during the air show (where I got to see Harold Krier for the first and last time). But during the show, no SR71 appeared. The 'freindlies' wouldn't let it fly. And yes, today its in pretty 'un-airworthly' condition. North American engineers led by Kelly Johnson had their last hurrah with this bird.
The article states that the aircraft is in good condition. Realistically she is far from airworthy condition. A large portion of the honeycomb structure is delaminating. Also a link on the nose gear strut was broken when they had moved her from on hanger to another at the museum. The last time I paid her a visit she was in a hanger inside of the base and you had to be bussed after passing a clearance check.
She was and still is a masterpiece in aeronautical engineering. My best XB-70 moment was when a museum visitor asked where the B-70 was. I told them "you are standing underneath it!!" The cockpit sits nearly 20 feet off the ground and I am 6'4" can walk under the 6 pack without having to stoop.
She was and still is a masterpiece in aeronautical engineering. My best XB-70 moment was when a museum visitor asked where the B-70 was. I told them "you are standing underneath it!!" The cockpit sits nearly 20 feet off the ground and I am 6'4" can walk under the 6 pack without having to stoop.
The headline is misleading, the picture is from the '60s. When do we get to see the XB-70 leave its hanger.
There's a link, in the article, to here
https://theaviationist.com/2020/11/01/museum-makes-monumental-move-of-massive-xb-70-mach-3-mega-bomber-for-maintenance/
https://theaviationist.com/2020/11/01/museum-makes-monumental-move-of-massive-xb-70-mach-3-mega-bomber-for-maintenance/
American Exceptionalism is alive and well. Fuhgeddaboudit.
Like to see those six puppies lit and perform a vertical
Take off full after burners.
Take off full after burners.