Air Force Flight Test Center Museum Edwards Air Force Base, California

Mailing Address

405 S Rosamond Blvd
Edwards Air Force Base, CA 93524

Street Address

405 S Rosamond Blvd
Edwards Air Force Base, CA 93524

Phone: 661-277-8050
Fax: 661-277-8051
Email:
Web: www.afftcmuseum.com

Museum Hours

Tues-Saturday; 9-5 pm

Admissions

'Free'
Subsequent to 11 Sept 2001, and in accordance with established security procedures, access to Edwards AFB is now limited to those individuals with official business on base. Specifically, the museum is open only to base personnel and individuals who have appropriate credentials to enter the installation. We apologize for any inconvenience. Visitors may, however, visit the museum during the twice-monthly base Public Affairs tours offered the first and third Fridays of each month. Call (661) 277-3512 for particulars.
Tours are free and begin at the “Century Circle.

Description

The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) Museum is an Air Force Field Museum operating within the guidelines of the USAF Heritage Program. Its mission is to collect, interpret, preserve, and display the material history of the AFFTC, Edwards AFB and its antecedents, and the history of USAF flight testing. There are currently 80 aircraft in the museum’s collection, with 32 on display (29 at Edwards and three at the AFFTC-managed Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale) and the remainder in storage or restoration. Other artifacts in the collection include aircraft propulsion systems, missiles, hardware, life support equipment, technical drawings, test reports, personal memorabilia, photographs, and wind tunnel models.

In an effort to make the museum’s collection more accessible to the general public, the base recently dedicated a major aircraft display adjacent to the Edwards AFB Main Gate. The “Century Circle” consists of the top portion of the old AFFTC air traffic control tower surrounded by the YF-100A, F-101B, TF-102A, F-104A, F-105D and F-106B; all examples of Century Series aircraft tested at Edwards AFB. This display is open to the public during daylight hours throughout the year. Exit California Hwy 14 at Rosamond Blvd and go East 10 miles.

History

Year Founded: 1986

The museum first opened in a small, interim facility on Edwards AFB in 1994. In 2000, a private, nonprofit organization, the Flight Test Historical Foundation, funded construction of a new 12,000 sq ft museum facility at Edwards. This facility includes 8500 sq ft of exhibits, a forty-seat theater, research library, gift shop, and administrative offices. Exhibits inside the new museum—opened on July 21, 2000—cover such diverse subjects as the formation of the ancient lakebeds, early homesteading in the area, the first military uses of Edwards, flight testing during WWII, breaking the sound barrier, high-speed flight, and the story of Glen Edwards, the base’s namesake. Other exhibits include aircraft, flight hardware, rocket engine, and model displays. 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 well-stocked gift shop.

Artifacts Collections

Aircraft, aircraft propulsion systems, missiles, hardware, life support equipment, technical drawings, test reports, personal memorabilia, photographs, and wind tunnel models.

Research Collections

·	Not at this time.

Library

not open to the public
Access: Students, Scholars, Staff Only, Members
Appointment required: True

Services




Tours

The museum conducts twice-monthly base Public Affairs tours offered the first and third Fridays of each month. Call (661) 277-3512 for particulars. Tours are free and begin at the “Century Circle.”

Programs

·	None at this time.

Staff

Frederick Johnsen, Director
Phone: 661-277-8050
Email:

Tony Moore, Museum Technician
Phone: 661-277-8050
Email:


Museum Type

History
Specialized

Governance

Governing Authority: United States Air Force



Click here to provide additional information or report incorrect data on this page.

By accessing the MuseumsUSA site, a user agrees not to redistribute the information found therein.

Museum Info courtesy of California Association of Museums.

This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.