JOE DAVIES HERITAGE AIRPARK AT PALMDALE PLANT 42
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- About Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42
- About United States Air Force Plant 42
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About Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42
The Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42 was dedicated at a groundbreaking ceremony on October 20, 1998. Located between 20th Street East and 25th Street East on Avenue P in Palmdale, this 26.4-acre Airpark celebrates the rich aerospace heritage of Palmdale.
Visitors to the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42 may view a collection of aircraft flown, tested, designed, produced or modified at United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale. The Airpark currently includes 14 retired military aircraft on static display plus a 1/8 scale model of the B-2 Spirit and various components from other aircraft. Additionally, a B-52, C-46 and T-33 are currently being restored and will be placed on static display in the near future. When fully developed, the Airpark will showcase over 40 retired military and civilian aircraft on static display.
The Airpark exists primarily because of volunteer support along with aircraft and material donations. When a plane is donated, Airpark volunteers disassemble the craft, transport it to the Airpark, and then restore it piece-by-piece before reassembling it for display.
Most of the restoration work is currently done in a 3,500-square-foot restoration shop donated by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. A second building measuring 15,750 square feet will eventually be used to house aerospace memorabilia exhibits. A future 5,000-square-foot visitors center will be built to house private donations accumulated by the City as well as a snack bar and gift shop.
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About United States Air Force Plant 42
Originally known as Palmdale Airport, the U.S. Army Air Corps used the airfield as a base during World War II from 1940 to 1946. Ownership was transferred to Los Angeles County in 1946 for use as a municipal airport, but the Cold War and a lack of suitable airspace in the Los Angeles basin created the need for an advanced development facility for the fledgling U.S. Air Force. In 1951, the U.S. Air Force purchased approximately 5,800 acres of land from Los Angeles County and established Plant 42 in Palmdale in 1953 as the premier production flight test installation in the world.
U.S. Air Force Plant 42 currently employs an estimated 9,000 aerospace workers, military personnel and civil service employees. The installation is uniquely situated to fully support the nation's newest and most advanced commercial and military aerospace systems like the B-2 Spirit, F-117 Nighthawk and the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Plant 42 is home to The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and Northrop Grumman. The Palmdale Regional Airport, owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, is also located on the property.
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Fascinating Facts About the Airpark and its Aircraft
- The F-100 at the Airpark was actually used as an Air Force Thunderbird during their Far East Tour in 1959.
- City of Palmdale and United States Air Force officials broke ground on the 26.4-acre Palmdale Plant 42 Heritage Airpark on October 20, 1998.
- The first plane at the Airpark was the F-100 Super Sabre, which was renamed "The Spirit of Palmdale" during the groundbreaking ceremony in 1998.
- The Victor Valley Economic Development Authority relinquishedcustody of the F-100 and F-105 and facilitated the transfer of theaircraft to the Airpark.
- About 600 people were employed on the F-100 program in Palmdale in the 1950s.
- The F-100 Super Sabre on display at the Airpark was once involvedin an unexpected low supersonic flyby during its first flight at Air Force Plant 42. The flight shattered all of the windows in the headquarters building.
- The F-104 Starfighter on display at the Airpark was used at Edwards Air Force Test Pilot School and was flown by our beloved Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" Riedenauer (USAF Retired), who passed away on April 23, 2007. Bob had recently served as the Chairman of the Aviation and Aerospace Commission and is listed as the aircraft pilot listed on the fuselage- a fitting honor. This aircraft may have also been flown by legendary aviator Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier. During the 1950s and 1960s, the F-104 was referred to as "the missile with a man in it."
- The F-105 Thunderchief on display at the Airpark was utilized in the extremely dangerous "Wild Weasel" role.
- The A-7 Corsair II on display at the Airpark was used for target practice at China Lake Naval Weapons Center prior to arriving at the Airpark.
- The C-46 Commando being readied for display was actually stationed at Palmdale Airport when the U.S. Army Air Corps used it as a base during World War II.
- The F-14 Tomcat on display at the Airpark was flown by the U.S. Navy to Plant 42 on September 28, 2006, readied for display by a U.S. Navy contractor on the Palmdale Regional Airport parking ramp, and then towed to the Airpark on October 11, 2006.
- The Airpark uses salvaged aircraft parts as decorative elements. For instance, the signage on the restoration building is attached to an aircraft refueling probe from an A-7 Corsair II.
- Unusual donations are always put to good use at the Airpark. The Palmdale Holiday Inn donated 40 mattresses to the Airpark, which have been used to help protect fuselages and aircraft parts during transport.
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