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Flight Of The Valkyries, pt 3 - XB-70 27.jpg (1/1)
In article ,
John Szalay wrote: = = AND in Chuck Yeager's opinion: = an accident that should not have happened. = the F-104 driver was NOT a good enough formation pilot to be = in that formation. = = "Yeager" = page 179 A reasonable description of the accident can be found he http://www.thexhunters.com/xpeditions/xb-70a_accident.html The wikipedia entry on the XB-70 gives some interesting additional detail on possible reasons for the crash: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XB-70_Valkyrie Though this was an experimental program managed by North American, the United States Air Force conducted its own accident investigation. The Air Force Summary Accident Report[17] found that, given the position of the F-104 relative to the XB-70, the F-104 pilot would not have been able to see the XB-70's wing, except via looking back over his left shoulder. This position would not have been comfortable for extended periods of time. The Accident Report concluded that Walker, piloting the F-104, likely maintained his position by looking at the fuselage of the XB-70, forward of his position. The Report estimated that the F-104 was 70 ft to the side of, and 10 feet below, the fuselage of the XB-70. In addition, the Report found that from that position, there would be no suitable alignment points to maintain a precise position relative to the Valkyrie. Given this supporting evidence, the Report concluded that due to the unavailability of appropriate sight cues, Walker was unable to properly perceive his motion relative to the Valkyrie, leading to his aircraft drifting into contact with the XB-70's wing. Excellent summary of the entire XB-70 program he http://www.afa.org/magazine/june2006/0606valkyrie.asp There is now a huge amount of information about this aircraft on the web and some of it presents more than just speculation or opinion. OIV -- Orlando Quattro -- oquattro at magma dot ca The Starving Artist's Garratt |
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Flight Of The Valkyries, pt 3 - XB-70 27.jpg (1/1)
"John Szalay" wrote in message 42... "Canuck" wrote in : "Mitchell Holman" wrote in message n it's just before accident. Red vertical stabilizer is Joe Walker's F-104 Why did the flight require "chase planes" - and five of them, at that............ It didn't. It was a promotional phot op for GE. They provided engines for all of the aircraft in the formation as I recall. I read about this a while back so my memory may be faulty. Nick AND in Chuck Yeager's opinion: an accident that should not have happened. the F-104 driver was NOT a good enough formation pilot to be in that formation. "Yeager" page 179 Yep. I read that too quite a while ago. For those of you who haven't read either one of Yeager's books, do yourself a favour and get them. They are well worth reading and quite entertaining even if you aren't an aviation buff. While I'm at it, I'd also recommend Tom Wolfe's book "The Right Stuff" as well as the movie by the same name which is based on the book. Nick |
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Flight Of The Valkyries, pt 3 - XB-70 27.jpg (1/1)
On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:55:57 -0500, John Szalay
wrote: "Canuck" wrote in : "Mitchell Holman" wrote in message n it's just before accident. Red vertical stabilizer is Joe Walker's F-104 Why did the flight require "chase planes" - and five of them, at that............ It didn't. It was a promotional phot op for GE. They provided engines for all of the aircraft in the formation as I recall. I read about this a while back so my memory may be faulty. Nick AND in Chuck Yeager's opinion: an accident that should not have happened. the F-104 driver was NOT a good enough formation pilot to be in that formation. "Yeager" page 179 I can remember as a yoot seeing the photos of the incident in Life magazine. Very dramatic and rather troubling to my young senses. Bob ^,,^ |
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Flight Of The Valkyries, pt 3 - XB-70 27.jpg (1/1)
Yep. I read that too quite a while ago. For those of you who haven't read either one of Yeager's books, do yourself a favour and get them. They are well worth reading and quite entertaining even if you aren't an aviation buff. While I'm at it, I'd also recommend Tom Wolfe's book "The Right Stuff" as well as the movie by the same name which is based on the book. While we're on the subject of books and the XB-70, might I recommend Valkyrie: North American's Mach Three Superbomber by Dennis R. Jenkins and Tony R. Landis, published by Specialty Press. A terrific book that covers everything you'd ever want to know about the XB-70 program. Filled with hundreds of photos, line drawings, schematics, etc. It starts with the NB-36H "nuclear bomber", moving through the attempted developement of the XF-103 and XF-108 Mach 3 fighters to the XB-70 program itself, beginning to end. Included is the complete accident investigation report discussed here. A great book, especially if you like seeing some of the really "out there" design concepts that litter aviation history in the 50s and early 60s. I include a link to the book at Amazon, but I imagine any decent bookstore could get a copy (mine came from a local Borders). http://www.amazon.com/Valkyrie-North...4232631&sr=1-3 Frogdog has left the building. |
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Flight Of The Valkyries, pt 3 - XB-70 27.jpg (1/1)
Frogdog a écrit :
While we're on the subject of books and the XB-70, might I recommend Valkyrie: North American's Mach Three Superbomber by Dennis R. Jenkins and Tony R. Landis, published by Specialty Press. A terrific book that covers everything you'd ever want to know about the XB-70 program. Filled with hundreds of photos, line drawings, schematics, etc. It starts with the NB-36H "nuclear bomber", moving through the attempted developement of the XF-103 and XF-108 Mach 3 fighters to the XB-70 program itself, beginning to end. Included is the complete accident investigation report discussed here. A great book, especially if you like seeing some of the really "out there" design concepts that litter aviation history in the 50s and early 60s. I include a link to the book at Amazon, but I imagine any decent bookstore could get a copy (mine came from a local Borders). http://www.amazon.com/Valkyrie-North...4232631&sr=1-3 See my message 14/10/08 15:37 Flight Of The Valkyries - 001index.jpg (0/1) :-) -- Patrick R7 |
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