Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
F-104A “Starfighter”
Lockheed
This Starfighter had a very interesting flight test career. It was loaned to NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center shortly after being delivered to the USAF in 1957. In 1959 it was bailed to Lockheed and was fitted with a G-model tail for nuclear weapons shape trails. It was also used as a chase plane on the first flight of the Lockheed SR-71A in 1964 and later flew with a U-2 nose installed to support AIM-7 missile tests for the F-104S. It returned to NASA service in 1966 and flew test missions at Dryden until 1977. It was transferred to the AFFTC Museum in 1985 and restored by the 412th Test Wing Surfaces Team in 2006.
On Loan from the National Museum of the USAF
Erected by Air Force Flight Test Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military.
Location. 34° 52.26′ N, 117° 59.437′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east. Located in Century Circle, just outside the West Gate of Edwards AFB, CA. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. TF-102A “Delta Dagger” (a few steps from this marker); F-105D “Thunderchief” (within shouting distance of this marker); YC-15 (within shouting distance of this marker); F-106B “Delta Dart” (within shouting distance of this marker); YF-100A “Super Sabre” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101B “Voodoo” (within shouting distance of this marker); YA-10B (approx. 4.8 miles away); NF-4C "Phantom II" (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.
Also see . . . Museum Website. Includes all museum locations, aircraft inventory, and plans for the future museum. (Submitted on March 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Additional keywords. Air Force Flight Test Museum, Flight Test Historical Foundation
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on March 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.