On February 9th, 2023 a group of fortunate DAFers drove up to Edwards Air Force Base for a 4 hours tour of the flight lines and the base museum. The DAF drivers and passengers first met several aircraft which flew in to General Fox field. We drove up to the base gate, which is the furure home of the unfinished off-base museum and a circle of Century fighters waiting patierntly in the sun for the museum to be finished.
The Air Force provided us with a Blue Bird bus and a guide, Mr. James Tucker, the base historian. We drove all over the base, starting with the original hangar, used for the 1st gas turbine aircraft testing in 1943. The hangar houses an amazing group of aircraft and engines. We also saw the Test Pilot School, the flight lines, the maintenance hangers (some open, some closed) and then ended at the on-base Museum. James Tucker narrated (without a mike or speakers) an entertaining history of what we were seeing (and not seeing) and never lost his audience. We also had the pleasure of Meeting George B. Welch, Director of the Air Force Flight Test Museum, who gave us the low-down on the many relationships the base keeps up with veterans, aircraft restorers, and librarians across the world.
All in all the whole day was a great as it could be. Our Club is fortunate to have Rick Shaw as a board member, as it was Rick's background as an Air Force major which gave him the edge in pushing for our visit and finally getting us admitted. Three cheers for Rick! And thank you for all the DAFers, chauffers and pilots, who made this such a memorable day.