Lancaster in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Herman Richard "Fish" Salmon
Aerospace Walk of Honor
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Herman Richard Fish Salmon Marker
Salmon was a natural as a test pilot. He was best known for his special ability to "out guess" troubled aircraft and to "feel" with the plane. Salmon was a specialist in structural integrity tests on fighter-type aircraft.
Born in 1913, Salmon took his first flight at age 14. By age 18 he was a licensed pilot. In the '30s, Salmon worked as a barnstormer, parachute stuntman, and race pilot. In 1940, he was hired by Lockheed to ferry Hudson bombers.
Soon he was promoted to engineering flight tests. He did the P-38 spin tests, the B-17 dive tests, and tested the F-90, and F-94C at Edwards AFB. As Lockheed's chief engineering test pilot, Salmon flew the first flights of the P-3 Orion, the Electra Prop Jet Transport, the Starfighter, the XFV-1 Pogo Vertical Flyer, and the modified F-80 equipped with ram jets on the wing tips. He flew certification tests on the 649 Constellation and the 1049 Super Constellation.
Salmon retired from Lockheed in 1978 but did not retire from the air. He continued to teach flight crews and ferry aircraft. He was hired to ferry a Super Constellation from Columbus, Indiana to Alaska in 1980. During take off, the aircraft lost power and crashed. Salmon, his flight engineer, and a passenger were killed. He had logged more than 12,000
this page online
Salmon was honored by the Goodyear Trophy for Speed Competition, the Kitty Hawk Memorial Award, the Billy Mitchell Award, and the Aerospace Walk of Honor.
Established in 1990 by the Lancaster City Council, the Aerospace Walk of Honor celebrates test pilots who were associated with Edwards AFB. Recognition is awarded for distinguished aviation careers marked by significant and obvious achievements beyond one specific accomplishment.
Erected by City of Lancaster.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.
Location. 34° 41.85′ N, 118° 8.64′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Lancaster Boulevard east of Fern Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the Lancaster Performing Arts Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 750 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster CA 93534, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the High Desert, and in the Transverse Ranges. 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 walking distance of this marker: Pete Everest (here, next to this marker); Captain Glen W. Edwards, USAF (here, next to this marker); Max R. Stanley (here, next to this marker); Neil Armstrong (here, next to this marker); Fitz Fulton (here, next to
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 19, 2024
2. Herman Richard "Fish" Salmon Marker
The marker is the one on the right, and on the other side is the plaque honoring Neil A. Armstrong.
Also see . . . Aerospace Walk of Honor. City Of Lancaster CA website has a map of all 100 markers. (Submitted on July 10, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
