Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ira that is an awesome shot. I confess that I always thought of this aircraft as a little too retro futuristic looking. Now that B58, I thought was a beast to be respected. I would very much like to see any more pics you have. I'm sure that they would be of interest to many. I spent a lot of time around F111s especially the crew module and weapons systems. You very likely know how unique the egress systems were on the B58, F111 and some prototype B1's. Cheers Hoppy -----Original Message----- Subject: [Leica] IMG: Was D-21; Is XB-70 On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:02:19 -0400, Lawrence Zeitlin _lrzeitlin@optonline.net_ (mailto:lrzeitlin@optonline.net) wrote: "After you get done Googling the D-21, look up the B-70 to see a really futuristic large airplane. Built largely of stainless steel, almost as long as a football field, and looking like something out of a science fiction movie, it could cruise at Mach 3 for 5000 miles. Aircraft aficionados call it the "most beautiful airplane ever made." I have a bit of nostalgia connected with the B-70. I designed the CCM system for it nearly 50 years ago. It was obsoleted, along with the B-58, by ICBMs. The only remaining B-70 is in the Airforce Museum at Wright-Dayton." Hi Larry, Thank you for the kind words. The XB-70A Valkyrie has always been a favorite of mine, ever since I saw films of it in its prime. There's still a voice in the back of my mind that says the real reason the program was canceled was that it couldn't survive a mid-air collision with an F-104! This picture was taken in May 1977, when it was displayed outside at the entrance to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patt. It has since moved indoors, where it is not nearly as accessible for photographers. _http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Ira+Silverman/Aircraft/North+American+XB-70A +-+May_+1977.jpg.html_ (http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Ira+Silverman/Aircraft/North+American+XB-70A+-+May_+1977.jpg.html) Tech Stuff: M4, 35mm 'cron, Kodacolor 64 If there's interest, I have additional transparencies that I can scan this weekend. Comments welcomed and appreciated. Best Regards, Ira Silverman Irvine, CA ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information