North American XB-70 'Valkyrie'
Comments
14 7 May 2020, 20:52
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One of the advantages of not finishing a project TOO quickly. I started it in 1995, but didn't see the P.E. until 2012, Glad I waited!
10 May 2020, 05:37
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Last pic I posted - two Mirage 2000Cs and one Mirage 2000N resting on the 'back' of the XB-70. Gives you a real idea of its size!
2 coats of Alclad primer (it took half a 4 oz bottle to cover this monster!); Ready for the gloss white. Pity - I checked with the hobby shop; they don't sell gloss white by the gallon!
22 May 2020, 01:39
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Gloss white lacquer applied to underside - took a whole bottle, and JUST covered it. Will do topside tomorrow. A bit of a challenge, as I can only fit half of this bird in my (15"x30"😢 spray booth at one time!...
23 May 2020, 23:43
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Just about done. Uploaded a couple of snaps. The aircraft is essentially complete; I just have to make a stand for it. I was originally going to just use the landing gear wells, but I didn't like the look. Instead, I've drilled a 7/16" hole through the model's CoG and glued a 7/16" styrene tube (3/8" I.D.)in place. I'm getting a 3/8" solid acrylic rod which I'm going to mount on a spare piece of solid oak from a floor installation a few years back, and mount the nice gold plaque (that comes with the limited edition kit) on the oak base. Then I'll take the final set of pics, and put this 25-year old project to rest!
27 May 2020, 00:28
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Got my acrylic rod yesterday, so finished up a replacement base. Took the *official* photos; now I'll put it back in the display case and take one final photo. Then I'm on to its companion: the North American XF-108 Rapier. Those two'll look good side-by-side in the display case!
7 June 2020, 03:09
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Very impressive build of a very impressive aircraft. Congratulation. Is it a YF-108 Rapier in front of the Valkyrie?
28 January 2022, 07:28
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How have I missed this beauty! Fantastic work, Dave! And I love your cabinet with all these prototypes' models 😉
28 January 2022, 09:59
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Really great job, something to aspire to!! Looks fantastic in the cabinet.. I've always thought this aircraft looks much better displayed in flight configuration, really shows off the graceful curves and streamlining. Separate question: what's the aircraft underneath the Valkyrie in the last few pics? I can't quite place it.. it looks a bit like a Vigilante but I'm sure that's not it..
28 January 2022, 10:54
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I suppose this is it:
North American XF-108 Rapier | Album by kryten2q4b (1:72)
28 January 2022, 11:30
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Ahhh nice one Robert, bang on! Aircraft knowledge fail on my part!! Cheers
28 January 2022, 11:46
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Yes Robert, you are correct. The F-108 was originally intended as a Mach 3 escort fighter to the XB-70. it was cancelled after the engine program was cancelled. If it looks vaguely familiar, that's because most of the R&D from the program went into the development of the Mach 2 A-5 Vigilante. So, not a complete waste by North American. Model by Anigrand (1:72 cast resin)
28 January 2022, 16:48