1966 Press Photo F-104 chase plane goes down in flames over Mojave Desert

A giant XB70A research bomber goes down in flames after a June 8 collision with an F104 chase plane over the Mojave Desert near Barstow, California. The pilot of the chase plane and the copilot of the bomber were killed in the crash. The Department of Defense released this photo today in Washington. after it rammed into tail section of the giant XB-70A. The huge bomber spins in flames, right photo, as it heads earthward. The Air Force acknowledged that the tight formation was to allow pictured to be taken by a General Electric photographer flying a civilian jet. Airplanes.

Photo is dated 1966.

Photo measures 7.75 x 10.25 inches.