Palmdale’s Airpark Museums
By Charlie. Filed in History & Government |
Being an airplane buff, I just had to see the collection of the only two Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy planes on exhibit at the Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale, California. But, before I even made it to Blackbird, I came upon the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant number 42. There, I found that I could view an outstanding collection of aircraft flown, designed, tested, modified or produced at that plant.
The Airpark also includes, on static display, 14 retired military aircraft, plus a 1/8 scale model of the AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile, the B-2 Spirit, and various other components from various other aircraft. I was drooling at the fantastic collection that Plant 42 has. They even have an F-104 Starfighter, and I couldn’t believe just how sharp the wings are, I could almost cut a finger, they are that sharp! The F-104 was the first operational USAF A/C that achieved Mach 2 in level flight and the first to hold simultaneous world records for speed, altitude and time-to-climb. She’s a real beauty. I can’t help but think of the marching cadence that the Airforce came up about the F-104, I won’t go into how sexy it is, but the cadence might be found on the Internet.
Then I saw the scaled composites 143 Triumph, it’s a one-of-a-kind aircraft that was never put into production. But for me the cream of the crop was the B-52F Stratofortress, this is the only existing ‘F’ model in existence. Oklahoma City Fair Grounds was its previous home, it was trucked in many pieces and then reassembled. I’m telling you, this Joe Davies heritage Airpark brought tears to my eyes. I got to see planes up close and personal that I’d never be able to see anywhere else.
The next day, it was hard to check out of hotel. Palmdale seemed to be asking me to stay a bit longer to see what other aircraft exhibits might be here, but I just didn’t have the time find out, I was on my way to Edwards Airforce Base to see their collection of airflight testing planes.
Related posts:
Tags: blackbird airpark