Aeroplane Aviation Archive — Issue 33 The World’s Fastest Aircraft

(Jacob Rumans) #1

(^84) UNITED STATES
The XB-70A number 1 (62-0001) made its
first flight from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force
Base, CA, on 21 September 1964. Although
intended to cruise at Mach 3, the first XB-70 was
found to have poor directional stability above
Mach 2.5, and only made a single flight above
Mach 3. Subsequently, the second XB-70A
(62-0207) was built with an added 5 degrees
of dihedral on the wings. This aircraft made
its first flight on 17 July 1965. The changes
resulted in much better handling, and the
second XB-70 achieved Mach 3 for the first time
on 3 January 1966. At the same time, a joint
agreement was signed between NASA and the
Air Force to use the second XB-70A prototype
for high-speed research flights in support of
the SST programme. Tragically these plans
Right: The XB-70A (62-0001) in a level cruise
flight mode at a relative high altitude judging
from the darkness of the sky. The wingtips were
folded down in supersonic flight to increase
aerodynamic efficiency and stability.
Below: The XB-70 cockpit, which shows the
complexity of this mid-1960s research aircraft.
Visible at centre are the six throttles for the
XB-70’s jet engines. The XB-70 had a movable
windshield and ramp that were raised during
supersonic flight to reduce drag. When the pilot
was ready to land, he lowered the assembly to
give both him and his co-pilot a clearer view of
the runway.

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