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

Wen Painter

May 8, 1953 - April 21, 2020

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 19, 2023

1. Wen Painter Marker

Inscription. Wen Painter was a pilot who exemplified a dedication to community service on the ground and in the air.

Wen served as a NACA and NASA Dryden engineer for decodes, on projects that included the Northrop HL-10 lifting body, which helped develop the Space Shuttle. After retiring from NASA, Wen joined the staff of the National Test Pilot School at the Mojave Air & Spaceport where he trained pilots at Mojave and around the world.

During his flying career Wen earned multi-engine commercial pilot and flight instructor ratings and trained more than 100 pilots and taught Aeronautical Engineering at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo. He also volunteered his services to promote aviation by introducing youngsters to aviation through the (EAA) Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program, and as a founding board member of the Mojave Transportation Museum Foundation.

Like so many of American’s astronauts and aviation pioneers, Wen began his education in a one-room schoolhouse in the American Mid-West. He served in the USAF 1953-1957.

Erected by Mojave Air and Space Port.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration.

Location. 35° 3.333′ N, 118° 9.485′ W. Marker is in Mojave, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from the intersection of Airport Blvd and Sabovich Street when traveling north. Located in Legacy Park across from the Voyager Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mojave CA 93501, 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: Albert C. Hansen (here, next to this marker); Lt Col Richard Glenn "Dick" Rutan USAF (ret) (here, next to this marker); Voyager Aircraft / Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne Replica

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 19, 2023

2. Wen Painter Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Rotary Rocket Roton ATV (a few steps from this marker); William ‘Bill’ Deaver (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman (within shouting distance of this marker); Mojave Air & Spaceport (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Marine Corps Air Station (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mojave.

Also see . . . Former NASA flight test engineer, general aviation icon has ‘Flown West’. (Submitted on October 1, 2023, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California.)

Weneth “Wen” Dwane Painter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by (Courtesy photograph) Aerotech News

3. Weneth “Wen” Dwane Painter

Northrop HL-10 Lifting Body image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 26, 2023

4. Northrop HL-10 Lifting Body

Located at Edwards AFB, at the entrance to NASA/Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2023, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 1, 2023, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.