The x-15? and the XB 70 Valkyrie?

Question

What are your thoughts on these 2 fast aircrafts. I know that the X 15 was way faster but they were both impresive.

Answer 1

Also the X-15 was a small aircraft, the size of a fighter, and the XB-70 was a huge one the size of or larger than a Concorde, with a full crew of 6.

Two XB-70 were built, one destroyed in a collision with an accompanying F-104 (a beautiful small fighter). All 6+1 men died and the XB-70 project too.

Answer 2

The X-15 is impressive by the sheer numbers.  354,000 feet!  4,519mph!

The XB-70 has the highest lift to drag ratio of any manned aircraft ever made.  It was larger than a B-52 but could cruise at Mach 3 at over 70,000 feet.  It was designed to be mass produced and had they decided to do so it would have cost far less per plane than the SR-71.  It didn't have leaky fuel tanks or require Buick engines to start it up like the SR-71 either.  Plus I think it is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made.

Answer 3

The X-15 was a special purpose plane, and isn't something you could really just "fly".  It requires a setup akin to a moon shot.

The XB-70 was an amazing plane.  The Foxbat was really designed to counter it.  It flew so high that they had to supplement oxygen to the engine.  It flew so high that technically it was (barely) in space.  It was, however, hugely expensive - cost prohibative.  The B-58 Hustler was an amazing plane too, but was just too darn expensive to maintain.

Answer 4

Who would want to call an air craft a "Valkyrie"? Valkyries were young maidens that took warriors slain in battle on that last ride to Valhalla.

Answer 5

Both craft were built to conduct experiments with the XB-70 the most likely to be mass produced. They were both ground breakers in design and technology but impracticable for everyday use or manufacture.