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A day next to the main runway at
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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.
The Edwards Air Force Base Open House will be held over the weekend of October 28-29. During the two-day event, visitors will see new and unique aircraft in the Air Force inventory, and some of the best aerial demonstration pilots performing today. The various demonstrations will include 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. This is an opportunity for taxpayers to see the kind of equipment they buy for the Air Force and NASA, and the abilities of the people who test, fly and maintain this equipment.
These airplanes and many more like them may be seen at the open house this weekend.
NASA McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18B-4MC Hornet landing on Runway 22. It flies under the call sign NASA Eight Five Two. It is the third pre-production F/A-18B and is about 25 years old. It was delivered to the U.S. Navy as TF-18A, BuNo 161217 as part of F/A-18 Lot 3. TF-18As were redesignated F/A-18B in the early 1980s. It joined NASA in 1985. The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center also operates the first two F/A-18Bs as N845NA and N846NA.
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker, 61-0320 of the 412th Test Wing performing a missed approach to Runway 22.
KC-135R 61-0320 landing on Runway 22.
Northrop T-38A-75 Talon, 68-8153 of the 412th Test Wing just about to break into the pattern.
T-38A-75 68-8153 landing on Runway 22.
Last of nine Lockheed-Martin F-22A EMD Raptors, 91-4009 of the 412th Test Wing breaks into the pattern for Runway 22. It is accompanied by General-Dynamics F-16B Fighting Falcon Block 15AR, 92-0453 of the 412th Test Wing, which was built for Pakistan, but then embargoed.
Contrails stream from the wing tips of F-22A EMD Raptor, 91-4009 as it breaks into the pattern.
Lockheed-Martin F-22A EMD Raptor, 91-4009 landing on Runway 22.
F-16B Block 15AR, 92-0453 landing on Runway 22.
North American SNJ-5 Texan, N1038A War Dog landing on Runway 22. It was built in 1944. Its U.S. Navy Bureau Number was 90917 and it still wears that number on its tail. It has been a familiar sight on the airshow circuit for many years. It is owned and piloted by John Collver.
Israeli Aircraft Industries IAI-1125A C-38A Astra, 41570 callsign Boxer two two six, taking off from Runway 22.
C-38A Astra, 41570.
Thunderbirds #8, General-Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon surveys the airfield at 500 feet above ground level. It made four passes, two perpendicular to the main runway and one in each direction along the runway before breaking into the pattern to land on Runway 22.
There are many ravens and predatory birds in the area.
Thunderbirds #8 landing on Runway 22.
Beechcraft UC-12B Huron, BuNo 161191 landing on Runway 22. It is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 61-0292 of the 319th Air Refueling Wing taking off from Runway 22. It is based at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.
U.S. Navy Lockheed-Martin C-130T Hercules, BuNo 165350 performing a touch-and-go landing on Runway 22. It is assigned to VR-55 based at Naval Air Station Santa Clarita.
C-130T BuNo 165350 performing a second touch-and-go landing on Runway 22.
Lear C-21A, 84-0073 landing on Runway 22.
The Edwards Air Force Base Open House was held over the weekend of October 28-29.
The USAF Thunderbirds put on their usual precision flying performance each day of the airshow.
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.
More Edwards AFB displays.
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.
Go to the Airshow Page of the Goleta Air and Space Museum.
Send a message to Brian.