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

YA-10B

Prototype number 73-1664, Fairchild Republic

— Only two-seat A-10 made —

YA-10B Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

1. YA-10B Marker

Inscription.
Fairchild Republic Company’s two-place night/adverse weather A-10 began flight tests at Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB in May 1979. It was converted by Fairchild from one of six pre-production single place A-10s built in 1975. It was a two seat adverse-weather configuration. The pilot was assisted by a weapons officer in the back seat.

Key features
• Low Altitude navigation • Accurate visual weapons delivery at night and in adverse weather • A-10 can deliver up to eight tons of ordnance per sortie to destroy enemy armor and to suppress hostile anti-aircraft missiles.

Length: 53. 4 in.
Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Span: 57 ft. 6 in.
Range: 800 miles (695 nm)
Height: 15 Ft. 7 in.
Takeoff Weight (max): 49,500 lbs.
Speed: 420 mph (Mach 0.56)

On Loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Center Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1979.

Location. 34° 54.701′ N, 117° 55.281′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is on Rosamond Boulevard 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east. Located next to the old AFFTC

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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: NF-4C "Phantom II" (a few steps from this marker); Air Force Flight Test Center (within shouting distance of this marker); NASA Space Shuttle Crew Transport Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker); PGM-17A "Thor" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Piper PA-48 “Enforcer” (about 300 feet away); Lockheed SR-71A “Blackbird” (about 300 feet away); UC-45J "Expeditor" (about 400 feet away); T-33A “Shooting Star” (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Boeing B-52D - “Stratofortress” (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

YA-10B and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

2. YA-10B and Marker

YA-10B Prototype number 73-166 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

3. YA-10B Prototype number 73-166

YA-10B Gatling Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

4. YA-10B Gatling Gun

courtesy USAF

5. YA-10B

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,812 times since then and 53 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. 5. submitted on August 14, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.