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Ryan Gilmore's Aerospace Photo Galleries

Desert Wrecks Galleries

Cessna 180 N2882A Adelanto : On January 31, 2005 a Cessna 180 crashed on final to Adelanto Airfield killing the pilot. I located the site on August 22, 2009 and found there to be less then 1% (actually two pieces) of wreckage. There was two memorial crosses placed at the impact site.

Cessna 180 N2882A Adelanto

On January 31, 2005 a Cessna 180 crashed on final to Adelanto Airfield ...

Updated: Aug 22, 2009 1:31pm PST

RQ-1L #94-3005 El Mirage : On October 4, 2000 a RQ-1L Predator drone flying out of Grey Butte crashed after techincal problems commanded the aircraft to a full trailing edge up on the tailplanes sending it into a series of stalls leading to impact. I located the site on August 22, 2009 and found there to be less then 1% remaining.

RQ-1L #94-3005 El Mirage

On October 4, 2000 a RQ-1L Predator drone flying out of Grey Butte cra ...

Updated: Aug 22, 2009 1:19pm PST

Fourth Trip X-2 :

Fourth Trip X-2

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 7:42pm PST

F-22A Crash NE of Kramers :

F-22A Crash NE of Kramers

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 2:03pm PST

A-4M North of Twenty Nine Palms :

A-4M North of Twenty Nine Palms

Updated: May 07, 2009 3:08pm PST

Unknown A-4 :

Unknown A-4

Updated: May 07, 2009 2:40pm PST

North Of George AFB F-100D : On 11-Oct-1960 a F-100D #56-3115 piloted by 1stLt. Robert William Curfman crashed on final approach to George AFB after completing a night time refueling mission. The pilot recieved fatal injuries. I visited this site on 4/30/09.

North Of George AFB F-100D

On 11-Oct-1960 a F-100D #56-3115 piloted by 1stLt. Robert William Curf ...

Updated: Apr 30, 2009 1:35pm PST

Unknown F-104 Palmdale Dump :

Unknown F-104 Palmdale Dump

Updated: Apr 27, 2009 3:48pm PST

F-104C Phelan : On the 26th of July 1966 a F-104C #56-0903 flying out of George AFB crashed near the desert community of Phelan after experiencing a malfunction. The pilot Major Loyld E. Lewis ejected with minor injuries. I visited this micro site on 4/26/09.

F-104C Phelan

On the 26th of July 1966 a F-104C #56-0903 flying out of George AFB cr ...

Updated: Apr 27, 2009 3:37pm PST

AV-8B Ridgecrest : On 9/24/1994 a AV-8B #162966 crashed near the town of Ridgecrest after taking off from China Lake. The pilot ejected and survived. This particulat AV-8B was the Night Attack prototype which first flew on 26 July 1987 at China Lake. I visited this wreck on 4/24/09. A interesting moment was had by me when a pair of AV-8s took off and flew right over me while I was at the site.

AV-8B Ridgecrest

On 9/24/1994 a AV-8B #162966 crashed near the town of Ridgecrest after ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 5:48pm PST

QF-86F Faller : On 8/13/1979 a QF-86F piloted by LCDR Theodore "Ted" Faller crashed on takeoff after experiencing a engine fire. Ted Faller realizing he was going to crash stayed with the aircraft and narrowly avoided hitting a elementary school. The Sabre hit the desert floor gear up and slid over 500 feet. Ted Faller could not get out of the flaming aircraft in time to save his own life most likely due to a back injury. The elementary school has been renamed in his honor. I visited this somber micro micro site on 4/24/09.

QF-86F Faller

On 8/13/1979 a QF-86F piloted by LCDR Theodore "Ted" Faller crashed on ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2009 2:30pm PST

Ballarat A4D-1 : On June 16th, 1957 a USMC A4D-1 piloted 2Lt. Don M. Gomez experienced engine trouble and crashed in Panamint Valley with fatal results. 2Lt. Gomez was on a training flight out of El Toro Marine Air Station.

Ballarat A4D-1

On June 16th, 1957 a USMC A4D-1 piloted 2Lt. Don M. Gomez experienced ...

Updated: Dec 14, 2008 11:14pm PST

JF-100A #53-1654 Death Valley : On 22 October 1956 civilian test pilot Robert J. Denn ejected successfully after experiencing an engine fire.

JF-100A #53-1654 Death Valley

On 22 October 1956 civilian test pilot Robert J. Denn ejected successf ...

Updated: Dec 14, 2008 4:56pm PST

F-4E #68-0512 Shoshone : On 13th of June 1990, a F-4E piloted by Major M. McGann and his navigator Capt. Thomas M. Steed crashed north of the town of Shoshone. Both crewman died in the incident.

F-4E #68-0512 Shoshone

On 13th of June 1990, a F-4E piloted by Major M. McGann and his naviga ...

Updated: Dec 14, 2008 9:38am PST

QF-86F North of Trona : On 28th of March 1990, Lt. Mark A. Prusinki died when his QF-86F crashed north of Trona.

QF-86F North of Trona

On 28th of March 1990, Lt. Mark A. Prusinki died when his QF-86F crash ...

Updated: Dec 13, 2008 11:43pm PST

Shoshone SR-71A Trip #2 :

Shoshone SR-71A Trip #2

Updated: Dec 13, 2008 5:07pm PST

F-100C #54-2040 near Kramer Junction : On the 20th of May 1957 1Lt. James E. Wesselman ejected after aircraft malfunction. The aircraft had been involved in a target towing mission.

F-100C #54-2040 near Kramer Junction

On the 20th of May 1957 1Lt. James E. Wesselman ejected after aircraft ...

Updated: Nov 08, 2008 4:45pm PST

Kramer Hills C-47 : Crashed on 12/3/1948 in the Kramer Hills in bad weather.

Kramer Hills C-47

Crashed on 12/3/1948 in the Kramer Hills in bad weather.

Updated: Nov 06, 2008 3:04pm PST

F-86F Lucerne Valley : North American F-86F

F-86F Lucerne Valley

North American F-86F

Updated: Oct 21, 2008 4:38pm PST

B-57B #52-1494 : On the 8th of Feburary 1955, the second B-57B built crashed north of Apple Valley while on a test flight out of Edwards AFB. The crewmen, Capt. Anderson B. Honts and Nobuo R. "Bob" Sunada, both died in the incident.

B-57B #52-1494

On the 8th of Feburary 1955, the second B-57B built crashed north of A ...

Updated: Oct 21, 2008 4:00pm PST

TF-80C #49-0858 Lucerne Valley : On the 12th of Feburary 1958, a TF-80C piloted by Inspector General Col. Emery H. Montgomery crashed north of Lucerne Valley with fatal results.

TF-80C #49-0858 Lucerne Valley

On the 12th of Feburary 1958, a TF-80C piloted by Inspector General Co ...

Updated: Oct 21, 2008 3:26pm PST

A2D-1 #125480 Skyshark : On the 5th of August 1954, a A2D flown by Douglas Test pilot George Jansen crashed SE of Edwards AFB after a gearbox failure. Jansen ejected safely.

A2D-1 #125480 Skyshark

On the 5th of August 1954, a A2D flown by Douglas Test pilot George Ja ...

Updated: Oct 16, 2008 3:44pm PST

P-38 #42-103986 Grey Butte : On 17-Jan-1943, 2nd. Lt. Robert Sliske crashed his P-38J after completing some dive bombing practice. The aircraft crashed with great speed from a descent from 10,000ft. There was no chance of survival.

P-38 #42-103986 Grey Butte

On 17-Jan-1943, 2nd. Lt. Robert Sliske crashed his P-38J after complet ...

Updated: Oct 14, 2008 1:50pm PST

YF-4E #63-7445 North of California City : On 10/16/1972, the YF-4E piloted by Lt. Col. Joseph Waters crashed northeast of California City. Both Lt. Col. Waters and Capt. John Evans died in the accident. I visited the site on 9/22/2008. The debris is spread over a large area that has seen lots of offroad activity use.

YF-4E #63-7445 North of California City

On 10/16/1972, the YF-4E piloted by Lt. Col. Joseph Waters crashed nor ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 7:01pm PST

JF-101B #56-0237 North of Edwards AFB : On 11/16/1959, McDonnell test pilot Donald H. Stuck ejected from his JF-101B Voodoo east of California City. Mr. Stuck was testing pitch-up recovery techniques when he lost control of the aircraft. Due to a malfunction of the ejection system Mr. Stuck had to eject through the canopy resulting in serious injury. I visited this site on 9/22/2008 after two failed attempts to locate this wreck site. Very littel remained of this incident and it was spread out over a large area.

JF-101B #56-0237 North of Edwards AFB

On 11/16/1959, McDonnell test pilot Donald H. Stuck ejected from his J ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 6:14pm PST

T-33A #57-0549 North of Edwards AFB : On 1/17/1972, A T-33A piloted by Capt. Timothy O. Westover crashed north of Edwards AFB in the spin range. Capt. Westover and Lt. Byron L. Duff ejected safely from the aircraft. I visited the site on 9/22/2008.

T-33A #57-0549 North of Edwards AFB

On 1/17/1972, A T-33A piloted by Capt. Timothy O. Westover crashed nor ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 5:30pm PST

F-111A #65-5703 North of Edwards AFB : On 9/11/1972, a F-111A piloted by Major Charles P. Winters crashed east of California City. Major Winters lost control of the aircraft in the spin range during spin recovery testing. Both crewman eject safely and the entire incident was captured on film. I visited the site on 9/22/2008 after a previous failed attempt. The debris is widely scattered and mostly removed.

F-111A #65-5703 North of Edwards AFB

On 9/11/1972, a F-111A piloted by Major Charles P. Winters crashed eas ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 5:10pm PST

F-104C #56-0922 North of Edwards AFB : On 11/22/1968, Maj. Kermit L. Haderlie crashed north of Edwards AFB on a zoom mission in a ARPS F-104C. Major Haderlie reached over 69,400 feet when he experienced difficulties resulting in his lossing control of the aircraft. At 6,000 the aircraft broke up impacting the desert floor in many locations and resulting in the death of Major Haderlie. I visited this site on 9/22/08 and was able to locate the fuselage and engine impact areas. The debris field was spread over a half mile area.

F-104C #56-0922 North of Edwards AFB

On 11/22/1968, Maj. Kermit L. Haderlie crashed north of Edwards AFB on ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 4:55pm PST

Unknown F-100A North of George AFB :

Unknown F-100A North of George AFB

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 4:21pm PST

F-104C #56-0920 Capt. Joe Nevers : On 9/20/08, I was able to locate the crash site for a F-104C that was piloted by Capt. Joseph R. Nevers that crashed near George Air Force Base on 10/10/1962. Capt. Nevers ejected safely and continued on to Vietnam flying F-104s. It was a nice micro site and many parts had the prefix 76.

F-104C #56-0920 Capt. Joe Nevers

On 9/20/08, I was able to locate the crash site for a F-104C that was ...

Updated: Sep 20, 2008 2:28pm PST

XB-70 Second Trip :

XB-70 Second Trip

Updated: Sep 16, 2008 2:58pm PST

F-100D ZeLL :

F-100D ZeLL

Updated: Sep 16, 2008 2:19pm PST

X-31 : On 1/19/1995, Karl-Heinz Lang ejected from the X-31 north of Edwards Air Force Base. The wreck site is completely cleaned up. I visited the site on 5/27/08.

X-31

On 1/19/1995, Karl-Heinz Lang ejected from the X-31 north of Edwards A ...

Updated: Sep 12, 2008 4:21pm PST

Re-visit to X-15, X-2, and climb of Kramer Hills Highpoint : On 9/12/2008, I revisited the X-15(2nd time) and X-2(3rd time) sites. I also hiked up the Kramers Hills Highpoint to get a vantage point on Edwards Air Force Base. On the way to Kramer Hills I saw a F-22 flying at supersonic speeds directly overhead. It left quite a boom after it passed.

Re-visit to X-15, X-2, and climb of Kramer Hills Highpoint

On 9/12/2008, I revisited the X-15(2nd time) and X-2(3rd time) sites. ...

Updated: Sep 12, 2008 1:49pm PST

EA-3B and P-38 West of Palmdale : The P-38 crashed on 6/18/44 and the EA-3B crash landed on 9/10/62. I visit these micro sites on 8/2/08. Here is a link to Pat Machas site for a much better description of the site then I could piece together. http://www.aircraftwrecks.com/pages/p38_ea3b.htm

EA-3B and P-38 West of Palmdale

The P-38 crashed on 6/18/44 and the EA-3B crash landed on 9/10/62. I v ...

Updated: Aug 02, 2008 4:15pm PST

F6F-5K Drone East of Palmdale : This Hellcat drone crashed east of Palmdale on 8/16/56 after Point Mugu lost remote control of it. F-89D's were scrambled to shootdown this loose drone but failed. I visited this micro site on 8/2/08

F6F-5K Drone East of Palmdale

This Hellcat drone crashed east of Palmdale on 8/16/56 after Point Mug ...

Updated: Aug 02, 2008 3:14pm PST

Joe McConnell's F-86H : On 8/25/54, triple jet ace Capt. Joe McConnell crashed a test F-86H north of Boron costing him his life. I visited the micro site on 5/27/08.

Joe McConnell's F-86H

On 8/25/54, triple jet ace Capt. Joe McConnell crashed a test F-86H no ...

Updated: May 27, 2008 5:20pm PST

F-101A North of Edwards : On March 28, 1956, the second production F-101A #53-2419 crashed north of Edwards Air Force Base. I visited the micro site on May 27, 2008.

F-101A North of Edwards

On March 28, 1956, the second production F-101A #53-2419 crashed north ...

Updated: May 27, 2008 4:52pm PST

NB-57E northeast of Edwards Air Force Base : On June 23, 1971 a NB-57E flying out of Edwards Air Force Base crashed killing Major Donald L. Thurman and Captain David E. Diefenbagh. I visted the site on 5/15/08.

NB-57E northeast of Edwards Air Force Base

On June 23, 1971 a NB-57E flying out of Edwards Air Force Base crashed ...

Updated: May 16, 2008 4:20pm PST

X-10 #308 : X-10 #19308 was the second one built and crashed in July of 1954 northeast of Edwards Air Force Base. I was able to visit the wreck on 5/15/08. It is a micro site just like the other X-10. Still it was a great day with an F-22 dogfighting a F-16 above me. Also visited the NB-57E wreck that is nearby.

X-10 #308

X-10 #19308 was the second one built and crashed in July of 1954 north ...

Updated: May 16, 2008 3:05pm PST

Harper Dry Lake YF-104A : On 5/1/57 Lockheed Test Pilot John Simpson had to eject out of his YF-104A #55-2962. I visited the site on 5/7/08. I believe this was the tenth Starfighter ever built.

Harper Dry Lake YF-104A

On 5/1/57 Lockheed Test Pilot John Simpson had to eject out of his YF- ...

Updated: May 07, 2008 7:05pm PST

Boron JF-104A : On 9/22/66 Capt. Claude Segrest ejected from his JF-104A while flying a test mission out of Edwards Air Force Base. I visited the site on 5/7/08.

Boron JF-104A

On 9/22/66 Capt. Claude Segrest ejected from his JF-104A while flying ...

Updated: May 07, 2008 7:00pm PST

Cuddeback T-33A : On 2/24/58 T-33A #51-8956 flying out of Edwards Air Force Base crashed four miles south of Atolia killing both crewman. The aircraft was involved in a spin test when the incident occurred. I visited this site on 5/7/08.

Cuddeback T-33A

On 2/24/58 T-33A #51-8956 flying out of Edwards Air Force Base crashed ...

Updated: May 07, 2008 3:51pm PST

North American X-10 #19311 : X-10 #19311 crashed in July of 1954 during the seventh mission of the program. I visited the site on 5/5/08. The Space Shuttle and XB-70 programs own much to the X-10 program. In it's day only the F-104 was able to out fly it in speed for a turbojet powered aircraft. It also has the distinction as being the first Mach 2 unmanned controlled aircraft.

North American X-10 #19311

X-10 #19311 crashed in July of 1954 during the seventh mission of the ...

Updated: May 06, 2008 6:21am PST

Shoshone SR-71A : On 12-18-1969 SR-71A 61-7953 suffered a pitch up and lost of control near the town of Shoshone. Pilot Col. Joe Rodgers and RSO Maj. Gary Heidelbaugh ejected safely. I visited the crash site on April 28, 2008. Little fragments remain of this Blackbird, the fourth SR-71A built.

Shoshone SR-71A

On 12-18-1969 SR-71A 61-7953 suffered a pitch up and lost of control n ...

Updated: Apr 28, 2008 6:51pm PST

Yeager's NF-104A : On 12/10/1963 Chuck Yeager had to punch out of his NF-104A after rocketing to over 104,000 feet. I visited the wreck site on 3/25/08.

Yeager's NF-104A

On 12/10/1963 Chuck Yeager had to punch out of his NF-104A after rocke ...

Updated: Mar 25, 2008 4:53pm PST

Bell X-2 : On 9/27/1956, Mel Apt became the first person to pass Mach 3 in the Bell X-2. While flying at Mach 3 Mel Apt lost control of the X-2 and crashed resulting in fatal injuries. I visited the site on 3/25/08 and found there to be nothing remaining of the wreckage.

Bell X-2

On 9/27/1956, Mel Apt became the first person to pass Mach 3 in the Be ...

Updated: Mar 25, 2008 3:55pm PST

YF-89D : On 10/20/53 the YF-89D crashed north of Edwards after a rocket test firing mission. Both crewman, test pilot Walter P. Jones and radar operator Jack Collingsworth died in the accident. I visited the site on 3/5/08.

YF-89D

On 10/20/53 the YF-89D crashed north of Edwards after a rocket test fi ...

Updated: Mar 05, 2008 12:56pm PST

Mojave B-1A : 8/29/84 Rockwell B-1A crashed northeast of Edwards on a mission testing equipment for the B-1B program. The crash resulted in the death of one crewman Tommie D "Doug" Benefield. I visited the site on 3/5/08. I did find one piece that had the L5 prefix which was used on B-1's.

Mojave B-1A

8/29/84 Rockwell B-1A crashed northeast of Edwards on a mission testin ...

Updated: Mar 05, 2008 12:25pm PST

Sunday Peak B-24J : 3/3/08 took a quick trip on to the B-24J crash at Sunday Peak. It was a beautiful day and the hiking was nice. I wanted to do a different approach to the site then Joe Idoni, hoping that I would find new wreckage. The route I was going do is covered in No Trespassing signs. I gave up on that idea and took Joe's route up and quickly reached the wreck site. Did a couple of nearby slopes to see I could find some larger stuff. Did find 50. cal. shells with 1943 dates made in St. Louis and also M T which I don't know where that refers too. Did find little impact site with molten aluminum rocks. Also came across the tail end of an old bomb, though I am not good at identifying such things. It was a interesting micro site overall. I also located the boot heel that Joe found and it really made me think about those ten men that were lost that night on 1/3/44.

Sunday Peak B-24J

3/3/08 took a quick trip on to the B-24J crash at Sunday Peak. It was ...

Updated: Mar 03, 2008 1:48pm PST

XB-70 Mud Hills : Recent trip to the XB-70 crash site, something I have wanted to do for over twenty years! Just found a few little fragments. Did a large 3-4 miles hike in the surrounding country and found nothing outside of the main impact zone.

XB-70 Mud Hills

Recent trip to the XB-70 crash site, something I have wanted to do for ...

Updated: Feb 25, 2008 4:38pm PST

X-15 and YB-49 Trip : Wreck finding trip to the X-15 and YB-49 Flying Wing

X-15 and YB-49 Trip

Wreck finding trip to the X-15 and YB-49 Flying Wing

Updated: Feb 25, 2008 4:34pm PST

B-50D Shadow Mountains : On January 10, 1951, a Boeing B-50D numbered #48-070, flying out of Edwards Air Force Base to run some equipment tests slammed into the Shadow Mountains in bad weather killing all eight onboard. On February 25, 2008, I located the scattered wreckage in the rugged terrain of the Shadow Mountains. Pat Macha had told me that 15 or more years ago that the BLM cleaned up the area and that there wasn't much left of the wreck. I was not expecting to find much more then some scattered fragments tucked away in the class 2 rocky slopes that make up the range. This was my second trip to locate the wreck. As Macha had told me, there was not much left of this classic bird, but sure enough in the more rugged reaches of the mountain side there was fragments tucked away where BLM had not cared to go. The far majority of fragments were less then a few inches in size with a random foot long piece. I really wish I could have seen this wreck before the clean-up operation, it must have been outstanding. The entire time I was there I was thinking of the men that died that day. They were out making some simple tests when the weather quickly changed on them. The Mojave Desert being mostly flat has a few jagged peaks here and there just ready to rip a plane from the sky. May those who died that day rest in peace.

B-50D Shadow Mountains

On January 10, 1951, a Boeing B-50D numbered #48-070, flying out of Ed ...

Updated: Feb 25, 2008 4:24pm PST