Edwards AFB, California

Previous Page Return to California Master Index Page Next Page

Click on Flags to Navigate

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum
95 ABW/MU
405 S. Rosamond Blvd.
Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1032
Phone: (661) 277-8050
View Map

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum
Photo by John Shupek

Overview

Edwards Air Force Base is indeed the Birthplace of Supersonic Flight, for it was here (then Muroc Air Force Base) in October 1947 that Captain Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager blasted through the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 and ushered in the supersonic age. Yeager was soon followed by other courageous men who would dare to fly into unexplored regions in that laboratory in the sky above the high desert. There, for the first time, they would pilot their craft past Mach 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and up above 100, 200, 300 thousand feet-and into near space. For almost six decades, Edwards has been the world's premier flight testing and flight research center. Much of this exciting history is now preserved and displayed in the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) Museum.

The original museum opened in 1994 and hosted over 65,000 visitors before moving to a new facility in July 2000. The new 12,000 sq. ft. museum houses exhibits covering such diverse subjects as the formation of the ancient lakebeds, early homesteading, the first military uses of Edwards, flight testing during WWII, breaking the sound barrier, aviation records set at Edwards, testing the X-15, and the story of Glen Edwards, for whom the base was named. Other exhibits include aircraft hardware, personal memorabilia, aviation fine art and photography, and models. A museum centerpiece is the historical mural "Golden Age of Flight Test," a 10 foot by 20 foot painting by noted aviation artist Mike Machat.

Aircraft on display inside the museum building include the F-16B, an NA-37B, an AQM-34 Firebee drone, the X-25B concept demonstrator, and a full-scale replica of the Bell X-1. Propulsion exhibits include the YJ93 which powered the massive XB-70, and rocket engines used on the X-1, D-558-II, X-15, and the NF-104. Museum visitors can learn about the past, present, and future of flight testing in the museum's theater, and souvenirs can be purchased in the small, but well-stocked gift shop.

Currently, 16 of the museum's aircraft are displayed outdoors in the museum's airpark. They include the B-52D, CH-3E, F-84F, F-101B, F-104A, F-105D, F-111A, H-34, NF-4C, SR-71A, T­28B, T-33, T-39, UC 45, YA-7D,and Gloster Meteor. Another seven are mounted on pedestals around the base, including the F-16B, F-86E, F-104A, NF-104A, P-59B, T-33A, and T­38A. Eventually, museum visitors will view a number of other rare aircraft on display. These include the first T-46; prototypes of the A-7F, A 9, A-10B, F-4E, and F-94; one of only two PA-48 Enforcers; the first production C-141; and a number of other one-of-a-kind aircraft.

The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Sunday, Monday, and federal holidays. Admission is free. Currently, due to security restrictions, the museum is only open to those individuals with official business on Edwards AFB or individuals attending a tour through public affairs.

Inventory