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North American XB-70 Valkyrie

Series: X-Planes
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( 20 ratings, 1 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was a groundbreaking strategic bomber developed in the 1950s, known for its futuristic design featuring a vast, folding delta wing and a fuselage shaped like a cobra. Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 3 while carrying a full nuclear payload, it was built to outrun any Soviet fighter jet. Despite its impressive performance matching that of the SR-71 Blackbird and its technological advancements, the project was discontinued in the 1960s due to shifting defence priorities and the rise of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.

This book offers a comprehensive history of the XB-70, enriched with full-colour artwork, detailed photographs, and rigorous analysis, capturing its brief yet impactful role during the Cold War era.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for history enthusiasts, military aviation fans, and readers interested in Cold War technology and strategic bombers, this book appeals to those looking for a richly illustrated and well-researched account of a unique aircraft from the 20th century.

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The story of one of the most magnificent aircraft of the Cold War--America's six-engined Mach 3 bomber prototype: the XB-70 Valkyrie.

The story of one of the most magnificent aircraft of the Cold War - America's six-engined Mach 3 bomber prototype: the XB-70 Valkyrie.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! 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 payloadβ€”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.

Series: X-Planes

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  • 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...
    Paperback
    $2699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
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    In 1935, the USAAC wanted to build a potential intercontinental bomber, a 'Guardian of the Hemisphere,' and granted Donald Douglas a contract to build the world's largest bomber. The groundwork for the intercontinental bomber had been laid in the previous two decades by courageous military and civilian pilots who risked their lives to set new distance and endurance records. After...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

IPMS / USA praises the book's accessible writing style and use of first-person accounts, making it engaging and immersive. Cybermodeler Online highlights the informative captions, sidebars, and the excellent photographic and illustrative content, recommending the book. Aeroscale remarks on the wealth of technical data and the impressive gallery of photographs and colour artwork that support the text.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472825032

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 March 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Osprey Publishing

Illustration: Illustrated throughout with around 50 photos and at least 5 pages of colour artwork

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Adam Tooby
  • Illustrated by Wiek Luijken

Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 8.0mm

Width: 184.0mm

Height: 246.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 80

About the Author

Peter E Davies is a specialist on Cold War American combat aircraft, having written or co-written more than 20 books on the subject, including the standard reference work on US Navy and Marine Corps Phantom II operations, Gray Ghosts. He is based in Bristol, UK.

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