SoCal Travel Planning - Questions Added April 15th

[mrhenniger]

I am planning a trip to California next month. I am sure I will have many questions which will hopefully be answered to help ensure the trip goes smoothly. Here are a few to start...

EDIT: I moved the questions list to my latest post

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:43 am, edited 2 times in total.

[bdk]

I think that B-52 is still on the base, just not within the museum compound. Of course this is two years old (last time I was there).

[ZRX61]

There's a B52 in Palmdale...

[mrhenniger]

There's a B52 in Palmdale...

I think you are referring to this one...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42

I seem to remember something on WIX about the B-52 I am thinking about. It was the B-52 used by NASA for many years that is now replaced by an H model. They had to construct a road out to the pad where it would be displayed so that it could be moved there. Is this ringing any bells? The satellite images don't have it yet (if it is out there).

Mike

[Red]

You can visit the EDW museum. (closed on Mondays) You have to stop at the main gate (Rosemond Blvd) and they will issue a pass. Also don't forget they have the Century Circle just outside the gate. F-100, '101, '102, '104 & '105. They have also recently towed the YC-15 demonstrator there as well.

The B-52 Balls 8 (008) has been moved just inside (or maybe its just outside, I rarely use that one) the North gate. I think if you were to drive out through Mojave and go to the North gate, you could park and walk through the gate and take a look. I was there 3 weeks ago and they had a temporary gate setup further in, so I know you can see it for sure.

If you can get on Base, there is some nice stuff to view (SR-71, HL10, X-15 replica, X-29, F-104, 2 F-8's, X-2) at NASA/Dryden as well, although I don't think you can get there without an escort. There is also the rocket assisted F-105 on a stick outside the TPS, and the XP-59 and, and....well you get the picture.

Don't forget the Blackbird airpark in Palmdale as well. Lots of cool stuff and open to the public. Oh...and the Lockheed store is only about 2 miles away. Worth a trip too...

Have fun!

[mrhenniger]

You can visit the EDW museum. (closed on Mondays) You have to stop at the main gate (Rosemond Blvd) and they will issue a pass.

I have just about every minute of 9 days dawn to dusk planned for this trip. I just don't think I will be able to squeeze in the EDW museum. I will also need to check the website. There may be an issue with me just showing up with my passport as I am a foreigner (Canadian).

Also don't forget they have the Century Circle just outside the gate. F-100, '101, '102, '104 & '105. They have also recently towed the YC-15 demonstrator there as well.

Please tell me more. I don't know where this display is located. Could you help me by providing coordinates. To do so, go to...
Aerial Visuals Locator Search - Edwards Afb
...then right click on the location (zoom in a bit for accuracy). You will then be presented with the coordinates. You can copy them and paste them into a reply here.

The B-52 Balls 8 (008) has been moved just inside (or maybe its just outside, I rarely use that one) the North gate. I think if you were to drive out through Mojave and go to the North gate, you could park and walk through the gate and take a look. I was there 3 weeks ago and they had a temporary gate setup further in, so I know you can see it for sure.

This is the one I was thinking of. I have created a best guess location for it here...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Edwards AFB - North Gate - B-52
...how close did I get?

Don't forget the Blackbird airpark in Palmdale as well. Lots of cool stuff and open to the public. Oh...and the Lockheed store is only about 2 miles away. Worth a trip too...

Visiting that one on Day 8.

Have fun!

I most certainly will. Thanks for your help so far and thanks in advance for any further tips you can provide.

Mike

[Red]

Just because you are from the North American Lumber Reserve I don't think they'd turn you away. The museum is open to the public. If you make it to the Century Circle, the museum is only another 5 minutes that inside the gate.

I took my best guess on the coords. 34 54 19.03 N 117 55 46.74 W
34.905361,-117.929649

I had an idea, I'm going to be working down there the first week of May again, what time will you be there?

Here is shot of the Circle.

http://www.afftcmuseum.com/index.html

And here it talks about getting a visitor pass.

http://www.afftcmuseum.com/visitor_info_13.html

Red

[mrhenniger]

Thanks Red!

Just because you are from the North American Lumber Reserve I don't think they'd turn you away.

Excuse me?!?!? To be more accurate, Canada is the home of the North American Lumber AND OIL supply. That is not even mentioning a number of very fine breweries.

The museum is open to the public. If you make it to the Century Circle, the museum is only another 5 minutes that inside the gate.

I took my best guess on the coords. 34 54 19.03 N 117 55 46.74 W
34.905361,-117.929649

I had scanned the incoming road using GE earlier in the day and recognized the parking lot in the photo via your link! Century Circle is Site A here...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Air Force Flight Test Center Museum

I had an idea, I'm going to be working down there the first week of May again, what time will you be there?

I arrive at LAX on the 14th, but don't get to Edwards until the 20th. I would appreciate a tour, but I doubt our schedules will allow. It is no big deal as there is so much to see Warbird wise in SoCal that I won't be twiddling my thumbs.

Thanks again!

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Red]

Not sure....I'd like to go myself!

They have the party at The Happy Bottom Riding Club in Aug though....I understand thats a pretty good time!

[noizeedave]

Cant miss the Camarillo Experience...

B-25, C-47 ( AMerican Aeronautical Foundation )

Zero, Hellcat, Bearcat, 2x T-6, PBJ, C-46 ( CAF )

Well okay, maybe not the Bearcat if you come soon. They are still trying to get it home from Burbank airport. It needs a motor currently......

[ZRX61]

Lockheed company store is just down the street from the Palmdale air park & there's an F104 & F16 outside the gate along with a T33 & F117 on sticks inside the gate.

[RandolphB]

Red, off topic here, but what is the skuttlebutt on Edwards having an airshow this year? Nothing on Edwards' site, but I read a rumor on a website to that effect.

Last I heard they were going bi-yearly, like March's Airshow. Keep an eye on the website, as they didn't announce until around June of the last year they hosted the Open House...

[mrhenniger]

Here is the revised set of questions...

EDIT: I moved the questions list to my latest post

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Red]

Mike,

There is a lot at the Midway (north side) so parking shouldn't be an issue. It does cost but I don't recall how much.

[mrhenniger]

Cant miss the Camarillo Experience...
B-25, C-47 ( AMerican Aeronautical Foundation )
Zero, Hellcat, Bearcat, 2x T-6, PBJ, C-46 ( CAF )
Well okay, maybe not the Bearcat if you come soon. They are still trying to get it home from Burbank airport. It needs a motor currently......

Camarillo is on my list of places to visit. Right now it looks like Thursday, May 21st. It would be first thing in the morning. What time do you guys open? I don't mean to be rude, but it would be a quick visit (a little over an hour). Take pictures then go. That day is full and I won't have time to spare. I would like to shake your hand if you are going to be there, as it is nice to meet the people you correspond with.

Lockheed company store is just down the street from the Palmdale air park & there's an F104 & F16 outside the gate along with a T33 & F117 on sticks inside the gate.

I assume the T-33 and F-117 are not accessible to the public. I would guess they don't appreciate people taking picutres.

There is a lot at the Midway (north side) so parking shouldn't be an issue. It does cost but I don't recall how much.

That is good to read. The museum website seems to imply that finding a parking spot happens less frequently than winning the lottery.



Thanks Gents!

Mike