Lancaster in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Captain Glen W. Edwards, USAF
Aerospace Walk of Honor
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Captain Glen W. Edwards Marker
Edwards Air Force Base is named for Captain Glen W. Edwards who died in 1948 in the crash of a YB-49 Flying Wing experimental bomber he was testing.
As a pilot of an A-20 "Havoc" bomber during World War II, he flew more than 50 missions with the 86th Light Bomber Squadron. His squadron flew a total of 1 1 missions in a single day. One of the flights this day set a bombing mission time record of 19 minutes from takeoff to landing.
He was assigned to the Bomber Test Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, although most of his time was spent at Muroc, testing new aircraft such as Douglas' XB-42 "Mixmaster," the Air Force's first 400 mph bomber, and the XB-46 for which he was the Air Force's Chief Test Pilot. He set world speed records in both of these planes.
He was assigned to Muroc AFB as a project pilot to test a radical new bomber design, the Northrop YB-49 Flying Wing. On June 5, 1948, he was flying performance tests in the craft when it broke apart in the sky northwest of the base. All five crewmembers were lost.
In late 1949, Muroc AFB was renamed to honor this young pilot who had given his life to the cause of experimental flight research. Today, Edwards AFB carries on the tradition of his aerospace contributions.
Edwards
this page online
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° 8.641′ 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); Herman Richard "Fish" Salmon (here, next to this marker); Fitz Fulton (here, next to this marker); Max R. Stanley (here, next to this marker); Neil Armstrong (here, next to this marker); William H. Dana (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel Frank Borman, USAF
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 19, 2024
2. Captain Glen W. Edwards Marker
The marker is the one on the left.
Regarding Captain Glen W. Edwards, USAF. Edwards Air Force Base is 20 miles northeast of this marker. The YB-49 crash site, with a makeshift memorial, is 10 miles north of Edwards AFB.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - The YB-49 crash site / Glen Edwards memorial.
Also see . . . Aerospace Walk of Honor. City Of Lancaster CA website has a map of all 100 markers. (Submitted on July 11, 2025.)
courtesy USAF
3. Northrop YB-49 Flying Wing
With nearly the same dimensions as todays Northrup B-2 Stealth Bomber.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on July 16, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
