Specialty Press

Valkyrie

North American's Mach 3 Superbomber

by Dennis R. Jenkins & Tony R. Landis

Reviewed By Phil Peterson, #8739

MSRP: $39.95 USD

When I received this book I took a quick look through it (like I always do) and was very impressed with the number of pictures and drawings included (most of which I have never seen before).  This alone will supply any modeler with more than enough detail to complete the old AMT kit of the XB-70 (1/72^nd scale).  There is also a lot of information on the chase planes used in the program (B-58’s), the search for an atomic powered bomber, and the proposed Mach 3 fighter designs (XF-103 & XF-108).

Reading the book shows that the authors have delved deeply to gather the data.  An engineer will be right at home reading much of the information in the chapters.  This was a little to in depth for me (I am not really interested that the “vertical stabilizers had a leading edge sweep of 51.76 degrees and 233.96 square feet of area.”) but that is just me. 

I was much more interested in the Historical aspects of the story.  Chapter 6 details the flight program of both prototypes through to the retirement of A/V1 (Air Vehicle 1) at the Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson AFB.  This includes many of the mishaps that befell the planes and includes a lot of information regarding the mid-air collision that killed two members of the test program and destroyed the second prototype.  This is probably one of the most recognized stories about the Valkyrie and I found out how little I actually knew about this.  There are 28 photos showing the whole sequence.

Besides the 8 Chapters, there are 7 Appendix’s.  One details all 129 flights of the 2 planes.  Another shows all of the pilots and another gives a pilot’s perspective supplied by Al White, the chief Test Pilot for the program.

If you have the kit, you will like this book.  If you like historical data about airplanes, you will like this book.  If you are an aeronautical engineer, you will love this book.

The book may be ordered by calling 1-800-895-4585 or by visiting www.specialtypress.com.  A $4.95 shipping and handling fee is added to each order.  When you order tell them you read about from IPMS/USA.

I would like to thank Specialty Press for the review copy.

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