Palmdale Plant 42 - PMD

[DaFalcon]

I agree about that door.  What about that black engine cowling?

[DaFalcon]

This was the only other plane I saw arrive - owned by the Air Force and according to this guy it's sometimes used to fly into Groom Lake.

[akradecki]

I agree about that door.  What about that black engine cowling?

That's anti-reflective paint, keeps the belly strobes from reflecting into the cockpit at night.

[gfydad]

Late this afternoon. BAC 1-11 401/AK. I think it may blong to Northrop.

Alan, thanks for the tip. Brian, next time I'll be the decoy and leave first. 

[Josh]

This was the only other plane I saw arrive - owned by the Air Force and according to this guy it's sometimes used to fly into Groom Lake.

He is correct, it's part of the Janet fleet and fly's to Groom from the Janet Terminal (Gold Coast) in Vegas operated by EG&G Special Projects Division. They also fly to other flight test ranges.

[akradecki]

Went out to 42 to shoot a test flight of the NASA Dryden DC-8, and while I was waiting for it to come in, an E-2C from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot a couple of approaches.

[akradecki]

Euro Hawk rollout today.

[Dragonskiss]

That's some wicked lighting there, Alan.  Love the contrasting colors.  Beautifully captured!

[Dragonskiss]

Absolutely stunning.  I'm sorry, I just had to say it.

[NikonGuy]

That's some wicked lighting there, Alan.  Love the contrasting colors.  Beautifully captured!

I must agree too.     

[Midnight Mover]

Ditto, great shot Alan

[akradecki]

Thanks! Michael Darcy was shooting this as well. We all got a bit frustrated, though, because very soon after this shot, they had some electrical glitches and the gorgeous lightshow crashed. They kept promising to re-set the lights, but I had leave before they ever did...Michael, did you get the shots you wanted?

[aim9xray]

Heads up:

"Boeing will move the flight test program for its delayed 747-8 aircraft to Moses Lake, Wash., and later to Palmdale, Calif., according to an Everett Herald report.

Typically, the company conducts flight tests out of Boeing Field, in Seattle.

The Herald said it obtained an email in which Boeing 747 and flight test program leaders announced the move of airworthiness tests on the first 747-8 Freighter to Moses Lake and additional testing on test planes two and three to Palmdale, Calif.

Tim Bader, Boeing's 747 spokesman, told the paper that, after announcing a delay of the plane's first flight from this year to early next year, Boeing had to move flight testing because of an overlap with the 787 Dreamliner flight test program."

[akradecki]

Heads up:

"Boeing will move the flight test program for its delayed 747-8 aircraft to Moses Lake, Wash., and later to Palmdale, Calif., according to an Everett Herald report.

WAY cool!

[sr-aeronut]

Hey Alan  Nice stuff!!  I Begged and stayed for the re-do Light show-- they were very nice to reset the stage!!