Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft
| | Airacomet | |
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 23, 2012
1. Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft Marker
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. It is on Rosamond Boulevard 0.1 miles north of Popson Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Near Edwards
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley, specifically in the Central Valley, in the Mojave Desert, and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are 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. Ό 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
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 23, 2012
2. Bell P-59 Jet Aircraft and Marker
Regarding Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft. The aircraft on display is a P-59B, deactivated in January 1946, one of only six remaining P-59 aircraft. Nicknamed the Reluctant Robot, it is believed to be the first jet aircraft in history to be flown by remote control.
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 23, 2012
3. Bell P-59 and Flag Memorial Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 23, 2012
4. Bell P-59 Jet Aircraft
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 20, 2019
5. Bell P-59 Jet Aircraft
courtesy USAF
6. The same Bell P-59 Jet Aircraft
Compare the tail numbers in each photo.
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 23, 2012
7. 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
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,054 times since then and 33 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. 6. submitted on December 8, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on March 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
