North American XB-70 Valkyrie - Model Kit & Stand

The Aircraft

The XB-70 Valkyrie was an experimental supersonic bomber developed by North American Aviation in the early 1960s for the United States Air Force. This remarkable aircraft was conceived during the Cold War, with the primary objective of delivering nuclear weapons deep into Soviet territory at unprecedented speeds and altitudes.

The XB-70's design was revolutionary, featuring a sleek, delta-wing configuration and six powerful turbojet engines, enabling it to cruise at Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) and at altitudes of 70,000 feet. Its large, tapered wings were designed to maximize lift and reduce drag, while its unique folding wingtips enhanced stability and control at high speeds.

Despite its innovative design and impressive capabilities, the XB-70 program faced numerous challenges. Advancements in surface-to-air missile technology diminished the need for high-speed bombers, and the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) offered a more cost-effective and reliable means of delivering nuclear payloads. As a result, only two prototypes were built, and the program was eventually canceled in 1969.

Today, the XB-70 Valkyrie stands as a symbol of aerospace innovation and ambition. One of the prototypes is preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, serving as a testament to this extraordinary chapter in aviation history.

The Model

Glue is recommended

This was an incredibly fun kit to build! It features drooping wings, moving elevons and flaps on the canards. I did my research and yes, the rudders really do move like that. Would love to find more information on the reasoning behind having a nearly 45-degree hinge. It features removable landing gear. Again, these tricycle gear aircraft are all but impossible to balance to sit right on their gear without adding unnecessary material. My whole philosophy behind this is reducing waste. Maybe you can stuff it with purge material. Ha!

For the display stand you may want to use variable layer height to ensure smooth edges.

At this scale the main landing gear is pretty small. May want to omit if you have issues printing tiny things. On my A1 it automatically put a raft around the engine nozzles but left the tires without. I've printed this several times (ugh) and have not had any issues with things coming off the plate. Using generic Bambu PLA Basic filaments using default temps. I do print my models outside/inside order now which helps tremendously with consistent clearance. You'll notice the two tires for the nose wheel have pegs and fit into the nose gear strut. All the others have holes and fit into the 4-wheel trucks.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

**P.S. The images of the model show the “Six Pack” of engines with some uneven spacing. The 3D models have been fixed, I just didn't have the time to print up a whole other model since this one is glued together.