As part of a two and a half week tour of the West Coast and taking in the Golden Air Tattoo, Geoff (st24) arranged some excellent base tours, perhaps the pick of which was a ramp tour of Edwards Air Force Base, home of the USAF Test Pilots School operating its red and white (at that time) school of aircraft, the test and research side of testing types destined for and in USAF service, NASA Dryden and at the time the two SR-71 Blackbirds temporarily brought back into USAF service to cover reconnaissance shortfalls. Our very accommodating guide John took us around the USAF sections including some time alongside the runway, the stored exhibits for the forthcoming museum and even tried NASA, who allowed us a few bits but not the F-16XLs John was hoping to show us.
Kicking off with some white top 135s and 707s. Speckled Trout C-135C was being towed back to its hangar.
img079 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img080 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Support NKC-135E Stratotanker
img082 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The ARIA fleet, three EC-135E aircraft and three EC-18B/D, the latter are Boeing 707 conversions recognisable by their numerous windows.
img076 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img077 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img078 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img081 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img089 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img103 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Continuing the white topped theme NC-141A Starlifter
img109 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The YC-17A Globemaster III prototype wearing the lizard scheme
img107 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Staying big B-52H Stratofortress with cruise missiles
img101 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Two NC-130H Hercules, one an ex DC-130A drone carrier, the other formerly the EC-130V AEW conversion
img105 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img106 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
On the visitors ramp, the last USAF T-33, operated by the Calspan Flight Research Centre, the lovely NT-33A Silver Star
img116 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Based at Beale AFB, the 9th RW had two SR-71As back on the books having been withdrawn a few years earlier, operated from Edwards alongside the NASA fleet for presumed ease, we were fortunate to see one taxi out (if only we knew it was on its way), John took us down to the runway side for its take off and we were about to cross the runway when it came back, sadly the sun is the wrong side both times, but still an unforgettable experience I felt very privileged to enjoy.
img110 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img111 (2) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img112 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img113 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img114 (3) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img101 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Two NC-130H Hercules, one an ex DC-130A drone carrier, the other formerly the EC-130V AEW conversion
img105 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img106 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
On the visitors ramp, the last USAF T-33, operated by the Calspan Flight Research Centre, the lovely NT-33A Silver Star
img116 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Based at Beale AFB, the 9th RW had two SR-71As back on the books having been withdrawn a few years earlier, operated from Edwards alongside the NASA fleet for presumed ease, we were fortunate to see one taxi out (if only we knew it was on its way), John took us down to the runway side for its take off and we were about to cross the runway when it came back, sadly the sun is the wrong side both times, but still an unforgettable experience I felt very privileged to enjoy.
img110 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img111 (2) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img112 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img113 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img114 (3) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Sadly all the red and whites have gone now, but at the time F-16s, a few F-15s and C-23s were still wearing the colours and the T-38s and T-39s looked neat in the all white schemes.
img092 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img094 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img093 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img095 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img108 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img097 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img098 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img099 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Thumbs up if you like T-38s
img091 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Shuttle trainer
img088 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img087 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img102 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img104 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img090 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Love these
img085 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img084 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img092 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img094 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img093 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img095 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img108 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img097 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img098 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img099 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Thumbs up if you like T-38s
img091 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Shuttle trainer
img088 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img087 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img102 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img104 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img090 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Love these
img085 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img084 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Visiting Nellis Eagle
img115 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
NASA Hornets
img120 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img118 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Balls 8 now retired and replaced by an H in fleet colours
img117 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
X-31 in the hangar, was surprised and pleased to see this
img121 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Left parked next to the F-15 revetments the loser in the ATF competition the YF-23 Gray Ghost, totally bizarre looking. We saw the YF-22 just over a week later at Nellis.
img122 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Next time in the second part the preserved museum aircraft with plenty more red and whites, a taster with this NC-141A Starlifter sporting an F-15 Eagle nose.
img123 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img115 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
NASA Hornets
img120 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img118 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Balls 8 now retired and replaced by an H in fleet colours
img117 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
X-31 in the hangar, was surprised and pleased to see this
img121 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Left parked next to the F-15 revetments the loser in the ATF competition the YF-23 Gray Ghost, totally bizarre looking. We saw the YF-22 just over a week later at Nellis.
img122 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Next time in the second part the preserved museum aircraft with plenty more red and whites, a taster with this NC-141A Starlifter sporting an F-15 Eagle nose.
img123 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Looks like a fantastic tour, really interesting set and commentary. I never realised the YF-23 was so weird looking!
Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
That must have been a fantastic trip. Great set
Andy
Andy
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Amazing set of airframes.
Scott
Canon EOS7D, with 30D Back-up
Canon 100-400MM IS, 70-200MM plus some wide-angle/macro stuff
Canon EOS7D, with 30D Back-up
Canon 100-400MM IS, 70-200MM plus some wide-angle/macro stuff
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Great series of pictures. Those NASA Hornets were very nice indeed.
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
It was indeed a really good tour, I'm a big fan of test and research types so it was always destined to be among the highlights especially under the California blue skies. We were also taken to the store area where several types were gathered ready for the forthcoming museum collection being assembled. Among the highlights the previously shown Eagle nosed NC-141A and this C-135A with RC type nose and underfuselage sensors used in the stealth emission tests for the B-2 Spirit.
img131 (2) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The afterburning YA-7F version of the Corsair which lost out to the F-16 in replacing A-7s in the ANG units
img130 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Another aircraft that was destined for the USAF as the T-37 replacement until costs killed it off, the T-46 Eaglet
img135 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The only two seat A-10 built, the YA-10B was later marketed as the A-10N/AW night/adverse weather attack aircraft.
img134 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The F-111AFTI with enlarged mission wing which could subtly change aerofoil shape in flight
img137 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Another F-111A in one of the parks as you approach the main gate
img136 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img139 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Calspan A-26 Invader
img138 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Six red and whites included three different Phantom variants, the NA-37B Dragonfly, a nice Beaver and the Digitac fly by light NA-7D Corsair II
img124 (2) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img125 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img132 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img129 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img128 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img133 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
A couple of NASA relics still to scan
img131 (2) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The afterburning YA-7F version of the Corsair which lost out to the F-16 in replacing A-7s in the ANG units
img130 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Another aircraft that was destined for the USAF as the T-37 replacement until costs killed it off, the T-46 Eaglet
img135 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The only two seat A-10 built, the YA-10B was later marketed as the A-10N/AW night/adverse weather attack aircraft.
img134 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
The F-111AFTI with enlarged mission wing which could subtly change aerofoil shape in flight
img137 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Another F-111A in one of the parks as you approach the main gate
img136 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img139 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Calspan A-26 Invader
img138 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
Six red and whites included three different Phantom variants, the NA-37B Dragonfly, a nice Beaver and the Digitac fly by light NA-7D Corsair II
img124 (2) by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img125 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img132 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img129 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img128 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img133 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
A couple of NASA relics still to scan
Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Great photo's and funnily enough yesterday I started to scan my slides from my west coast tour in April 1997 that took in the 50th Anniversary Airshow at Nellis AFB....
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
Cheers all for the nice comments. My scanner will be heading to Nellis for the Golden Tattoo too in a little while, as promised to finish the base tour, three ex NASA airframes kicking around including a Jetstar with a pylon to mount various fan bladed turbines amongst its work.
img333 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img334 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img335 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img333 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img334 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
img335 by Paul Downes, on Flickr
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Re: Edwards Air Force Base April 1997 - Blackbird, White Tops and Test Pilots
How have I never seen this thread?!
Keep 'em coming!
Keep 'em coming!
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