Edwards AFB, California

1959, 1960 and 1961: Open House Displays

My father, Richard Lockett, attended the Edwards Air Force Base Open House in 1959, 1960, and 1961. The North American X-15 rocket planes were making their initial public appearances. Bare metal and Day-Glo was featured on many of the airplanes.

May 19, 1970: Open House Display

I attended the Edwards Air Force Base Open House with my father, Richard Lockett, on May 19, 1970. The displays featured the Martin Marietta X-24A lifting body, the Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress that had launched the X-15s, a Lockheed YF-12A Blckbird, a General Dynamics F-111A, a Bell AH-1G Cobra, and a Lockheed C-5A Galaxy. Flying demonstratinos included a Lockheed C-130E Hercules cargo drop, a Boeing B-52C Stratofortress, a Lockheed YF-12A Blckbird, a Lockheed U-2 and a Lockheed C-5A Galaxy.

May 17, 1972: Open House Display

I attended the Edwards Air Force Base Open House with my father, Richard Lockett, on May 17, 1972 which marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Air Force. The displays featured the HL-10 lifting body, and pre-production models of the Northrop YA-9A and Fairchild-Republic YA-10A Thunderbolt II.

May 16, 1973: Open House Display

I attended the Edwards Air Force Base Open House with my father, Richard Lockett, on May 16, 1973. The displays featured threee heavyweight lifting bodies, and pre-production models of the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle and Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II.

November 16, 1975: Edwards Air Force Base Open House

I attended the Edwards Air Force Base Open House with my father, Richard Lockett, on November 16, 1975. The displays featured a Boeing NKC-135A Stratotanker, Boeing T-4A, the Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress, the Martin Marrietta X-24B lifting body, and pre-production models of the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle, General Dynamics YF-16, and Northrop YF-17.

1977 - 1983: Space Shuttle Enterprise, OV-101 Approach and Landing Tests and Open House Appearances

Here is a retrospective of the career of the first Space Shuttle, OV-101 Enterprise, which was used for five test flights of the last phases of the approach to landing at Edwards Air Force Base in 1977. It was often displayed at the Edwards Air Force Base open house in the early 1980s.

1982 - 1983: Space Shuttle Challenger OV-099

Space Shuttle Challenger was the second operational orbiter. It began as a structural test article before being converted to a fligh vehicle. It was delivered to NASA from Edwards Air Force Base on July 4, 1982. Its first mision was STS-6 which took off on April 4, 1983 from the Kennedy Space Center and landed on April 9, 1983 at Edwards Air Force Base. It conducted nine successful mission before it was destroyed in an explosion during launch of STS-51-L on January 28, 1986.

November 8, 1987: Open House

Edwards AFB Open House, November 8, 1987 - Thunderbirds Arrival: The USAF Thunderbirds perform a short show as they arrive at the Edwards Air Force Base Open House on November 8, 1987.

Edwards AFB Open House, November 8, 1987 - Static Displays part 1 : Edwards AFB hosted an Open House on November 8, 1987. The static displays featured many aircraft not seen at other airshows.

Edwards AFB Open House, November 8, 1987 - Static Displays part 2 : Edwards AFB hosted an Open House on November 8, 1987. The static displays featured many aircraft not seen at other airshows.

1987 Edwards AFB Open House Flying Displays Part 1: A wide variety of military aircraft are showcased at the Edwards Air Force Base Open house on November 8, 1987. Part one of two.

1987 Edwards AFB Open House Flying Displays Part 2: A wide variety of military aircraft are showcased at the Edwards Air Force Base Open house on November 8, 1987. Part two of two.

U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds at Edwards, November 8, 1987: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the Edwards Air Force Base open house in six General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons on November 8, 1987.

January 30, 1992: STS-42 Landing at Edwards AFB

STS-42 Landing at Edwards AFB, January 30, 1992: The Space Shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards AFB at the conclusion of STS-42.

October 23, 1993: Open House

Edwards AFB Open House, October 23, 1993 part 1 - Static Displays: Edwards Air Force Base hosted an Open House on October 23, 1993.

Edwards AFB Open House, October 23, 1993 part 2 - Static Displays: Edwards Air Force Base hosted an Open House on October 23, 1993.

Edwards AFB Open House, October 23, 1993 part 3 - Flying Displays: Edwards Air Force Base hosted an Open House on October 23, 1993. The flying displays featured McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagles, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, a Northrop T-38 Talon and a Cessna A-37 Dragonfly.

October 22, 1994: Open House

Edwards AFB Open House October 22, 1994 part 1: Edwards AFB Open House hosted an open house on October 22, 1994. Static displays included most types in the Air Force inventory.

Edwards AFB Open House October 22, 1994 part 2: Edwards AFB Open House hosted an open house on October 22, 1994. Static displays in the main hangar included NASA testbeds, a stealth bomber, and a flock of Rutan Long EZEs. A McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster III dropped a group of parachutists. A McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon, and Lockheed-Martin F-117 Nighthawks conducted attack demonstrations.

Edwards AFB Open House October 22, 1994 part 3: Edwards AFB Open House hosted an open house on October 22, 1994. The show concluded with flight demonstrations by a Lockheed C-141A Starlifter, Short C-23A Sherpa, McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon, McDonnell-Douglas F-15B Eagle, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker, McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globermaster III, and Northrop-Grumman B-2A Spirit.

October 21, 1995: Open House

Edwards AFB Open House, October 21, 1995 part 1: Edwards AFB hosted an open house on October 21, 1995. The show featured performances by Lockheed-Martin F-117 Nighthawks, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagles, a McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, a Northrop T-38A Talon, A Lockheed C-141A Starlifter, and a Short, C-23A Sherpa.

Edwards AFB Open House, October 21, 1995 part 2: Edwards AFB hosted an open house on October 21, 1995. The show featured performances by General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagles, a McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, a Northrop T-38A Talon, A Lockheed C-141A Starlifter, and a Short, C-23A Sherpa.

October 19, 1996: Open House

Edwards AFB Open House, October 19, 1996 : Edwards AFB hosted an open house on October 19, 1996. High winds curtailed much of the flying activity. By the end of the day, wind-blown sand infiltrated my camcorder and ended its career.

October 3, 1998, Open House

The pictures of the static displays at the 1998 Edwards AFB Open House Display can be viewed in 3-D.

The flying displays included the usual assortment of novel formation fly-bys.

October 9-10, 1999, Open House

Go to static displays of the Edwards AFB 1999 Airshow.

Go to Saturday flight demonstrations of the Edwards AFB 1999 Airshow.

Go to Sunday flight demonstrations of the Edwards AFB 1999 Airshow.

July 21, 2000, Air Force Flight Test Center Museum Opening Day

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum Opening Day Tour The Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base opened on July 21, 2000. Take a walking tour of the aircraft and displays at the museum. Notable attendees included X-1 pilot Chuck Yeager, X-15 pilot Pete Walker, X-15 and Space Shuttle pilot Joe Engle, NB-52B pilot Fitzhugh Fulton, NASA Photographer Tony Landis, and Aviation Artist Mike Machat.

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum Opening Ceremonies The Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base opened on July 21, 2000. Participants in the opening ceremony included X-1 pilot Chuck Yeager, X-15 pilot Pete Walker, and X-15 and Space Shuttle pilot Joe Engle,

October 21, 2000, Open House

The Edwards Air Force Base 2000 Open House was held on October 21.

October 31, November 2, 2000, Space Shuttle Discovery at Edwards AFB

Due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida, the Space Shuttle Discovery was diverted to Edwards Air Force Base at the conclusion of mission STS-92 on Tuesday, October 24. It departed for the Kennedy Space Center on a 747 Shuttle Carrier on November 2.

November 2, 2000, Sixth Free Flight of the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle

The NB-52B launched the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle on its sixth free flight on November 2, 2000

June 2, 2001, X-43A Hyper-X First Free Flight Attempt

The X-43A Hyper-X supersonic combustion ramjet testbed was launched on its first free flight on Saturday, June 2, 2001.

June 29, 2001, X-38 Crew Return Vehicle Launch Attempt

The NB-52B carried the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle aloft on Friday, June 29 in an attempt to launch the seventh mission of the test program.

July 10, 2001, Seventh Free Flight of the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle

The NB-52B launched the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle on its seventh mission on Tuesday, July 10, 2001.

October 26, 2002: Edwards AFB Open House

After a one year hiatus, the Edwards AFB Open House returned on October 26, 2002 with several novel aircraft making their first public appearance and an action packed flying display.

Static Displays of the 2002 Edwards Air Force Base Open House.

Flying Displays of the 2002 Edwards Air Force Base Open House.

October 22 - 25, 2003 Open House

The Edwards Air Force Base Open House was held the weekend of October 25-26. During the two-day event, visitors saw new and unique aircraft in the Air Force inventory, and some of the best aerial demonstration pilots and teams performing today. The various demonstrations included Air Force aircraft such as the F/A-22, F-117, F-16, KC-135, C-17, B-1, which set 52 official world records, B-2, as well as NASA aircraft among others. This was also a once-a-year opportunity for taxpayers to see the kind of equipment they buy for the Air Force, and the abilities of the people who test, fly and maintain this equipment.

I spent three days shooting at Edwards AFB. On Wednesday, October 22, I shot the military rehearsals from the media site next to the runway.

Rehearsal, October 22, Page 1

Rehearsal, October 22, Page 2

On Friday, October 24, I shot the arrival of the U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the static display aircraft on the main flightline.

Military Aircraft Static Displays, October 24

NASA and Vintage Aircraft Static Displays, October 24

On Saturday, October 25, I shot the airshow from the media site next to the runway.

Airshow, October 25, Page 1

Airshow, October 25, Page 2

Thunderbirds Arrival, Friday and Airshow, Saturday.

Following the airshow at Edwards AFB on October 25, 2003, I photographed part of the collection of the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum that is stored on the old South Base flightline.

March 27, 2004: X-43A Hyper-X demonstrates air-breathing powered flight at mach-7

The second X-43A Hyper-X mission was launched from NASA's NB-52B mothership on Saturday, March 27. It was dropped from the NB-52B about fifty miles from the coast of Southern California. The mission demonstrated the feasibility of air-breathing powered flight at mach-7.

November 16, 2004: X-43A Hyper-X flies a jet engine at Mach 9.6

The third X-43A Hyper-X demonstrated that an air-breathing engine can propel a vehicle at Mach-10 on the afternoon of November 16, 2004. The Hyper-X flight was conducted out of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert.

November 15-16, 2004: Hyper-X, The long version

The third X-43A Hyper-X mission did not go off without a hitch. Problems with the GPS or inertial navigation system of the X-43A resulted in a mission abort on Monday. Here is the story of two days at Edwards Air Force Base covering the final X-43A mission.

December 17, 2004: NB-52B Walkaround

Take a detailed look at the NB-52B as it appeared at its retirement ceremony. Read the history of the airplane as revealed by the mission marks running along the side of its fuselage. Illustrations are provided to assist in the construction of a model of the NB-52B.

December 17, 2004: NASA's Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress Mothership Retirement Ceremony

NASA's Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress Mothership was retired in a ceremony at the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base on Friday December 17, 2004. The NB-52B has been a fixture at Edwards AFB for forty-nine years.

August 19, 2005: Space Shuttle Discovery Departs from Edwards Air Force Base

The Space Shuttle Discovery departed from Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base on 747 Carrier Aircraft NASA Nine Oh Five at 8:31 A.M. PDT Friday, August 19, 2005. It is returning to the Kennedy Space Center. It landed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma at 1:31 P.M. CDT. It arrived at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana at 5:46 P.M. CDT. The shuttle remained at Barksdale Air Force Base on Saturday and continued to the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, arriving at 10:00 A.M. EDT. Discovery is scheduled to perform the next Space Shuttle mission in March.

October 18, 2005: Preparations for the Edwards AFB Open House

On Tuesday, October 18, the Edward Air Force Base Public Affairs Office provided representatives of the media with a glimpse of some of the equipment to be displayed at the Open House.

October 21, 2005: Air Force Flight Test Center Museum

The Air Force Flight Test Center Museum boasts a collection of airplanes and helicopters that have contributed to the vast history of flight testing that has occurred at Edwards Air Force Base. The AFFTC Museum is part of the tours hosted by Edwards AFB public affairs on the first and third Fridays of each month.

October 21, 2005: Edwards AFB Airshow Rehearsal

Edwards Air Force Base hosted an Open House over the weekend of October 22-23. During the two-day event, visitors saw new and unique aircraft in the Air Force inventory, and some of the best aerial demonstration pilots performing today. The various demonstrations included Air Force aircraft such as the F/A-22, F-117, F-16, KC-135, C-17, B-1, B-2, several NASA aircraft including the NF-15B, F/A-18A, T-34C and ER-2. Airplanes scheduled to perform at the Open House rehearsed their flights on Friday, October 21.

October 21, 2005: Static Displays and Arrivals

Static Displays and Arrivals

October 22, 2005: Edwards AFB Airshow

Airshow Page 1

Airshow Page 2

October 25, 2006: A day next to the main runway at Edwards AFB

A media contingent spent several hours photographing the air traffic on the main runway at Edwards Air Force Base on Wednesday, October 25. The air temperature was in the 70s. The wind was blowing 17 miles per hour, gusting to 23 miles per hour.

October 27 - 29, 2006: Airshow

The Edwards Air Force Base Open House was held over the weekend of October 28-29.

October 27 - 29, 2006: Static Displays in 3-D

I photographed the static displays at the Edwards Air Force Base Open House with two cameras to create stereoscopic pairs. To see the airplanes and helicopters in 3-D, cross your eyes until the two images line up.

October 27 - 28, 2006: USAF Thunderbirds

The USAF Thunderbirds put on their usual precision flying performance each day of the airshow.

May 31, 2007: NASA's 747SP SOFIA Arrives at Edwards AFB

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a Boeing 747SP modified to carry a 2.5 meter diameter infra-red telescope, arrived at Edwards Air Force Base early in the afternoon on May 31, 2007. It will conduct infra-red astronomical observations above most of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere.

July 1, 2007: Space Shuttle Atlantis departs Edwards Air Force Base

The Space Shuttle Atlantis departed from Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base on 747 Carrier Aircraft NASA Nine Zero Five at 6:04 A.M. PDT Sunday, July 1, 2007. It was returning to the Kennedy Space Center.

2007 - 2009: Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space Shuttle Atlantis OV-104 was the fourth operational orbiter. Its first flight was STS-51-J which was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on October 3, 1985 and landed at Edwards Air Force Base on October 7, 1985. It flew 33 missions. Its final mission was STS-135 which was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on July 8, 2011 and landed at the Kennedy Space Center on July 21, 2011. It was the final Space Shuttle mission. It is now on display at the Kennedy Space Center.

September 26, 2007: Air Force concludes CV-22 Osprey Evaluation at Edwards Air Force Base

The Air Force CV-22 Osprey flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base is coming to a conclusion. For seven years, CV-22s have plied the skies over the Mojave Desert, testing the Forward Looking Infra-red and Terrain Following Radar that will be used for nap of the earth flying in bad weather and at night. The final flight of the test program was flown on Wednesday, September 26.

Century Circle

Century Circle, a display of Century-series fighters has been installed just outside the Rosamond Boulevard gate into Edwards Air Force Base. It is open to the public. Just pull into the parking lot before you reach the guard house.

October 23, 2008: Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II at Edwards Air Force Base

The first Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II, AA-1 completed air-start and noise tests at Edwards Air Force Base on Thursday October 23.

December 5, 2008: Space Shuttle Endeavor at Edwards Air Force Base

The Space Shuttle Endeavor was suspended under the Mate/Demate Device as it was prepared to be loaded on the 747 Carrier Aircraft at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Canter at Edwards Air Force Base at sunset on Friday, December 5, 2008.

32,852 pixel by 21,708 pixel high-resolution view produced by stitching together 182 images (14 columns by 13 rows) taken with a Gigapan robotic camera mount. It has a field of view of 164.5 degrees wide by 108.7 degrees high (top=68.2, bottom=-40.5).

December 10, 2008: Space Shuttle Endeavor departs from Edwards AFB

747-SCA N911NA departed from Runway 04 at Edwards Air Force Base bearing Space Shuttle Endeavor back to Florida at 7:10 AM on Wednesday, December 10. It landed at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas 2 hours and 18 minutes later.

May 29, 2009: Stormy Day at Edwards Air Force Base

While I was at Edwards Air Force Base to photograph the Space Shuttle Atlantis, I also photographed a number of the airplanes displayed on the base as thunderstyorms rumbled through the area.

August 18, 2009: Orion Crew Module PA-1 Departs NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Boilerplate Orion Crew Module PA-1 was loaded aboard an Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center on August 18, 2009. It will be flown to Holloman Air Force Base and then trucked to the White Sands Missile Range for the first Launch Abort System (LAS) Pad Abort Test.

September 11, 2009: Space Shuttle Discovery Lands at Edwards AFB

Bad weather over Florida forced the Space Shuttle Discovery to wave off from its primary landing site and land at Edwards air Force Base in California at the conclusion of mission STS-128 on September 11, 2009.

September 17, 2009: Space Shuttle Discovery at Edwards AFB

The Space Shuttle Discovery was suspended from the Mare/Demate Device at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center as it was prepared for loading aboard the Boeing 747 Carrier Aircraft on Thursday, September 17, 2009.

September 20, 2009: Space Shuttle Discovery Departs Edwards AFB

Boeing 747 Carrier Aircraft N911NA took off with the Space Shuttle Discovery at 6:20 AM PDT on Sunday morning for the ferry flight to the Kennedy Space Center. The first stop will be at Amarillo, Texas. The pair stopped at Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas and continued to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana later in the day. They will complete the flight to Kennedy Space Center tomorrow.

October 16, 2009: Edwards Air Force Base Airshow Rehearsal

The day before the Edwards Air Force Base Open House, flight crews rehearsed for the airshow.

October 17, 2009: Edwards Air Force Base Airshow and Open House

A quarter of a million people assembled on a hot, cloudless, and windless day at Flight Test Nation 2009, the Edwards Air Force Base open house and airshow on Saturday, October 17. They were treated to performances by the US Army Golden Knights, John Collver, and Julie Clark. The Air Force demonstrated a Fairchild-Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II, Boeing-McDonnell-Douglas C-17A Globemaster 3, and Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor. The Tora, Tora, Tora show reenacted the attack on Pearl Harbor. All three of the Air Force heavy bomber types, B-52H Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, and B-2A Spirit, flew past the crowd. It was the first public appearance of the Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning 2. Orbital Sciences displayed White Knight and White Knight 2. The Flight Test Center assembled a formation of ten airplanes from the 412th Test Wing for the finale.

October 16-17, 2009: Edwards Air Force Base Airshow Static Displays

It's hard to beat the remarkable variety of airplanes and helicopters displayed at the Edwards Air Force Base Open House and Airshow.

February 20, 2010: NASA's Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress Mothership on Display

The Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress mothership 52-0008 has been placed on display outside the north gate of Edwards Air Force Base, off Highway 58 between Mojave and Boron. It is accessible to the public. There is a turn around just before the security post and a parking area adjacent to the NB-52B.

Photography Prints You can buy framed prints and greeting cardds of this photograph.

September 20 - 21, 2012: Space Shuttle Endeavour's Last Flights

Boeing 747 Carrier Aircraft N905NA landed at Edwrds Air Force Base with Space Shuttle Endeavour on its journey to Los Angeles. This was the firsst time that a Shuttle Carrier aircraft brought a shuttle to Edwards froa nother airport The Space Suttle endeavour made the last leg of its cross-country journey from the Kennedy Space center to Los Angeles International Airporton September 21, 2012. The 747/Shuttle stack conducted a tour of California before landing at Los Angeles.

September 20 - 21, 2012: Flight Operations at Edwards Air Force Base

A variety of airplanes took off and landed on Runway 22 Left while I waited for the arrival and departure of the Space Shuttle Endeavour.


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Lockheed-Martin F/A-22A Raptors at Edwards Air Force Base

2020 Calendar

You can buy a 2020 calendar featuring my photographs of Lockheed-Martin F/A-22A Raptors at Edwards Air Force Base.

A dozen photos of Lockheed-Martin F/A-22A Raptors at Edwards Air Force Base. Raptors pictured include F-22A Engineering, Manufacture Development (EMD) Raptors, 91-4003, 91-4005, 91-4006, 91-4007, and 91-4009 of the 412th Test Wing and F/A-22A Production Representative Test Vehicle (PRTV) Raptor, 99-4010 of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group.

Put a copy of the Lockheed-Martin F/A-22A Raptors at Edwards Air Force Base: 2020 Calendar in your Lulu.com shopping cart for $14.95.


Balls Eight: Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress Mothership

2020 calendar

You can buy a 2020 calendar featuring photographs of the Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress Mothership that launched the X-15s in the 1960s and continued launching research vehicles until 2004.

It has been asserted that the Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress, carrying Air Force serial 52-0008, can lay claim to being the airplane that has seen and participated in more history than any other single airplane. This calendar features a dozen pictures of the NB-52B carrying some of the research vehicles that it launched over the years. Photo sources: Air Force, NASA, Richard Lockett, Brian Lockett:

North American X-15-1, 1960
North American X-15-3, 1963
North American X-15A-2, 1967
Northrop HL-10, 1969
Martin-Mariettta X-24A, 1970
Northrop M2-F3, 1972
Martin-Mariettta X-24B, 1973
Orbital Sciences Pegasus, 1989
Supersonic Supercruise, 1995
X-38 V-131R, 2000
X-43A Hyper-X, 2004

Put a copy of the Balls Eight: Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress Mothership: 2020 calendar in your Lulu.com shopping cart for $14.95.

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