Full Review with Paul Ainsworth
The story
The Valkyrie is an aircraft that’s held my fascination for a long time. A truly unique and futuristic design with performance way ahead of its time.
(Photo: Viewed from the front the #1 XB-70A (62-0001) is shown climbing out during take-off on 17 August 1965. Most flights were scheduled during the morning hours to take advantage of the cooler ambient air temperatures for improved propulsion efficiencies. The wing tips are extended straight out to provide a maximum lifting wing surface. The XB-70A, capable of flying three times the speed of sound, was the world’s largest experimental aircraft in the 1960s. Two XB-70A aircraft were built. Ship #1 was flown by NASA in a high speed flight research program. Courtesy NASA)
There are plenty of references for this legend on the internet and in book form.
The Italeri kit is quite infamous in terms of its quality. The parts are the original AMT/ERTL vintage and their level of fit and sheer size is off-putting to many. That said, there’s a mass of plastic for a price of around £50GBP and Italeri must’ve taken sympathy for the modeller by providing excellent Cartograf decals which give the option for both ‘air vehicles’ as they were known.
The plan and build
The ultimate plan will be to hopefully get this project successfully across the finishing line. There are some big challenges to overcome along the journey but it’s one I’m looking forward to taking. The build itself will be totally ‘Out Of Box’ including the use of the excellent kit decals. The plastic kit pitot probe will be replaced with a piece of nickel/silver wire.
Tim Haynes says
Hi Paul,
Your XB-70 is coming along very nicely. Lovely paint job so far..
Paul Ainsworth says
Hello and thank you so much,Tim.She’s getting there now.😉👍
Jonathan Burns says
That’s an excellent article and the model is looking beautiful.
I built this kit. ( the AMT version) a couple of decades ago for Tamiya model magazine and it was a real fight, with very difficult challenges in overcoming fit problems, so I’m very impressed with the superb finish you’ve achieved – many congratulations!
Paul Ainsworth says
Hello,Jonathan – Thank you so much.That’s very kind of you to say.
You obviously know first hand the challenges of the kit.
My congratulations to you for your build and its appearance in that respected magazine.
I don’t think my build is anywhere near the standard required for that but more than appreciate being able to feature my builds here in ‘SMN’.
The final update and photo gallery of the completed model are with Geoff for adding to this feature in due course.😉👍
Tim Haynes says
Great work Paul. The approach you took with the preparation certainly paid off in the end result.
Paul Ainsworth says
“Hello,Tim” – Thank you so much. As you know, preparation is the key with any project and with this kit it’s on a big scale.
I think that’s an off putting factor that goes against this kit equally as much as its physical size.
I can understand and appreciate that but think it’s a shame because with a little thought and input the reward is a model that does justice to this iconic and unique aircraft.😉👍
Rob Ruscoe says
A superb result that shows up your modelling skills. I haven’t built this kit but know people who have and also some that have tried and failed. It just shows that patience and preparation are vital to produce something special. Well done Paul, I hope you are going to enter this in a competition!
Paul Ainsworth says
“Hello,Rob” – Thank you so much.
Yes the kit’s a big challenge and a marathon build in every respect.
Prior to ‘SMN’ and all I’ve learned since I would’ve run a mile from attempting a kit like this.
It’s given me confidence to attempt new aspects of the hobby including ‘weathering’,etc and has increased my enjoyment of the hobby in so many ways.😉👍