Edwards Air Force Base Open House
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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.
Douglas JC-133A 54-0136 was the second Cargomaster built. Douglas Aircraft Company used it for contractor demonstrations from June 1956 to August 1961. It was loaned to NASA from April 1966 to May 1969. Its NASA call number was 928. It was purchased by the Foundation for Airborne Relief in 1973.
North American X-15-2 56-6671 made its first public appearance next to Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress 52-0003. The NB-52A was the fifth B-52 built and was retired in 1969. It can now be seen at the Pima Air Museum near Tuscon, Arizona.Link to the history of the NB-52A Stratofortresses used to launch the X-15s and a variety of other research vehicles.
North American X-15-2 56-6671 and Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress 52-0003.
An old airplane hulk is torched for a Fire fighting demonstration.
Fire fighting demonstration
Boeing B-52G Stratofortress simulates refueling from a Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker. The undersides of the Stratofortress were painted white to reflect the destructively intense light from nuclear explosions. The top of the B-52 and the entire stratotanker remained unpainted.
The flying demonstration was brought to an abrupt halt by the crash of an Allouette helicopter. The helicopter pilot was killed.
Two fire trucks and an ambulance responded to the crash. A helicopter hovered over the wreckage to blow the smoke and flames away from the firefighters.
Northrop T-38A Talons 58-1194 and 59-1594. 58-1194 was a single seater. It was later transferred to the US Navy as as DT-38A 581194, then converted to QT-38A. It was struck off charge due to damage in November 19, 1980.
Four Lockheed F-104A Starfighters including 56-0751 and 56-0759. 56-0751 was written off following a crash 12 miles Southeast of Edwards AFB on October 21, 1960. 56-0759 was retired to MASDC as FB003 on October 25, 1967. It was transferred to the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 1969.
Boeing JB-47E Stratojet 52-0221 had crashed in Florida on July 25, 1955. It was retired to MASDC on December 8, 1961.
X-15 launch plane Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress 52-003.
Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress 52-003.
Douglas C-133B Cargomaster 59-0524 was retired to MASDC as CU022 on June 16, 1971.
NB-52B 52-0008 with the X-15 #1 56-6670. Joe Walker had made the first Mach 3 X-15 flight in it on May 12, breaking Mel Apt's speed record, set in the X-2 in 1955. The orange dayglo paint on the tail can be seen to be peeling and within a short time it was removed, along with the dayglo on the engine intakes. The NB-52B is now on display at the North Gate of Edwards AFB.
Lockheed U-2A 56-6701 carried unusual high visibility markings for a U-2. It was delivered to the Strategic Air and Space Museum at Ashland, Nebraska in 1982.
The pogo landing gear of this U-2A can be seen under the wings.
Convair YB-58A Hustler 55-0662 was the third built. It was later used as a testbed for the J93 engine used in the XB-70A Valkyrie. The test engine was mounted in a pod under the fuselage. It was converted to TB-58A trainer. It was used as chase aircraft at Edwards AFB for the North American XB-70 Valkyrie project. It was retired to MASDC as BQ083 on January 16, 19970.
Edwards AFB displays.
Books about
Edwards Air Force Base and the X-15 available from 
Edwards Air Force Base : Open House at the USAF
Flight Test Center 1957-1966 : A Photo Chronicle of
Aircraft Displayed (Schiffer Military History) by Robert D. Archer
Test Colors: The Aircraft of Muroc Army Airfield
and Edwards Air Force Base by Rene Francillon
At the Edge of Space : The X-15 Flight Program
by Milton O. Thompson. The story of test flying the X-15 from the
point of view of the pilot.
Angle of Attack : Harrison Storms and the Race to
the Moon by Mike Gray. The biography of Harrison Storms, who
was instrumental in the development and operation of the X-15.
X-15 (The Nasa Mission Reports)
The X-Planes: X-1 to X-45: 3rd Edition
by Jay Miller
X-Planes at Edwards (Enthusiast Color
Series) by
Steve Pace
Go to home page of the Goleta Air and Space Museum.
Send a message to Brian.
Edited December 3, 2018