posted 08-07-2020 12:31 AM               

The model has been signed by three of the four aircraft commanders who conducted flight test research on the two XB-70 aircraft, i.e.: Colonel Joe Cotton (twice), Lt. Colonel Fitz Fulton and Al White. Ironically, the model is missing the autograph of the surviving commander, Mr. Don Mallick.

I am fortunate to own a genuine "Topping Models" 1/140 scale model of the XB-70 which I have used for comparison purposes with this one.

Upon examination, whilst the two models are essentially the same in scale and appearance, there are a number of mysterious differences that I am unable to understand:

1. There is no raised stamp logo "TOPPING. INC. ELYRIA, OH." on the underside of the starboard wing, nor is there evidence of the logo being removed;

2. The base stand is not engraved "NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION INC. XB-70" in silver. If you look very carefully however, you can see the N.A.A. logo (triangular shape), and the etching of "NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION INC. F3J". I have done some research and this aircraft is a military version of the North American Sabreliner (USN version which became the T-39D in 1962. The mystery is, I am not aware that Topping/Precise Models ever produced such a model!;

3. Decals missing or repositioned. All underside decals are missing (but you can see where they were once located), the rear forward window decals and the forward entry decals are missing. More mysteriously is the fact that the topside wing decals have been repositioned rearwards. In fact, one of the Joe Cotton autographs is located over the position where one of them should be.