Brand:ellayan bird(New in box)
Model name:North American Aviation XB-70A Valkyrie( NASA 20001)
Application: Collection, Souvenir Gift, Home Office Decoration,Educational,Model
Age Range: > 14 years old
Type: Static finished model
Material: Zinc alloy+plastic
Scale: 1:200
Size: approx 30cm(L)*16cm(W)/11.8inch(L)*6.3inch(W)
Weight:600g
Package:Aircraft model +  Display stand+Original box



Introduction to the NASA XB-70A Valkyrie (Air Vehicle 2, No. 20001)

The aircraft is the North American Aviation XB-70A Valkyrie, specifically Air Vehicle 2 (AV-2), bearing the tail number 20001.

While originally designed as a prototype for a high-altitude, Mach 3 strategic nuclear bomber for the U.S. Air Force, the story of this specific aircraft is deeply tied to aeronautical research rather than military deployment.

Key Facts about this specific aircraft:

  • From Bomber to Research Asset: By the time this photo was taken, the U.S. Air Force had canceled the B-70 bomber program due to the rise of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Rather than scrapping the two prototypes, the Air Force and NASA entered a joint research program. This is why you see the prominent NASA logo on the tail.

  • The "20001" Registration: This is NASA's official tail number for the aircraft. The first XB-70 (AV-1, tail number 20000) was destroyed in a mid-air collision with an F-104 fighter jet in June 1966. AV-2 (20001) survived that crash (it was the one that got clipped by the F-104) and was repaired to continue flying.

  • Its Research Mission: From 1967 to 1969, NASA used this aircraft to conduct high-speed flight research, gathering vital data on aerodynamic heating, structural dynamics, and sonic boom effects. This data was crucial for the development of the American Supersonic Transport (SST) program.

  • A Supersonic Marvel: This aircraft is one of the largest and fastest aircraft ever built. It could fly at Mach 3 (over 2,000 mph) at 70,000 feet. To withstand the extreme heat generated by air friction at that speed, the leading edges of the wings and the nose were made of stainless steel honeycomb panels, which could glow red-hot during flight.

  • Distinctive Features: In the photo, you can clearly see the six massive General Electric YJ93 turbojet engines clustered at the rear. The wings are also drooped downward; during supersonic flight, the wingtips could be folded down by 65 degrees to improve stability and reduce drag.

The End of the Line:
After the SST program lost funding, AV-2 (20001) made its final flight on February 4, 1969. It was officially retired and flown to the U.S. Air Force National Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where it remains on permanent public display today—still proudly wearing its NASA paint scheme and the number 20001.