Edwards AFB base visit (Image Heavy)

[Greg_NY]

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to visit Edwards AFB in California. Edwards is the home of the Air Force Test Center and USAF test pilot school. NASA's Dryden Research Center is located at the north end of the facility.

Over the years, Edwards AFB has played a role in testing and development of nearly every aircraft in the USAF, as well as many experimental projects. Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 took place there as did many other X plane flights. The space shuttle also landed many times on the dry lake bed there. Needless to say you can practically feel the history as you walk the ramp.

I wanted to share some of the shots I took there.

Walking the ramp
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5519_PS_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8110_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8141_PS_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8202_800.jpg

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II - lots of activity
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5760_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5856_PS_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5859_PS_800.jpg

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http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_6095_PS_800.jpg

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T-38 from Beale AFB
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5941_800.jpg

Local T-38
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5975_800.jpg

Local Vipers
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_6108_PS_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_6228_800.jpg

NASA F/A-18 Hornet
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_6300_800.jpg

Edwards based F-22 Raptor
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_6471_800.jpg

B-52 Recovering
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_6591_PS_800.jpg

FAA Convair
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8223_PS_800.jpg

The Lockheed Martin CATB aircraft used for flight testing the avionics suite for the Lockheed Martin F-35
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8282_PS_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8293_800.jpg

B2- launched and recovered multiple times
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8367_800.jpg

http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_5711_800.jpg

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KC-10 arrival
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8465_800.jpg

This is the pit where they placed the Bell X-1 with Chuck Yeager in it. They would then taxi the B-29 over it and attach the X-1.
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8496_800.jpg

NF-104 outside the USAF Test Pilot School
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8091_800.jpg

Statue of Chuck Yeager
http://www.lebowitzfamily.com/images/edwards2014/IMG_8102_800.jpg

Thanks for looking

Isaac

[Gerard]

WOW!! Just awesome!! Any more? :smile::cool:

[Zee71]

Wow Isaac .... killer set, and nothing short of outstanding, and amazing!!!

[Gintaras B.]

Great shots !

[Greg_NY]

Thanks Gerard, Mark and Gintaras!

[JDANDO]

Wow! There is all sorts of win in that set! Looks like a great day on the ramp and out spotting!

[Greg_NY]

Thanks Jeremy, it sure was...

[Chris S]

Awesome set Isaac !:cool:
Glad you finally got to visit Edwards AFB and had such great day of spotting there!:wink:

[Jared Blech]

Sick set!

[moose135]

Outstanding, Isaac!

[NIKV69]

Isaac that was incredible!

[MarkLawrence]

Stunning set Isaac!!! I love the General Yeager statue.

[Greg_NY]

Thanks guys for the kind comments!

[Derf]

Simply WOW!

[Boston Spotter]

Wow! Some amazing shots, my friend.

[tlabranche]

Wow!