Edwards AFB - Revision history

WikiSysop at 16:43, 29 August 2022

2022-08-29T16:43:31Z

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	[[Category:B-26K]]		[[Category:B-26K]]
	[[Category:US Military Invader Bases]]		[[Category:US Military Invader Bases]]
			[[Category:Edwards AFB]]

WikiSysop: /* Units */

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Units

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	==Units==		==Units==
	[[Air Technical Service Command]]		*[[Air Technical Service Command]]
	[[Air Force Test Center]]		*[[Air Force Test Center]]

	==Sources==		==Sources==

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Units

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	==Units==		==Units==
	[[Air Technical Service Command]]		[[Air Technical Service Command]]
			[[Air Force Test Center]]

	==Sources==		==Sources==

WikiSysop: /* Units */

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Units

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	==Units==		==Units==
			[[Air Technical Service Command]]

	==Sources==		==Sources==

WikiSysop: /* World War II */

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World War II

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	In 1943, a replica of a Japanese cruiser, nicknamed "Muroc Maru", was constructed in Rogers Dry Lake where it was used for bombing training until 1950.<ref>https://www.nps.gov/articles/rogers-dry-lake.htm Rogers Dry Lake, National Park Service, 1 December 2017</ref>		In 1943, a replica of a Japanese cruiser, nicknamed "Muroc Maru", was constructed in Rogers Dry Lake where it was used for bombing training until 1950.<ref>https://www.nps.gov/articles/rogers-dry-lake.htm Rogers Dry Lake, National Park Service, 1 December 2017</ref>

	[[File:Muroc Army Airfield.jpg\|thumb\|Muroc Field in 1945]]		[[File:Muroc Army Airfield.jpg\|thumb\|Muroc Field in 1945 showing a Douglas Invader parked in front of the hangar.]]

	===Postwar era===		===Postwar era===

WikiSysop: /* World War II */

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World War II

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	* Gary Army Airfield		* Gary Army Airfield

	Muroc was initially used for IV Bomber Command Operational Unit training. The 41st and 30th Bombardment Groups flying the B-25 Mitchell and the 47th Bombardment Group flying the A-20 Havoc trained at the station in early 1942. The training provided newly graduated pilots eight to 12 weeks of training as a team using the same aircraft they would use in combat. In 1942, the training mission was transferred to IV Fighter Command, with P-38 Lightning Operational Traning Unit (OTU) training for the 78th and 81st Fighter Groups. In 1943, the 360th Fighter Group and 382d Bombardment Groups were assigned permanently to Muroc for P-38 Lightning and B-24 Liberator Replacement Training (RTU) of personnel.<ref>Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, AL: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN\|0-89201-092-4}}.</ref>		Muroc was initially used for IV Bomber Command Operational Unit training. The 41st and 30th Bombardment Groups flying the B-25 Mitchell and the 47th Bombardment Group flying the A-20 Havoc trained at the station in early 1942. The training provided newly graduated pilots eight to 12 weeks of training as a team using the same aircraft they would use in combat. In 1942, the training mission was transferred to IV Fighter Command, with P-38 Lightning Operational Traning Unit (OTU) training for the 78th and 81st Fighter Groups. In 1943, the 360th Fighter Group and 382d Bombardment Groups were assigned permanently to Muroc for P-38 Lightning and B-24 Liberator Replacement Training (RTU) of personnel.<ref>Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, AL: Office of Air Force History. ISBN:0-89201-092-4.</ref>

	In the spring of 1942, the Mojave Desert station was chosen as a secluded site for testing America's first jet, the super-secret Bell Aircraft XP-59A Airacomet jet fighter. The immense volume of flight tests being conducted at Wright Field, in Ohio, helped drive a search for a new, isolated site where a "Top Secret" airplane could undergo tests "away from prying eyes." The urgent need to complete the P-59 program without delay dictated a location with good, year-round flying weather, and the risks inherent in the radical new technology to be demonstrated on the aircraft dictated a spacious landing field. After examining a number of locations around the country, they selected a site along the north shore of the enormous, flat surface of Rogers Dry Lake about six miles away from the training base at Muroc.<ref name="HIST" />		In the spring of 1942, the Mojave Desert station was chosen as a secluded site for testing America's first jet, the super-secret Bell Aircraft XP-59A Airacomet jet fighter. The immense volume of flight tests being conducted at Wright Field, in Ohio, helped drive a search for a new, isolated site where a "Top Secret" airplane could undergo tests "away from prying eyes." The urgent need to complete the P-59 program without delay dictated a location with good, year-round flying weather, and the risks inherent in the radical new technology to be demonstrated on the aircraft dictated a spacious landing field. After examining a number of locations around the country, they selected a site along the north shore of the enormous, flat surface of Rogers Dry Lake about six miles away from the training base at Muroc.<ref name="HIST" />

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World War II

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	Other World War II test flights included the Northrop JB-1 Bat.		Other World War II test flights included the Northrop JB-1 Bat.

	In 1943, a replica of a Japanese cruiser, nicknamed "Muroc Maru", was constructed in Rogers Dry Lake where it was used for bombing training until 1950.<ref>https://www.nps.gov/articles/rogers-dry-lake.htm~~\|title=~~Rogers Dry Lake~~\|publisher=~~National Park Service~~\|access-date=~~1 December 2017</ref>		In 1943, a replica of a Japanese cruiser, nicknamed "Muroc Maru", was constructed in Rogers Dry Lake where it was used for bombing training until 1950.<ref>https://www.nps.gov/articles/rogers-dry-lake.htm Rogers Dry Lake, National Park Service, 1 December 2017</ref>

	[[File:Muroc Army Airfield.jpg\|thumb\|Muroc Field in 1945]]		[[File:Muroc Army Airfield.jpg\|thumb\|Muroc Field in 1945]]

WikiSysop: /* World War II */

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World War II

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:00, 29 August 2022
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	Other World War II test flights included the Northrop JB-1 Bat.		Other World War II test flights included the Northrop JB-1 Bat.

	In 1943, a replica of a Japanese cruiser, nicknamed "Muroc Maru", was constructed in Rogers Dry Lake where it was used for bombing training until 1950.<ref>~~{{cite web\|url=~~https://www.nps.gov/articles/rogers-dry-lake.htm\|title=Rogers Dry Lake\|publisher=National Park Service\|access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>		In 1943, a replica of a Japanese cruiser, nicknamed "Muroc Maru", was constructed in Rogers Dry Lake where it was used for bombing training until 1950.<ref>https://www.nps.gov/articles/rogers-dry-lake.htm\|title=Rogers Dry Lake\|publisher=National Park Service\|access-date=1 December 2017</ref>

	[[File:Muroc Army Airfield.jpg\|thumb\|Muroc Field in 1945]]		[[File:Muroc Army Airfield.jpg\|thumb\|Muroc Field in 1945]]

WikiSysop: /* Units */

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Units

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	==Units==		==Units==
	~~1st Air Commando Group <br>~~
	~~[[1st Special Operations Wing]] <br>~~
	~~[[603rd Special Operations Squadron]]<br>~~


	==Sources==		==Sources==

WikiSysop: /* Ground research */

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Ground research

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	====Ground research====		====Ground research====
	~~[[File:Rocket sled track.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Lt. Col. [[John Stapp]] riding the [[rocket sled]] ''Gee Whiz'']]~~		Extensive aviation research was also conducted on the ground at Edwards. Two rocket sled tracks pioneered important developments and research for the Air Force. The first 2,000 ft track was built by Northrop Corporation in 1944 near what is currently the North Base. Originally intended to help develop a V-1 flying-bomb-style weapon that never left the drawing board, the track found use after the war as a test area for V-2 rockets captured from Nazi Germany in Operation Paperclip. Later, Lt. Col. John Stapp appropriated the track for his MX981 project and installed what was believed to be one of the most powerful mechanical braking systems ever constructed. His deceleration tests led the press to nickname him the "fastest man on earth" and the "bravest man in the Air Force".<ref name="HIST"/>

	Extensive aviation research was also conducted on the ground at Edwards. Two rocket sled tracks pioneered important developments and research for the Air Force. The first ~~{{convert\|2000\|~~ft~~\|adj=on}}~~ track was built by [[Northrop Corporation~~\|Northrop]]~~ in 1944 near what is currently the North Base. Originally intended to help develop a ~~[[V-1 (flying bomb)\|~~V-1]] flying-bomb-style weapon that never left the drawing board, the track found use after the war as a test area for [[V-2 ~~rocket]]s~~ captured from [[Nazi Germany]] in [[Operation Paperclip]]. Later, Lt. Col. [[John Stapp]] appropriated the track for his [[MX981]] project and installed what was believed to be one of the most powerful mechanical braking systems ever constructed. His deceleration tests led the press to nickname him the "fastest man on earth" and the "bravest man in the Air Force".<ref name="HIST"/>

	The results from the first track prompted the Air Force to build a second in 1948. Located just south of Rogers Lake, the {{convert\|10000\|ft\|mi km\|adj=on}} track was capable of supersonic speeds. Its first project was the development of the [[SM-62 Snark]] [[cruise missile]]. This track was so successful that an extension was constructed, and on 13 May 1959, the full {{convert\|20000\|ft\|mi km\|adj=on}} track was opened. After the [[United States Navy\|Navy]] had conducted research on the [[UGM-27 Polaris]] [[ballistic missile]], the track was used to develop [[ejection seat]]s that could be used at supersonic speeds. Though this program was a success, a budgetary review concluded that the track was too expensive to maintain and the track was decommissioned on 24 May 1963. Before it was closed, a trial run set a world speed record of {{Convert\|3.3\|Mach\|}} before the test car broke up. After it closed, the rails were pulled up to help straighten Lancaster Boulevard.<ref name="HIST"/>









			The results from the first track prompted the Air Force to build a second in 1948. Located just south of Rogers Lake, the 10,000 ft track was capable of supersonic speeds. Its first project was the development of the SM-62 Snark cruise missile. This track was so successful that an extension was constructed, and on 13 May 1959, the full 20,000 ft track was opened. After the United States Navy had conducted research on the UGM-27 Polaris ballistic missile, the track was used to develop ejection seats that could be used at supersonic speeds. Though this program was a success, a budgetary review concluded that the track was too expensive to maintain and the track was decommissioned on 24 May 1963. Before it was closed, a trial run set a world speed record of Mach 3.3 before the test car broke up. After it closed, the rails were pulled up to help straighten Lancaster Boulevard.<ref name="HIST"/>

	==Units==		==Units==