Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
YC-15
McDonnell Douglas
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012
1. YC-15 Marker
Two built by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) as Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) with Short Take Off and Landing ability. First flight 26 Aug 1975, landing at Edwards AFB. Pioneered supercritical wing on large aircraft; advanced airlift state of the art; could carry outsized vehicles; lift 27,000-lb. payload from 2,000-ft. runway. Prototype adapted DC-10 cockpit, DC-8 nosewheel, C-141 main landing gear. Display is first aircraft, number 70-1875, later fitted with larger wing. Though not produced in quantity, YC-15 traits show up in later C-17, mass-produced for the Air Force. Wingspan, 110 ft. 4 in. & 132 ft. 7 in.; length, 124 ft. 3 in.; height, 43 ft., 4 in.; gross wt. 219,180 lbs.; cruising speed 535 mph; engines Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans.
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. A significant historical date for this entry is August 26, 1975.
Location. 34° 52.253′ N, 117° 59.42′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is on Rosamond Boulevard 10 miles east
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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: F-104A Starfighter (within shouting distance of this marker); F-105D Thunderchief (within shouting distance of this marker); TF-102A Delta Dagger (within shouting distance of this marker); F-106B Delta Dart (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101B Voodoo (within shouting distance of this marker); YF-100A Super Sabre (within
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012
2. YC-15 and Marker
More about this marker. New in 2024 - Visitors are no longer allowed to take photos at Century Circle.
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, Century Circle
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012
3. YC-15 Aircraft
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012
4. Sign at Display
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012
5. Century Circle
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2018
6. Groundbreaking for New Museum
Because of increased security, many historic displays inside Edwards AFB are no longer accessible to the public. This new museum will be open to everyone, just outside the West Gate.
courtesy US Air Force
7. YC-15 Test Flight
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 5, 2023
8. New Museum
Under construction near Century Circle.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,251 times since then and 28 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. 6. submitted on March 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on December 9, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on May 12, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
