XB-70 Valkyrie Honeycomb Laminate Skin Relic Display 8.5x11

A very rare opportunity to own and display a piece of this unique and historically important piece of aviation history, paired with Ron Cole's artwork of this aircraft, its history, and provenance. 

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was the fastest and most advanced strategic bomber ever built. By the time it took to the skies in 1964, however, the entire strategic bomber concept had been rendered obsolete by the deployment of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). Nevertheless, two XB-70s entered service as advanced test aircraft.

The top speed of the XB-70 (Mach 3+) demanded entirely new materials and construction technologies, such as the so-called ‘honeycomb’ steel and titanium laminate skin; light weight, high strength, and able to sustain and dissipate the high temperatures of Mach 3 flight that would melt aluminum.

On June 8th, 1966, the second-built XB-70 (AV-2), was participating in a low-speed photo shoot with a variety of other aircraft, one of which collided with the XB-70, shearing off the latter’s vertical stabilizers. AV-2 entered a flat spin and tragically crashed into the desert floor.

This rare piece of honeycomb laminate skin from AV-2 was discovered among other components recovered from the crash site.  

The XB-70 steel skin relic is 1x1.4-inches and retains almost all of its original white paint. The reverse still reveals the weld impression of the honeycomb structure that was so unique to the XB-70 program at the time (the reverse of the relic is shown in the image (ABOVE/LEFT). 

 Each display signed & numbered by the artist - no more than 50.