Warbird Information Exchange

NTA, designated as AOC RVAAP-38 (Figure 1-2), was in operation from 1947 to 1953 and consists of
an area of approximately 27.9 hectares (69 acres). The AOC is located in the southwestern quadrant of
RVAAP. The site was used to conduct experimental crash tests of excess military aircraft in order to
develop explosion-proof fuel tanks and fuel for aircraft (AGOH 1997; NACA 1953). Figure 1-4 depicts
the cultural landmarks and other reference points within NTA that will be mentioned throughout this
report. Access to the site is by Demolition Road. The AOC consists of an east–west trending runway or
crash strip, measuring approximately 495-meters (1,625-feet) long; the crash area at the east end of the
strip, measuring about 244 × 244 meters (800 × 800 feet); the plane burial area upslope (east) of the crash
area; and the plane storage area, which surrounds and overlaps DA1 (RVAAP-03). Although the concrete
runway and pad are still present, the crash barrier, timing poles, utilities, buildings, and other
infrastructure have been removed. Water lines or other utilities are possibly still buried beneath the crash
area. A small reservoir was excavated for water, presumably for fire control, southeast of the former crash
barrier. An out-of-service water well, enclosed in a concrete pit, is located immediately northeast of the
reservoir. An access road (slag or compacted soil) makes a loop around the crash area. Wetland areas
exist partly within the AOC boundary north of the crash area. Along the southern boundary of the crash
area, seasonal wetland areas are evident.

Excess airplanes were flown to RVAAP under their own power, taxied along installation roads, and
staged at NTA. The planes were fueled and then propelled under their own power on a guide monorail.
The planes were then crashed into a concrete barrier at speeds from 80 to 105 miles per hour. During the
tests, high-speed films were made to study fuel spillage, generation of ignition sources, flame front
progression, and toxic gas generation, among other parameters. Fluids from the burning airplanes were
generally found in a fan-shaped area beginning at the crash barrier and extending out in front of the
airplane up to 122 meters (400 feet).

Seventeen excess aircraft were used during NTA operations. Some were completely consumed by fire.
Those that were significantly damaged during testing were stripped of instrumentation and salvageable
parts, and the majority were removed from the site. However, some aircraft were bulldozed into an area at
the northeast end of the AOC and buried. Debris protrudes from the soil at some locations within this
former burial area.

Just a guess, but isn't the aircraft sandwiched between the two topmost C-82's a B-25?

I dunno Inspector, It looks like a P-61 in both photos to me in lieu of the B-25 type

I think it's a mixed bag of C-82's and C-119's. P-61 is considerably smaller (and notably skinnier).

I sorta doubt that the aircraft are C-119's. Reason being is that 1952 was about the mid-point of the production run for the 119's (1948 thru 1955) and I really can't think of a reason that they would be scrapping any so soon. The C-82's were being surplused by then and were no doubt "available for dispositon".

I agree that the 'mystery' plane looks much like that of a B-25.

John