Switch to full style
This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Post a reply

Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:58 am

I just played around with Google Maps, and am quite impressed with all the derelict satellite fields scattered around the Mojave valley. Some not more than 7nm of each other. I also looked at other places like China Lake and found a compound with some derelict airplanes stored at the SE end of RNY 32. Are these to be made into some kind of display or what is the reason for their continued presence at the base?

http://www.google.com/maps/place/Naval+ ... 3066?hl=en

T J

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:00 am

Can't see the map at the moment but there is/was a compound with F-4s which were due conversion to QF-4 targets. Prior to that it had housed various aircraft (R4D, QF-86F etc) which were going to be displayed at the NAWS museum (where they now are). Other aircraft that were in that compound (F-111B, OV-10, RA-5 etc) seem to have gone for scrap or static test.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 7:27 am

The location you linked is the Museum annex. Highlights include a F-111B (Navy prototype), B-29 (incomplete), and the KC-97 (outer wings removed) that was used as a wind machine!

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:16 pm

The B-29 is 44-70102 "Here's Hopin". The rest of it is rumored to be in the double top secret compound near Anza along with other B-29 hulks.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 5:11 pm

There also appears to be a Crusader and two aircraft that could be Intruders or Prowlers in the Google Maps view.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:02 pm

m50a1ontos wrote:The B-29 is 44-70102 "Here's Hopin". The rest of it is rumored to be in the double top secret compound near Anza along with other B-29 hulks.


Are they covered to prevent aerial photos?

If not, I doubt it's secret. :)

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 7:03 pm

There is all sorts of cool stuff scattered around China Lake.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Wed Oct 04, 2017 7:06 pm

m50a1ontos wrote:The B-29 is 44-70102 "Here's Hopin". The rest of it is rumored to be in the double top secret compound near Anza along with other B-29 hulks.



Is there a location we can check out on Google Earth?

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 6:13 am

Try this:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@35.67748 ... a=!3m1!1e3

[url][/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@35.6774864,-117.6766767,213m/data=!3m1!1e3url]

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 6:20 am

m50a1ontos wrote:The B-29 is 44-70102 "Here's Hopin". The rest of it is rumored to be in the double top secret compound near Anza along with other B-29 hulks.


I think you mean Ocotillo Wells: it's hardly any sort of secret. I have photos somewhere which I'll post but I don't recall that tail section. There is an SB-29 at Ocotillo that used to be in the same group at CL however.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 6:23 am

Looking for some A-1 odds and ends - are there any Skyraider hulks at China Lake?

Ken

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:31 am

quemerford wrote:Try this:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@35.67748 ... a=!3m1!1e3

[url][/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@35.6774864,-117.6766767,213m/data=!3m1!1e3url]


Oh, I meant for the "double secret"location at Anza. But I suspect what was meant was Ocotillo Wells.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:16 am

I think we avoid posting direct links to the Ocotillo site to avoid unwelcome ground visitors. It can be found perusing Google maps. Neat once you find it, you can see the B-29 fuselages and de-mated wings. PM sent to you Clifford.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 1:07 pm

just a note if you really study the entire area of China lake there are several areas with aircraft in storage, derelict, etc.

Re: Derelicts at China Lake

Thu Oct 05, 2017 1:55 pm

Nathan wrote:just a note if you really study the entire area of China lake there are several areas with aircraft in storage, derelict, etc.


Indeed, I especially like the weapons survivability lab "parking lot".

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7312037 ... !1e3?hl=en

Lots of F-14's, Ospreys, Phantoms, etc, especially interesting to note a few Vigilante's still there. The last few museum saves of Vigilantes, such as the Castle Museum, came from here. Good thing as few survived after normal retirement.

Even a few Air Force types snuck in!
Post a reply