Curious on the backstory behind the photos? This is the place. You'll find not only write ups on local outings, but also reviews of major events I’ve attended.
End Of An Era: Erickson’s DC-7s
A look at Erickson’s iconic fleet of DC-7 tankers shortly after their retirement.
Erickson Aero Tanker is a company that has been at the forefront of aerial firefighting for decades. Founded by Jack Erickson, the company began as a helicopter logging company but quickly expanded into aerial firefighting.
Of the types operated by Erickson Aero Tanker fleet was the Douglas DC-7. The DC-7 was a workhorse of the skies, with an impressive range and the ability to carry up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant. These aircraft were used extensively by the US Forest Service, and were a regular sight over wildfires in the western United States.
One of the most recognizable DC-7s in Erickson Aero Tanker's fleet was Tanker 60, a Douglas DC-7B. This aircraft was originally delivered to Eastern Air Lines in 1958, before being converted to a fire fighting aircraft. Tanker 60 was one of the busiest aircraft in the fleet, fighting fires throughout the West Coast and beyond for decades.
However, as the fire fighting industry evolved, the use of large radial-engined aircraft like the DC-7 became less common. Turboprop and jet aircraft, such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and McDonnell Douglas MD-87, became the preferred choice for aerial firefighting due to their increased speed and range. Erickson Aero Tanker recognized this shift in the industry and began transitioning its fleet to newer, more efficient aircraft. Tanker 60 was retired in 2020, after an incredible 62 year career as MD-87s began to enter service to become the company's go-to LAT (Large Air Tanker) platform.
While the DC-7s have now been retired from Erickson Aero Tanker's fleet, the impact that they had on aerial firefighting cannot be overstated. These aircraft were an integral part of fighting wildfires in the western United States for decades, and they will be remembered for their reliability, strength, and the dedication of the pilots and crews who flew them.
Erickson Aero Tanker's DC-7s carry a rich history in the firefighting industry. As this industry continues to evolve, it is important to remember the pioneers who paved the way for the advancements we see today, and to continue to honor their legacy as we move forward.
Enjoy these photos I took at Madras Airport in Central Oregon back in 2021. As a bonus, I've thrown a couple extra photos in, including Erickson's stunning Neptune and an MD-80 bird that is used for spare parts to keep their MD-87 fleet going strong.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
A brief look into the history behind Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, also known as Carswell Field, is a military installation located in Fort Worth, Texas. The base was established in 1942 as a Consolidated Aircraft Corporation manufacturing plant, with the primary mission of producing B-24 Liberator bombers for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
After the war, the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command and became home to the 7th Bombardment Wing, where it continued to be used for production of aircraft. During the Cold War, the base played a critical role in deterring Soviet aggression as a key storage site for nuclear weapons.
In 1994, the base was renamed Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and now serves as a joint reserve base for multiple military units across different branches. Some of the units that are currently stationed at the base include the 301st Fighter Wing (F-16s), the 136th Airlift Wing (C-130Js), Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (F/A-18 legacy Hornets), Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (KC-130J), Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 59 (C-40 Clipper), and multiple other units. As you'll see in the photos, we'll occasionally also see transient traffic generally tech stopping for fuel on their way across the US.
One of the base’s biggest highlights for locals and visiting enthusiasts is the massive presence of Lockheed Martin, particularly the F-35 Lightning II program. Lockheed Martin takes up the entire west side of the base and uses it as a key location for the production of the F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that can be used for a variety of missions. The F-35 program is one of the largest military aircraft contracts in history and provides jobs for thousands of people in the area. In addition to the F-35, you'll also see foreign F-16s which are used to test and modernize the platform.
We are definitely spoiled to have such a variety of aviation to choose from in North Texas and it's easy to take the history that surrounds us at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth for granted. From manufacturing bombers during World War II to playing a key role in deterring Soviet aggression during the Cold War, this base has seen it all. Today, it serves as a vital base for multiple units, ensuring the safety and security of our nation.
Ruslan Rising
Another visit by the mighty Ruslan…
The mighty Ruslan departs DFW Airport in all its smoky loud glory! This Antonov Airlines An-124-100M-150 made a brief visit to Dallas/Fort Worth this morning before continuing on to Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility Airport (KTTS) down in Florida. No matter how many times I see it, it's always incredible to watch this enormous machine fly.
Bell Textron’s Floyd Carlson Airfield
Take a look at Bell Textron’s customer training airfield near it’s Fort Worth, Texas headquarters!
Established in 2018, the Floyd Carlson Airfield in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is a training ground for Bell Textron. Here, customers learn all the necessary procedures, from the critical to the normal to the emergency, and practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. If you happen to show up to the airfield on a weekday, you might just catch a glimpse of up to 5 Bell Textron helicopters at a time utilizing this practice field!
The Bell Training Academy has a long and storied history in the Fort Worth area. Since moving here in 1951, Bell has been responsible for some of the most iconic helicopters in history, including the Bell 47, the Bell UH-1 Huey, and the Bell 206 Jetranger.
The academy's fleet of helicopters is impressive to say the least. They currently offer training on the Bell 206, 407, 412, 429, and 505, each with their own unique set of capabilities and features. And with instructors who are not only highly skilled but also passionate about what they do, you get to see some truly impressive airmanship on display.
Beauty And The Beast
Two iconic quads departing DFW.
Beauty and the Beast. Nearly 9,000 nautical miles of travel tonight between these two giants as they depart DFW Airport!
The A380 is impressive but the 747 is still timeless for me. Which one do you prefer?
Dallas Love Field (June 18/20 2023)
A very interesting compliment of visitors at Dallas Love Field!
I often see Dallas Love Field as the hidden gem of the Dallas/Fort Worth area when it comes to interesting visitors and the week of June 18th was no exception.
The obvious highlight this week was the Vice President of the United States' campaign visit to Dallas. With the visit came two US Air Force C-40Bs of the 89th Airlift Wing out of Joint Base Andrews. One of these airframes, inconspicuously painted white, used the callsign "SAM2A." Upon further investigation, this particular airframe used to be based out of Rammstein Air Force Base with the 86th Airlift Wing. In 2019, the USAF decided to consolidate all of their C-40Bs to Joint Base Andrews under the 89th Airlift Wing. These Air Force Special Air Mission C-40Bs boast visible modifications, making them one of the most unique and capable 737s in the skies today!
Aside from the military traffic, there were also two sports charters making their way out of Love Field. The Toronto Blue Jays flew a rather tired looking Air Canada A320 to Miami to take on the Marlins, while the Texas Rangers headed to Chicago onboard "Kraft 1" to play against the White Sox. For those confused about the Texas Rangers baseball team flying on a New England Patriots jet, this particular air frame is operated by Eastern Airlines and during the NFL off-season is often used for various other charter jobs such as this.. Clear as mud?
The rest of the album contains various other aircraft with some more commonly seen at Love Field than others.
Enjoy!
The 2022 Reklaw Flying M Ranch Fly-In and Campout
Ever heard of Reklaw, Texas? Most haven't, and that's okay. The 379 residents probably prefer it that way, but it would be a crime to not shine a light on their incredible annual fly-in.
Have you ever been to Reklaw? If not, you're missing out on one of the most exciting events in general aviation. The Reklaw fly-in takes place every Fall at the Flying M Ranch Airport (7TA7) owned by Dave and Marcia Mason of Reklaw, Texas. Reklaw is about 140 miles to the SE of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and 147 miles NNE of Houston meaning it's in a favorable location for aviators far and wide. For a few days each Fall, the private grass strip welcomes aircraft owners, pilots and other aviation enthusiasts to the ranch.
For those who have been to Reklaw or who have seen media from the fly-in, you'll know that Reklaw features plenty of "runway clearing" low passes, good food, award ceremonies, and best of all, great people - many of which participate in Oshkosh-style camping next to their aircraft. The fly-in is also known to feature an impressive variety of aircraft in various sizes. In past years, aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-12, Antonov AN-2, Twin Beech, and even a North American P-51D Mustang have either flown into or over the event.
The Flying M Ranch's grass strip measures 3,500 feet in length and features a heck of a gradient as you'll see in the photos and never mind the fact that it has some pretty sizeable pine trees on each approach end! As you can imagine, this makes for some pretty exciting operations both from a pilot and spectator perspective. In addition to the runway challenges, it's also an uncontrolled event meaning that's on the pilots to see and avoid even while the event is at its busiest, and boy does it get busy!
In summary, the Reklaw Fly-In is a must-attend event for aviation enthusiasts and the 2022 edition was no different. People driving up and down the flight line on riding lawn mowers, tying their shoes in the middle of the runway, and holding up signs to egg on the pilots - you'll see it all at Reklaw! I think it's fair to say it's a wonderful event and simultaneously not for the faint of heart.
Be sure to be patient and make it to the end of this large album. Turns out the heat gets turned up as the night goes on! The 2023 edition this coming October will be the 38th year of the Flying M Ranch Fly-In and Campout and we look to be in for another exciting event.
SXM: The Caribbean Jewel Of Aviation
After 31 years, I finally visit the iconic Caribbean island of St Maarten!
Growing up as a total aviation nerd, I had always longed to visit the island of St Maarten to experience the thrill of watching planes take off and land over the iconic Maho Beach. Last month, I finally got the opportunity to witness this spectacle for myself, and it did not disappoint. However, what truly stood out for me was the sheer variety of aircraft that I witnessed over the span of 5 days despite it currently being the "low season" for tourists on the island.
Typically, you'll see the same set of aircraft across most US airports - the 737s, the A320s, the ERJ175s.. However, SXM Airport is different. It plays host to some more rarely seen and unique aircraft still in operation. As soon as I got off my plane, I was struck by the sight of planes that I had only seen in pictures before.
One of the first planes that caught my eye was the Fokker 70 operated by JetAir Carribean. This 80-seat regional jet was manufactured by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer, Fokker and only 47 were ever built since 1992.
Another plane that you see (VERY regularly) was the Britten Norman Islander. This aircraft is one of the most versatile in the world and is renowned for its ability to operate in harsh and remote environments. It's incredible short take off and landing performance makes it a popular choice for many local operators such as Anguilla Air Charters, Anguilla Air Services, Winward Express, and SXM Airways who perform both cargo and passenger flights between the many islands in the area.
The real aviation highlight of my trip to SXM Airport was my first glimpse at the ultra-rare Trislander, the three-engined cousin of the Islander. This is an aircraft that is almost impossible to see anywhere else in the world with only a handful still operating, which made the sight all the more special.
Between the 5 days I had the pleasure of visiting, I trekked to the French side of the island up north. There you'll also see some ATR action courtesy of French carrier Air Caraibes. Grand Case Airport is mere miles away from SXM and provides service to the beautiful surrounding beaches and resorts.
I could ramble on and on but it's as simple as this. If you are an aviation enthusiast, the island of St Maarten should definitely be on your bucket list. Between the perfect white sand beaches, world class food and booze at the Sunset Beach Bar, and the glorious variety of aviation you'll witness, the experience is truly unmatched by any other airport in the world.
You won't be disappointed!
Addison Airport 06/02/23
Aviation action at the Addison Airport on June 2nd, 2023.
A brief visit to the Addison Airport yielded some interesting traffic, with the highlight being a 1980 Lear 25D that had flown up from Conroe, Texas the day prior and a very rare 1978 Aerospatiale 341F Gazelle that was recently acquired by someone based at the airport. A few other goodies thrown in for good measure!
N287KB Leaves Storage
After nearly two quietly sitting on the Southwest corner of the McKinney National Airport, N287KB finally departs.
For the first time since September 2021, "McDonnell Douglas 287 Kilo Bravo" took to the skies at the McKinney National Airport (TKI.) The private MD-87 had been stored at the North Texas Airport since the death of its original owner, billionaire Ken Behring.
The 34 year-old airframe headed for the Miami Executive Airport (TMB) around 1 PM and appeared to be non-RVSM as it cruised at FL270 the entire way down.
My hope is that the aircraft has found a new home and is not on a one way journey to become beer cans.. Either way, it will be a bit odd now not seeing the familiar sight of the MD-87 sitting on the south end of TKI! Farewell Mad Dog.
Tango 01
A vibrant livery on this unique visitor to Love Field.
The delivery journey of Argentina's latest Presidential aircraft acquisition, a Boeing 757-256, registration ARG-01, commenced on Wednesday, May 17, bound for the capital of the South American nation. ARG-01 is pictured here sitting on the ramp at Dallas Love Field's Associated Air Center following a quick flight down from Salina, Kansas where it received maintenance work. Interestingly, the aircraft seems to have been christened "Islas Malvinas" (also known as the Falkland Islands) just behind the cockpit windows.
In April, C&L Aerospace, a subsidiary of C&L Aviation Group, successfully finalized the sale of this VVIP-configured Boeing 757 to the Argentine government. Under the agreement, the trade-in of the existing presidential Boeing 757 was included, along with a $25 million loan sanctioned by the Argentine government to finance the acquisition.
The newly acquired presidential aircraft is designed to accommodate up to 39 passengers and features a master suite along with two additional bedrooms. The previous Boeing 757-200, equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 engines, will be listed for sale by C&L "as-is."
As a result of the replacement, the previous Tango 01, which has been preserved at Palomar, the headquarters of the I Air Brigade of the Argentine Air Force, will be retired. Interestingly, the Mexican government offered its controversial Boeing 787, which is now owned by the government of Tajikistan, as part of the transaction.
Working Whirlybirds
A former TV star-turned heavy lifter and the new kid on the block both putting in work in the DFW area on the morning of May 16, 2023.
A fine morning of working whirlybirds in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex! Over half a century separate these two working airframes. First is the Bell 525 Relentless, a super-medium-lift helicopter still undergoing certification. It has a sharp employee-designed livery and was the third Relentless built. It spent some time side stepping up and down the taxiway at Bell's Arlington flight test facility.
Second was the venerable S-58, "Screaming Mimi" operated by aerial crane specialists 5 State Helicopters Inc just outside of the confines of the DFW Airport. Always a pleasure watching these true professionals operate so seamlessly in tight spaces. This particular S-58 was the star of the 1980s TV show Rip Tide. So wonderful to see it continue to earn its keep in 2023.
Dumbo: The DC-3 With Sea Legs
In Northern Maine you’ll find one of the most incredible variants of the DC-3 left in existence..
Greenville is a town located in Piscataquis County, in the US state of Maine. It's situated at the southern end of Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in the state. Greenville is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching...but did you know it's also home to an incredible one of a kind example of the iconic DC-3? Don't feel bad if you answered no - most don't.
During World War II, the US military needed an aircraft that could operate in a variety of environments, including areas without established airfields. In response to this need, the Edo Corporation designed and built a pair of twin, 1-ton floats that could be attached to a C-47. Each float was 42 feet long, five feet, eight inches wide, almost six feet high, and displaced 29,000 pounds of water. The cellular construction of each float had 14 separate water-tight compartments, and each float also had a 325 gallon fuel tank. The floats had fully retractable, hydraulic wheels, and could land on water, snow or land. The float rudders were connected to the air rudder, which allowed for control of the aircraft while in flight.
The DC-3A on floats located in Greenville, Maine is a rare example of this technology. The aircraft, which is registered as N130Q, was delivered to the US Army Air Forces in July of 1943 as a Douglas C-53D Skytrooper and served in a variety of roles before being converted back to a DC-3A standard and more notably, to a float plane by Dick Folsom in 1976. The floats used on the aircraft are the original Edo Corporation type, and the aircraft is believed to be the only Gooney Bird on floats left in existence.
While the floats allowed the DC-3 to operate in areas without established airfields, they also created a significant amount of drag and reduced the aircraft's speed. As a result, the aircraft was about 30 mph slower than its sisters without floats. Despite this limitation, a few C-47s equipped with the floats saw service in locations such as New Guinea, Alaska, and India.
Today, the DC-3 on floats can be found sitting imposingly at the Greenville Municipal Airport. Though it hasn't flown in years, it was only recently put back on floats in 2020 and there are rumblings that the operator intends to return it to its former glory. If we are lucky, we just may see "Dumbo" splashing around the local lakes and hopefully attending the annual International Seaplane Fly-In at neighboring Moosehead Lake, a once familiar sight.
Was an absolute pleasure walking around in the freezing cold and snow to capture photos of this iconic aircraft!
Enjoy.
From The Vault: The Hunter Hackney Caribou
This war horse is also a war hero, and unbeknownst to many, it sits in the restoration yard of the iconic Pima Air & Space Museum.
(Originally posted March 9, 2022)
Few know that behind the Pima Air & Space Museum are the remains of a historic USAF aircraft. On August 25, 1968, then Major Hunter F. Hackney flew 2 drop passes over the Duc Lap Special Forces camp in South Vietnam in support of US and ARVN troops. The drops delivered vitally needed ammunition through vicious concentrations of anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire in which Hackney's Caribou sustained severe battle damage. Major Hackney then flew the paralyzed aircraft to a nearby forward operating base Ban Me Thout. )Fully aware that the defenders of Duc Lap wouldn't be able to survive the night without further resupply, he then obtained this very Caribou and once again headed towards the fight, successfully dropping more supplies and again sustaining severe battle damage. The defenders of Duc Lap survived the siege which ended several days later. For his airmanship, bravery, and heroism, Major Hackney was awarded the Air Force Cross and the RVN Gallantry Cross with Silver Star. Another Caribou on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force was once painted as Hackney's aircraft, but this is the real deal.
Endangered Embraer: The Lineage 1000
With around 30 ever built, it was a pleasure to see the Embraer Lineage 1000, the corporate version of the Embraer 190 regional jet.
A rare Embraer Lineage 1000 made a welcome visit to Dallas Love Field this week! The Lineage 1000 is the business jet version of the Embraer 190 regional jet and is quite the rare bird with around 30 built.
Launched in 2006, the Lineage 1000 was advertised as an ultra large business jet that can comfortably seat 19 passengers. Unfortunately for Embraer, sales of the Lineage 1000 were fewer than expected with the onslaught of competing products such as the Global 6000, Falcon 7X, and G550s which also boast superior economics. As a result, in 2020 Embraer announced they would be discontinuing the Lineage 1000 and consolidating all its efforts into its Praetor and Phenom line instead.
This beautiful Lineage 1000 is owned by Los Angeles-based fashion designer James Perse and is seen here departing Dallas Love Field for Opa Locka, Florida after a short visit.
Imua One’s First Revenue Flight
Southwest Airlines latest special livery makes its first appearance and first revenue flight out of Dallas Love Field! A tribute to 5 years of Hawaiian operations by the once small intra-Texas airline.
A proud moment for those with Southwest Airlines as Imua One departed Dallas Love Field yesterday on its maiden revenue flight as SWA578 to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Imua One was painted up in Spokane, Washington a little over a week ago, and is dedicated to the people of Hawaii as a symbol of thanks 4 years into Southwest's service to the Islands. Below you'll find more information from Southwest Airlines on the background of the latest high flying paint job:
Imua is a rallying cry in the Hawaiian language that translates to an urging forward, and it underscores a key value at Southwest—Teamwork. And it’s fitting that our aircraft dedicated to our Employees and the Island communities is called Imua One, as this aircraft is a symbol of the partnership between the Hawaiian Islands and Southwest.
Osaki Creative Group, an Oahu-based agency, designed Imua One with the guidance of a Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner. Its distinctive design features eight elements that represent concepts in Hawaiian culture that also align with Southwest values. The aircraft design features stars for each of the five airports in Hawaii Southwest serves: Honolulu, Lihue (Kauai), Kahului (Maui), Kona (Island of Hawaii), and Hilo (Island of Hawaii); six paddlers in an outrigger bring to life the concept of Imua; and six turtles in two groups of three to represent harmony and balance. A lei near the nose of the aircraft honors the unique Islands through their official flowers. And, in keeping with the traditional and distinctive colors in our Southwest Heart livery, including bold blue, warm red, and sunrise yellow, a gradient transition from blue to yellow represents the evolution from night to day and honors the Hawaiian history of journeying the Pacific using wind, and following the guidance of the sun, stars, and moon to navigate.
The eight central visual elements of the Imua One livery hold significance in Hawaii and at Southwest:
Ohana (Family): Root in relationships.
Honu (Turtle): Move with perseverance.
Aina (Land): Find common ground.
Ama (Support): Connect to strengthen and balance.
Hoku (Star): Guide with purpose.
Kai (Ocean): Harness good energy.
Lokahi (Unity): Succeed with Teamwork.
Source: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Blog/Say-Aloha-to-Imua-One-an-Aircraft-Dedicated-to-Our-Employees-and/ba-p/158057?fbclid=IwAR1eXlvY8tZlOx6NMmvGMopmXLXn_HtzRMly_jeE_VEYnPXAPkvhDK9JWEo
Makos: Flare For The Dramatic
The Florida Makos of the 93rd Fighter Squadron put on a stunning demo at their home show and flares were not in short supply!
Nestled between Miami and the Florida Keys is the Homestead Air Reserve Base. The former Strategic Air Command base has multiple tenants including the Florida Makos of the 93rd Fighter Squadron. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the 2023 Wings Over Homestead air show, the first since the COVID pandemic.
This year's headliner was the USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team, but the highlight for me was none other than the home team, as the Makos put on an absolutely incredible fast paced Close Air Support demonstration each day involving four of their F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighters, more affectionately known as the Viper. The demo included a rare sight of flares being dispensed throughout the demo from all four jets and plenty of afterburner!
I will post more from the air show in due time, but for now, enjoy the shots of the 93rd FS!
From The Vault: 2021 Wings Over Dallas WWII Air Show
We revisit the 2021 Wings Over Dallas WWII Air Show!
This show was particularly tough to revisit considering the horrible tragedy occured at the 2022 show, with some of the aircraft and volunteers in the photos having been lost. I've also thrown together some new edits that have never been seen before. Below you'll find the original writeup:
One of the last air shows we try to attend each year is the Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas WWII Air Show which is held annually at the Dallas Executive Airport. The event always promises an extraordinary collection of flyable vintage aircraft, most of which are owned and operated by the CAF. This year's attractions included aircraft rides in a variety of historic aircraft, education day, living history, and an impressive daily air show.
In addition to CAF aircraft, this year's show included an additional P-40 Warhawk joining the fray courtesy of the local Cavanaugh Flight Museum and the Trojan Phlyers AirShow & Racing Team performing formation aerobatics with their T-28 Trojans.
The Commemorative Air Force's mission is to educate, inspire, and honor through flight and living history experiences. Events like Wings Over Dallas show the mission is still going strong 64 years after the organization's inception.
Thank you to all involved for a great show! We will certainly be back again next year.
Around The Metroplex: April 24-25
Activity around the Dallas/Fort Worth area between April 24-25.
It's been a cloudy but busy past 48 hours here in the Fort Worth, TX area. Yesterday at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport, we had two fairly rare Boeing visitors - one from 1961 and one from 2021! First to depart was "HOKU 808," a KC-135 making the long trek back to it's home at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mere minutes later, the much newer 737 MAX 10 taxied out as "BOEING 101" for a 7hr10m test flight over the Gulf of Mexico. Amazing that 60 years separate these airframes yet they still share many similarities, like that iconic Boeing cockpit/nose section.
Fast forward to this morning, and I made the quick trek down to the Fort Worth Meacham Airport and made it just in time to see two beautiful CH-53K King Stallions belonging to the Ironhorse of HMH-461 (Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina) prepping to depart. My first time seeing the relatively new King Stallion in the flesh! It's almost unsettling how clean these CH-53s are...! First to taxi out was "METAL 44" which first flew only 4 months ago followed by "IRONHORSE 12," which interestingly enough is the first King Stallion delivered to the USMC back in May 2018! Both headed east for what I assume is the trek back home to North Carolina after spending time at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Southwest Arizona.
The Endling: Stargazer
The final airworthy L-1011 takes flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port!
Around 80 miles Northeast of LAX is one of the most unique airports in existence, the Mojave Air & Space Port. This airport is home to many fascinating aviation companies, including Scaled Composites, Virgin Galactic, Stratolaunch, and the National Test Pilot School. Perhaps a lesser known tenant to some is Northrop Grumman's specially modified rocket-lobbing mother ship, Stargazer.
Stargazer is the last airworthy example of one of civillian aviation's most beloved flying machines, the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar. Before serving as a mother ship, Stargazer first started life with Air Canada in March 1974, flying for the airline until the early 1990s. Soon after, the airframe was purchased by the Orbital Sciences Corporation, an American company specializing in the design, manufacture, and launch of smalL and medium class space and launch vehicle systems for commercial, military and other government customers. The company decided to christen the Tristar launch platform as Stargazer. Since entering service as a mother ship, the airframe has changed hands, with Northrop Grumman purchasing Orbital Sciences in 2018, and thus inheriting the Tristar.
Stargazer has been primarily used to launch the Pegasus rocket, which has been considered the industry standard for boosting small payloads to orbit at lower cost, relatively speaking. Since 1994, Stargazer has launched over 45 Pegasus rockets (containing nearly 100 satellites) and performed many more lesser known missions, some involving the US military.
These days, Stargazer doesn't fly too often. In fact, the last time Stargazer had flown was when aviation enthusiasts were treated to its presence at the nearby Edwards Air Force Base Air Show back in October 2022. When I rolled up to the Mojave Airport on April 11th, I was just seeing if there was anything going on around the airport grounds, as it's one of the airports where you can see just about anything on any given day.
Imagine my shock when I heard "Lockheed N140SC Heavy requesting engine start" crackle from my scanner! I quickly relocated to the other side of the airport and as I was parking in my normal spot for departures, I heard the crew inform tower they would be informing over NINE approaches. Imagine my excitement hearing those words! I was about to get the rare privilege of seeing the world's last Tristar take flight for what I have to imagine was for crew currency purposes.
At around 10:24 AM, Stargazer was cleared for take off and the crew advanced the three 50,000-lb thrust Rolls-Royce RB211-524B4 turbofans, creating a symphony as it clawed its ways to the skies for the first time in nearly half a year. As the lighting was pretty much directly pointing down the runway, I opted to primarily go for photos of it on base and downwind legs to capture it as its most graceful, in flight!
I hope you enjoy the photos of this 50 year old stunner and hope the Northrop Grumman team receives more missions for iconic bird, as I'd imagine it will be the last of the 250 Tristars built to fly when it's all said and done. As a bonus, I've included a few aerial shots I got of Stargazer during my March/April mega trip around the US.
Stay tuned for a mega album to appear at some point of my travel adventures!
