Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft

Photographed By Denise Boose, February 23, 2012

1. Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft Marker

Inscription. On Oct. 2, 1942, a Bell XP-59A Aircraft powered by Twin General Electric Type 1-A Engines introduced Jet Flight to America. This new age began here at Edwards Air Force Base as the XP-59A lifted from Rogers Dry Lake with Bell Test Pilot Robert M. Stanley at the controls. Later the same day, Col.L.C. Craigie became the first American military pilot to the fly the aircraft.
This Memorial is Dedicated
to all those who contributed to these first flights and is presented in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of that event through the cooperation of: United States Air Force • Jet Pioneers' Assoc. Of U.S.A • General Electric Co. • Textron's Bell Aerosystems Co.

Erected 1967 by United States Air Force, Jet Pioneers' Accoc. of U.S.A, General Electric Co., and Textron's Bell Aerosystems Co.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 34° 55.462′ N, 117° 53.942′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Rosamond Boulevard, 0.1 miles north of Popson Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Near Edwards AFB Library. Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 307 Popson Ave, Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sound Barrier Cracked (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Medal of Honor (approx. ¼ mile away); F-86F (approx. 0.3 miles away); Leaps in Technology (approx. 0.3 miles away); F-16B (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackie Cochran (approx. half a mile away); Rocket Engine NF-104A (approx. half a mile away); General Dynamics F-16XL (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, February 23, 2012

2. Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft and Marker

Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft Marker & Flag Memorial Square Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, February 23, 2012

3. Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft Marker & Flag Memorial Square Marker

Flag Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, February 23, 2012

4. Flag Memorial Marker

This flag memorial is dedicated to the men and women of Edwards AFB who have come together from every state in the nation to serve their country. Made possible through the generosity of the Edwards AFB Civilian/Military Support Group. 4 July 1991

XP-59A Airacomet image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 20, 2019

5. XP-59A Airacomet

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 843 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on September 21, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.