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

F-111A "Aardvark"

General Dynamics

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

1. F-111A "Aardvark" Marker

Inscription. The F-111A was the world’s first production variable-sweep wing fighter. It completed its maiden flight on 21 December 1964, at Carswell AFB, Texas. The aircraft could exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) by sweeping its wings rearward while in flight. The wings were swept forward for takeoffs, landing, or slow speed flight. Flight test programs were carried out at Edwards AFB on nearly every model of the F-111 series almost continuously from 1965 to 1990.

The aircraft on display was the first F-111A built and flown. Its entire service career was spent at Edwards where it performed the full spectrum of flight test. It was restored by the 6515th Field Maintenance and Organizational Maintenance Squadrons in 1986 and was placed on display here on 15 October 1986-exactly 22 years after it was first rolled out from General Dynamics’ Fort Worth factory.

On loan from the USAF Museum.

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Center Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1986.

Location. 34° 54.779′ N, 117° 55.206′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Rosamond Boulevard 0.2 miles west of Lancaster Boulevard, on the left

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when traveling east. Located next to the old AFFTC Museum. Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Rosamond Blvd, Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Dynamics F-16XL (a few steps from this marker); YA-7D "Corsair II" (a few steps from this marker); CT-39A "Sabreliner" (within shouting distance of this marker); T-28B "Trojan" (within shouting distance of this marker); F-84F "Thunderstreak" (within shouting distance of this marker); T-33A “Shooting Star” (within shouting distance of this marker); N.F.-11 (T.T.-20) “Meteor” (within shouting distance of this marker); UC-45J "Expeditor" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

2. F-111A - "Aardvark" Marker

F-111A "Aardvark" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

3. F-111A "Aardvark" and Marker

F-111A - "Aardvark" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

4. F-111A - "Aardvark"

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 799 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.