This is the third time I've been here but this is the first time it is open. The other times have been weekdays and this museum is only open on weekends. It's still worth coming here 24/7 because these rare and special aircraft can be seen quite well from the sidewalk outside the fence. In fact you can continue around the corned and head west along the fence line of the much larger museum next door - The Joe Davies Heritage Airpark - formerly the Palmdale Plant 42 Museum.
Blackbird Airpark is home to three very special vintage Lockheed airplanes that still belong to the USAF. They're on loan to the Edwards AFB Flight Test Museum. Flight Test is in the process of constructing a huge new museum at Edwards AFB West Gate. I'm not sure if they are going to move these birds over there but I hope so. It would get them out of the weather. They are currently outside in direct sunlight and it is taking its toll. Priceless airplanes should be kept indoors.
The first and definitely the most special is the Lockheed A-12 prototype #60-6924. This is the first airplane in the Blackbird family, before it was called the blackbird. This airplane flew 332 times for a total of 418 hours. It was only used for flight test and I am amazed that it survived. A lot of stuff had to be figured out with this airframe including the camera systems.
Also present is a veteran SR-71A model serial # 61-7973. This is a combat aircraft that flew many missions. She was retired in July 1987 after an accident at Middenhall England with at total of 1730 hours on her.
The U2 on display is an early model serial # 56-6721. It was the 28th U2 built and it was an A model. It was damaged when it was one year old by a belly landing and Lockheed rebuilt her as a two seat D model. Today she is the only surviving D model. I could look at these planes every day, I'm sure I'll be back.
"On The Road With Norm" is about travelling with friends and family and investigating history with passion. We like pretty much anything with an engine. Come along for the ride. Leave a comment. Please help out with a LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. It would help very much thanks.
4 окт 2024
