This is the story of the Valkyrie XB70 nuclear strike bomber, big brother of the SR-71 Blackbird. Both first flew in 1964. Wake turbulence is explained and how this played a role in a tragic midair crash. The analysis is illustrated with 3D animations and presented in an easy to understand manner.
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Light • Borrtex - Light (Offic...
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|Paper plane wake vortex| thanks to Nick Schrader for permission to use • Wake Turbulence From a...
|Sea Fury smoke trails| thanks to Elliot Seguin for permission to use • Sanders Smoke Demo 10....
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The Valkyrie was the fastest and largest nuclear strike bomber ever made and could fly its whole mission at a staggering Mach 3. It still looks futuristic today even though it is almost 60 years old.
This was a remarkable design with many innovations which pushed the boundaries of aeronautics, propulsion, and materials. But its history was cut short and only 2 of these planes ever flew.
One of these was destroyed in a tragic mid-air crash in 1966 while flying in close formation.
This was a tragic freak accident which highlighted the dangers of wake turbulence.
Aircraft disturb the air they pass through. In the process they churn up these horizontal mini tornadoes.
Wake turbulence can be dangerous and violent. It can easily flip a smaller aircraft upside down.
The Valkyrie was a cutting-edge wonder from North American Aviation. Their previous designs included the World War 2 Mustang. The Korean War Sabre and the X15 rocket plane.
In 1957 a contract was awarded with the intent to build a fleet of these bombers.
The plan was to make it immune from Soviet defences by flying too fast and too high.
However Intercontinental ballistic missiles would deliver nuclear weapons faster, cheaper and without risking pilots and the Soviets developed missiles that could potentially shoot down the bomber.
The windshield and nose ramp pivoted. They were lowered so the pilot could see ahead at slow speed and raised when supersonic for streamlining.
Its wingtips folded in flight. They could be set to 25 and 65 degrees. When lowered they harnessed compression lift from the supersonic shock wave and improved directional stability when flying at Mach 3.
The formation flew for 40 minutes in a racetrack pattern over the California desert.
On this day, Al White was piloting the Valkyrie. For co-pilot Carl Cross this was his first flight in the bomber.
Jo Cotton was flying as observer in the passenger seat of the T-38.
The other aircraft involved in this crash was a F104 starfighter. It was flown by Joe Walker.
Air traffic control from Edwards Air force base reported a B58 on a speed run at much higher altitude and posing no hazard. This radio call came 20 Seconds before the collision.
Joe Walker may have looked up to locate the aircraft and drifted into the wake of the bomber while momentarily distracted.
His tail hit the wing tip and he pitched up. The inside wing entered the dirty air of the vortex. It lost lift from stalling in the steep angle of the airflow. The stalled wing dropped from the reduced lift which flipped the fighter upside down. As it slid across the top of the bomber it sheared off most of the fins. The huge craft flew on straight for 15 to 20 seconds but then fell into a snap roll and lost part of its left wing. It tumbled and rolled into a flat spin while spewing fuel.
Al White ejected from the bomber. It remains a mystery why the co-pilot did not use his ejection capsule.
The pilots had specially designed ejection capsules with clamshell doors for protection from the Mach 3 air blast. Before closing the doors, the pilot had to retract into the capsule and pull in his feet.
Carl Cross went down with the huge craft which crashed in the California desert north of Barstow.
It seems inconceivable that Jo Walker with his exceptional skill and experience would collide in mid-air like this.
The length of the precision formation flying may have been a factor. This required 40 minutes of unbroken focused concentration.
Music is by Borrtex.
We are Saved • Borrtex - We Are Saved
Light • Borrtex - Light (Offic...
Sea Fury smoke trails. Thanks to Elliot Seguin • Sanders Smoke Demo 10....
Paper plane wake. Thanks to Nick Schrader • Wake Turbulence From a...
Delta wing primary vortices • Video