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

Inscription. 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. Marker is on Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east. Located at Century Circle, just outside the West Gate of Edwards AFB.

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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. 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 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.

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

YC-15 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

2. YC-15 and Marker

YC-15 Aircraft image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

3. YC-15 Aircraft

Sign at Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

4. Sign at Display

Century Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

5. Century Circle

Groundbreaking for New Museum image. Click for full size.

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.

YC-15 Test Flight image. Click for full size.

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 February 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 37 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.