Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lockheed F-104
Photographed By Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
1. Lockheed 104 Marker
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Lockheed F-104. . NASA Dryden operated a fleet of F-104 Starfighters between 1956 and 1994. These were used as chase aircraft, for pilot training and proficiency, and to practice X-15 approaches and landings. They were also configured to carry flight-test fixtures mounted on the fuselage centerline. Items to be tested were installed on the fixture, instrumented, and then flown to gather data. This F-104G was used to test space shuttle thermal protection tiles. With the tiles attached to the test fixture, it flew through simulated rain to study how moisture would affect them. The tiles were also flown on the fixture in a position similar to that on the orbiter to determine whether bonding used to secure the tiles was sufficient. This aircraft was delivered to the German Luftwaffe in 1964, acquired by NASA in 1975, and retired in 1994.
NASA Dryden operated a fleet of F-104 Starfighters between 1956 and 1994. These were used as chase aircraft, for pilot training and proficiency, and to practice X-15 approaches and landings. They were also configured to carry flight-test fixtures mounted on the fuselage centerline. Items to be tested were installed on the fixture, instrumented, and then flown to gather data. This F-104G was used to test space shuttle thermal protection tiles. With the tiles attached to the test fixture, it flew through simulated rain to study how moisture would affect them. The tiles were also flown on the fixture in a position similar to that on the orbiter to determine whether bonding used to secure the tiles was sufficient. This aircraft was delivered to the German Luftwaffe in 1964, acquired by NASA in 1975, and retired in 1994.
Erected by NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location. 34° 57.124′ N, 117° 53.334′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is at the intersection of Lilly Avenue and Walker Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Lilly Avenue. Located in front the Armstrong Flight Research Center.
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Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4800 Lilly Avenue, Edwards CA 93523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
