The link below shows a ‘slow motion’ sequence of that terrible event. Wait for the sequence to happen.
The bomber lost a fin and fell backward to its doom. The negative G prevented at least one crew member getting out.
I remember seeing some of these pics in Life Magazine soon after it happened.
It seems the pilot of the fighter that collided with her ejected successfully, because you can just see him.
A sad end to a great project.
http://area51specialprojects.com/xb-70_crash_sequence.html
Bri
By: ZRX61 - 16th April 2009 at 04:55
Local school is named after Joe. Just happens to be on the same street I live on:
http://www.westside.k12.ca.us/jw/
From the school website:
The crash sites of the XB70 & the F104 are well known around here.
By: pagen01 - 15th April 2009 at 16:25
A T-28 might have struggled with the speed and height of that formation!:D
By: J Boyle - 15th April 2009 at 14:42
the main purpose of this flight was a PR excercise fo GE engines. The formation consisted of the XB-70, F-104, F-4, T-28 and a photoship Learjet.
Minor correction: T-38, not 28. T-38 has GE engines, the piston T-28, did not.
The fate of the B-70 program was already sealed, the Kennedy administration had it in its crosshairs since day one.
In June of 1964, (during the Johnson administration), the number of test ac was cut from 3 to 2 and it was decided to abandon the development of the bomber.
By: pagen01 - 15th April 2009 at 11:29
Joseph Walker was the pilot killed in the F-104 when it was destabilised by the XB-70 wing votices, and subsequently rolled and flew through the port fin & rudder assembly of the 70. This caused the XB-70 to lose control, Carl Cross was killed, though Al White did manage to eject (escape pods, not seats) at very low level.
Joseph Walker was a hugely regarded USAF/NASA test pilot and held many flying distinctions, mainly associated with the X-15, and pioneering trials with Lunar lander prototype.
Major Carl Cross was a highly regarded USAF pilot and was fairly new as a test pilot.
Al White was a North American test pilot, and was Cheif Test Pilot at the time of Valkerie crash
The whole accident was seen as a huge loss, especially as the main purpose of this flight was a PR excercise fo GE engines. The formation consisted of the XB-70, F-104, F-4, T-28 and a photoship Learjet.
An official comment at Washington read, “The loss of these men, and an aircraft in which more than $500 million has been invested, while accommodating the public relations department of a private company, is indefensible.”
By: MSW - 15th April 2009 at 10:51
Fascinating link although the text says the F 104 pilot was killed when his aircraft collided with the XB 70.
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April 15, 2009 at 10:21 am