During 30 years of service with
NASA the XB-70 was used extensively in many roles. Beginning as a vehicle
investigating the performance characteristics of high-speed flight by
large aircraft, it contributed valuable information that proved critical
to the eventual success of the first American SST, the Boeing Stratostar.
Following that it became the first aircraft to launch a satellite when the
McDonnell Douglas Loki streaked from its back and placed a military
communications system into orbit. In a move which some saw as helping the
competition, it spent time as a chase aircraft for the first three flights
of the European HOTOL project, for which the crew were knighted by Queen
Elizabeth II.
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It was decided that the airframe would be
retired in 1996, but sentimentality kept it flying for one more year, when
it acted as an ambassador for the 50th anniversary of the United States
Air Force. For this it was painted in pre-war colors of blue and
yellow, making it a striking subject at airshows around the world.
Dave
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