Of the many futuristic military aircraft concepts created in the 1950s the North American XB-70 still stands out as the most awe-inspiring. With its huge white partially-folding delta wing its fuselage resembling a striking cobra and its extraordinary performance it was one of the foremost technological achievements of the 20th Century. A strategic bomber built to outrun any Soviet fighter jet it could reach Mach 3 with a full nuclear payload - as fast as the legendary SR-71 Blackbird but more than three times the size. However its role as a nuclear bomber was limited after the introduction of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and defence cuts eventually led to the project being scrapped in the mid-1960s. The Valkyrie had a brief costly decade of life but it proved the continuing value of developing manned bombers. However almost half a century after the XB-70 its predecessor the B-52 continues in service. Using full colour artwork and rigorous analysis this is the complete story of the ultimate US Cold War military X-plane. . Language: English