NORTH AMERICAN XB-70

Credit: Photo by Richard Marmo

This close-up shot of the XB-70 main landing gear shows the silver sidewalls of the tires to good advantage.  The spots and streaks on the tires seem to substantiate the claim that the tires were both impregnated and painted with heat resistant material.   It's also likely that the treads were silver as well when they were new, but turned dark after a few landings. 

If you look between the tires, you will see a small wheel/tire, very similar to an idler wheel on armored vehicles.  I had no idea initially what it's purpose was, but have learned that it was a reference wheel for the braking system.

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