Mojave Desert Aviation History Tour

This easy road trip stretches between Victorville and Palmdale shows where aviation evolved and was transformed in the Mojave Desert during the last half of the 20th century. Along the way, you'll see places like Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) formally George Air Force Base, El Mirage Dry Lake, aircraft boneyard, and several sites where well-known aircraft were and are still being built today.
To learn more about how to take this tour on your own, see our blog at www.BackRoadsWest.com/blog/mojave-desert-aviation-tour
#mojavedesert
#mojave
#aviation
#skunkworks

[@billyking7397]

Thank you for the tour. I left Lancaster In January 1961 to join the USAF. Lived In Lancaster since 1957. I returned to George AFB in January 1962 with two stripes on my arm and a wife. Retired from the Air Force in January 1981. Divorced and remarried. Thank you again for the great flashbacks to another time. BC

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're welcome! I would have loved to see what you saw in the 1960s.

[@ChiefThundermoon]

My dad and his uncles built the runway at Edwards,one of my great uncles was killed on that job,I was born in Mojave 1954.

[@denisehogarth5433]

My late husband was raised in Pamdale when his family moved there after his father started to work for Northrup. Interesting to see the same things my husband took me to see. Thank you for a trip down memory lane

[@bobcaruso1368]

Nicely done. I flew Weasels out of George in the '80s, worked at Rockwell and spent gobs of time at Plant 42 with B-1B, X-31 and AC-130U programs, supported multiple airshows at Edwards, tested weapons at China Lake and participated in over 20 Red Flags. It's actually a bit sad that the once proud combat home at George has turned into a trash hauler storage facility.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you and thanks for commenting. It would be great to hear some of your stories. I also lived in the Victor Valley in the '80s and saw lots of F-4E action in the skies. Living in St. George now, we hear the sonic booms in the distance when Red Flags are going on. I would have loved to be in your shoes to watch the airshows. In case you haven't seen it, you may also enjoy our tour of the ET Hwy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDWnWSgepl5rMk

[@joanncampbell2472]

I just have to say wow, thank you. Your tour, easy directions, specific info etc was so interesting. Without your easy directions, I wouldn't know where to begin to find all this great stuff. Great job!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks so much for the great comments! When you do go on the tour, enjoy the trip!

[@Kaledrums]

I grew up at Geroge AFB in the 80's Brought back a lot of great memories

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Cool. I drove all those roads in the '80s & '90s and are still firmly implanted in my memory. Thanks for commenting.

[@smesui1799]

Excellent presentation. Through and complete with plenty of well organized detail. Thank you, from a former aerospace engineer.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! And that's saying a lot from someone with your experience. Thanks for commenting!

[@craigerickson6308]

Spent 31 years of my life in the AV,was great growing up there. Couldn't pay me to live there now.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

That makes 2 of us! I lived in the Victor Valley for 35 years. Nice experience, but now living in Utah and not interested in visiting Calif much anymore due to over population.

[@edwardhanson3664]

Love this. I lived in Phelan through the 1980s.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! You probably saw Phelan Road grow like I did. I remember when the railroad crossing was put in between Phelan and I-15. I was 5.

[@michaelgallagher2663]

WOW!!! Great Show.. Thank You.

[@jeromehoudeshell2666]

Watching this video sure brings back fond memories. Drove from Apple Valley to Palmdale using El Mirage rd. I turned left instead of turning right taking East Palmdale. Made this drive for 8 yrs. 60 miles each way.

[@efromhb]

Neat seeing the C-97/KC-97 cockpit at 11:33. My dad flew those. Both my parents spent time flying in the one at Fox Field.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting! I would have not known that was a Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. Now I wish I would have done more research and added a caption as such in the video.

[@bossco2001]

Great tour. Travelled that way many times but didn't know about a few things. Thanks.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting

[@joepacheco4362]

Can't wait to visit this area.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Enjoy it when you get there. Thanks for commenting.

[@cleokey]

Raced at El Mirage for 20 years, enjoy all the backroads throughout the area.

[@markbrown7103]

Are used to live in Hisperia. My brother used to fly sell planes out at El Maroge. We always had a good time out there. My brother Mick flew sell planes. My brother Dave likes to fly radio controlled airplanes. And I am different. I’m a solo instrumental, guitarist Torah and crash too many airplanes so I stuck with a Guitar. Ha ha great video takes me back to the good old days👍🏼❤️☠️🎸🛩️ by the way, I still love aviation it’s so cool😎

[@NancyBrown-xw8hg]

My great grandfather owned a ranch on the Mojave. During WW2 the government built Edward's on top of it. There is still a little road with his name on it, Sopps road.

[@johnhathaway7319]

THANK YOU ! I live in Oceanside and I have been meaning to get out there for years. This video is exactly what I have been looking for, not really knowing where to go and what I would find. I will take a overnighter and do this ,WOW

[@heroknaderi]

Wow Nice sceanery. I enjoyed the video. I plan to drive through the desert one day just o explore.

[@TeresaMcCoy-zg3kf]

Just came across your video and it brought a few memories back I was assigned to George AFB in 1967 til April 1970 as a ground power tech. Learned to fly at the Hesperia airport then worked at the old Apple Valley Airport as a flight instructor til citing the Air Force. I was hired by the FAA to go to Palmdale ARTCC but got picked up by HoustonARTCC before a slot became available at Palmdale. One of the students at the Hesperia flight school was on his first cross country flight going to FOX Field and saw that nice big runway of Lockheeds and promptly landed there He was met by some fellows with guns and a follow me sign. After some time explaining himself he was released but the airplane had to be dismantled and trucked out just to make a point I believe. Interesting video;and thank you for making it. DeltaMike

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Interesting story! You lived there at a nice time. We lived in the Victor Valley from 1983 until 2015. Too many people now. Thanks for commenting.

[@jolu7019]

wow i so much enjoyed this tour hopefully i can do it in the coming yr thank you safe travels

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting.

[@roccomiers477]

Great video! I was stationed at George AFB in 1980-1981. I loved the area and the assignment. It was a bit of a shock going from RAF Upper Heyford, England (my 1st assignment) to GAFB and the desert, but I got used to the climate quickly. I have visited George several times since its closure. The flightline portion of the base is utilized and well kept, but the living quarters area is a mess. It was neat as a pin when I was there, and the present condition is sad to see, but I still love visiting the desert!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

[@MehdiNY]

Incredible video edit. Great planes and drones !

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.

[@malakangel9322]

Always informative 👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you!

[@simpleman9750]

That was a great video I enjoyed it very much my dad was in the military he was a pilot went to Vietnam twice and then he became the airport manager of the place we live in now so Aviation is always been a part of my life also thanks for posting that video is fantastic

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.

[@blanders1990]

This was great to watch, nice work! We live just south of this area of the Mojave Desert, and will definitely make the trip to explore these fascinating aviation spots.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting!

[@mikeboos9907]

Great video. I really enjoyed it.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you and thanks for commenting

[@macscotsman51]

Very informative and entertaining. Well done 👍👍👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you!

[@rickyhefner6706]

My Grandfather worked at Rockwell in Palmdale on the original B-1 bomber in the mid 70’s I Remember as a kid in the mid 70’s Hearing Blackbirds flying overhead by the time I got outside to see the plane it was long gone. The Mojave desert is packed with Aviation history I great place to visit

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting! Yes, I remember driving down the road(s) mentioned and seeing completed B-1s parked outside the Rockwell hanger in the early '80s.

[@georgevanvalkenburg2560]

EXCELLENT . . .

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you!

[@c.s.s.5326]

The RCS Facility behind SCLA is pretty jaw dropping as well. There's another, older one clear across the valley floor at the edge of the Tejon Ranch land holding. Awesome video. Love a good trip up the 14. :)

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting! We know about the Lockheed RCS facility by Silver Lakes. It's actually mentioned in our Route 66 video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnq6pIV7hreEpLc

[@tato4612]

great video

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks!

[@ScottReiboldt]

Thank you, shared to "High desert exploring and mining" on FB

[@BackRoadsWest1]

No, thank you!

[@williamlloyd3769]

Hard core aviation fans should also visit Point Mugu Missile Park, just off Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), near Oxnard. Several US Navy fighter planes and over a dozen missiles are on static display. Free self tour!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

I didn't know about that. Thanks!

[@tonyhamiltonsoosaippillai5423]

Nice 👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you!

[@Pilotc180]

One hellava lot of aviation history on the Mojave

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Yes there is!

[@CarinaPiersay]

I live close to Palmdale. I’ve seen military planes fly overhead for decades! You put a new spin on it. Thank you!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting. I've been wanting to create this video for years (I actually shot most of the footage in 2016 and it's been waiting that long). To me, this is a topic that many people would find very interesting and the reason why I put the tour "spin" on it.

[@CarinaPiersay]

You did a great job!! I love watching you explore Southern California. I was born here and have lived here most of my life.

[@adassociates8235]

Great video👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸 The Boneyard yard in Tucson AZ is sill closed as off 05/2022:-)

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Really? Wow. We visited back around 2008. That's a great museum and opportunity to see the biggest boneyard of all.

[@jayperry491]

Awesome video, lets see some more F-4s. Love the B-52!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks! At SCLA, that is the only remaining F-4 I know of and it's parked next to the local college's flight school. Too bad, since SCLA, the former George AFB, was a base for F-4Es - Wild Weasels.

[@jayperry491]

Yes, I went over to the former George AFB not too long ago and went through the old family housing area and former hospital (not sure if they are still there). Lots of F-4s down at March AFB.

[@shredcavemedia3764]

this is fikkin awesome!! Color blindness disqualified me from my fighter pilot dreams ...always wanted to fly jets- but lucky enough to crank around in the Piper Apache with my Great Uncle... he flew in the Korean War and Vietnam

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed the tour. I'm sure you've seen our tour on ET Hwy and nearby Area 51 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDWnWSgepl5rMk

[@towcub]

I believe General Atomics is the site of the old El Mirage airport, which was a military field before that. I can see the remains of runways I used to land on when the Brieglebs ran a soaring operation at that location.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Sounds right. Thanks for commenting. My old business partner learned to fly at the old Helendale airfield that is now occupied by Lockheed to test stealth technology. All those airfields I'm sure are/were prime real estate for aviation companies.

[@garymeredith2441]

Cliff and Irene you did a fantastic job on this video I love it the only thing I would change about it let's get rid of the music and have narration by u cliff on the road you traveled and what was inside those buildings not just the graphics that you put app but talk about the things you've seen and what goes on in those buildings obviously not everything but just give the viewer an idea of what goes on around it and how much security is in the area when you drive the roads , Thank you for the show .

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the tour, and thanks for commenting. Our videos mainly concentrate on road trips. Naturally, I don't have access to what your hoping for (inside the buildings). There's also nothing more to explain. See our blog post for more info: www.backroadswest.com/blog/mojave-desert-aviation-tour/

[@philippepennec1047]

Thanks for this very impressive trip ! :-)

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting

[@Erik-rp1hi]

A lot of aviation history here. Just watch on Sunday a documentary of the making of the Sidewinder Missile and how China Lake was an outstanding facility for development.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting. Lots of good documentary stuff out there. China Lake is a little difficult to tour.

[@SoloPilot6]

9:49 -- This is Ken Brock, who was a major force behind gyrocopter popularity, especially at El Mirage. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, every weekend with decent weather, you could see gyros flying all over from the northwest corner of the lake. The gyro in the picture is the one which he flew from coast to coast. El Mirage was a lot more fun before the state decided that there was money to be made there.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Excellent info, thanks for commenting on this. I wish I was out there on some Sunday morning watching these people flying their gyrocopters. Not many people fly gyros there anymore?

[@SoloPilot6]

@@BackRoadsWest1 : I've been away from the area for a long time, and don't know any of the gyro people down there any more. But I had a number of fun weekends there. About 10 years ago, I thought I'd go see, but now there's a fence, a gate and a money-hungry bureaucrat. You used to be able to just drive to the lake from a couple of dozen roads off the paved street. I didn't even bother going to the airport, but before the drone folks bought it it was a really nice place to fly. It's one of the old WWII pilot-training fields (there were a bunch of them, most still visible from the air).

[@andyfletcher3561]

@@SoloPilot6 Yeah, there weren't any paved roads onto the lake bed. Sad to see Yosemite Sam all faded....

[@mattwiser8406]

Nice video! As a military aviation buff (and had hoped to be an A-6 Intruder Bombardier/Navigator at one point), you just got me hooked into taking this drive. Now, how'd those folks get a Hind?

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Well, when you stop by Aviation Warehouse and get a chance to talk to those folks, ask them how they got the Hind and please let us know! Thanks for commenting.

[@TheDustysix]

The Mossad could get one.

[@andyfletcher3561]

Nice to see Yosemite Sam is kind of still there....

[@BackRoadsWest1]

'Ol Yosemite Sam has been there for as long as I can remember (since the early '80s).

[@andyfletcher3561]

@@BackRoadsWest1 It was already old in the early 70s when I first went out that way. He was actually part of the directions on how to get to the dry lake from Palmdale LoL. No one new the streets names/numbers so they would say "stay on Palmdale Blvd until it ends at the "T" and turn left. When you see Yosemite Sam Take a right...".

[@JPatterson61586]

There is one huge aviation gem that you were literally right next to, and completely missed. The Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) or "LA Center". That said, I guess if someone wasn't in the aviation field, they probably wouldn't have even known. BTW it is literally across 25th St E from Blackbird Park.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Yes, we knew that as a friend of our works for the FAA. I thought about including it but for various reasons decided not to mention it.

[@andyfletcher3561]

There's probably not a pre 2001 building on Plant 42 I haven't worked on in one trade or another at one time or another. At the ARTCC had a couple of breakers blow up in my face working on a panel that couldn't be shut down. Thought I was dead for a minute until my hearing started to come back, followed what seemed to be a LONG time by my vision. Didn't see anything, didn't hear anything, didn't feel anything. Not sure how long after the explosion, but in that quiet darkness, my only thought was a eerily calm "Hmmm, so this is what it's like to be dead. Not so bad"...Blew about 10 feet straight back off of my ladder and I landed on my feet facing the panel. Every bit of exposed hair was burnt away, and I could smell it for months. Yuck. The single burn spot to my eye was actually the worst of it though. I was Sooooo lucky. Kind of event that prevents you from being an atheist...

[@jonathanshelstad624]

This was a fantastic video..I have to ask what was the name of guitar that began at 8:45 . Thanks for sharing.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks! The music is from StoryBlocks.com. The name might be Corporate Indie Guitar Pop Full Mix.

[@dgunde13gunderson78]

re: Gen Atomics: they're based in La Jolla near USCD .....I interviewed somebody during my enviro days back in the 80s....Got of tour of the facility! Got an A in my class!!!!! thanks

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Correct: General Atomics corporate office is in San Diego. Drones are manufactured in Adelanto and tested at the two facilities mentioned in the tour, plus the Air Force does acceptance testing at SCLA.

[@brianscharsch9767]

Outstanding 🙏🇺🇸 My favorite movie the Right stuff had a old bar out I believe in Edwards AFB. It’s no longer their but can you tell me where it was? Many famous test pilots drank a lot of beer their Chuck Yeager etc etc...

[@BackRoadsWest1]

I know the bar you're talking about but don't know where it was. Yea, I should have spent more time exploring those back roads and taking lots of pictures of sites. But that was back in the film days and couldn't take as many pictures as you can now with digital.

[@MrShobar]

18:51 Palmdale VORTAC (PMD) 114.5MHz

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Living right down (or is it up) the street from Plant 42. We see and hear all kinds of flying machines.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

It might be sideways ;-)

[@DesertDweller1]

Any recommendations on aerospace books related to this region are appreciated 👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Not too many. Most of the info on this video came from many years of living in the area and talking to people. Perhaps this one though: X-Plane Crashes by Merln & Moore

[@Rfk1966]

Nice travelogue. A couple more points of interest out that way: 1) VW diesel graveyard near SCLA - the place VOA dumped the emission scandal cars they had to buy back and 2) the “Kill Bill”church just north in Hi Vista

[@BackRoadsWest1]

There are lots of gems out there. One can spend a lifetime documenting all the cool stuff out there in the desert. I wanted to limit this tour to aviation. Thanks for commenting.

[@christopherbuckley94]

Looks like another great side trip. Next time I'm out west, I'll have to take some of these. The last time I was in Victorville a few years ago, I only stopped for an oil change at the local Toyota dealer! LOL! Hope that all is well with you and yours.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! Been to that dealership many many times.

[@kennysherrill6542]

Very interesting places, I've be all through the 747 Space Shuttle carrier, she still has the nose lounge interior when I seen her last.👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Excellent! We got a chance to walk thru it too during an airshow at Edwards. It may not have been the same plane though. I think they had 2.

[@eatcommies1375]

Don’t forget Tonopah, if You’re lucky an F117 might be out testing. 🦨👍 Would love to know the back story on the MI-24

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Did you see our tour of the ET Hwy and the explanation of the TTR (Tonopah Test Range) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDWnWSgepl5rMk

[@eatcommies1375]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Will definitely check it out. Great Work BTW. “We never forget who we’re working for”🤫

[@prinyawit]

Is this open for public?

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Is "what" open to the public? Blackbird Airpark? Yes.

[@tjreinhard7630]

have anything on NTC? (national training center)

[@BackRoadsWest1]

The closest I have to Ft Irwin is Calico: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmispYZ7gM13ndk

[@flintstonefly]

Before General Atomics that airstrip was known as Briegleb field. a well known place for your saill plane. His sons towed gliders continus all week end. our

[@olddog103]

You didn’t mention the beautiful down town area. Or the shining lake of LAKE LOS ANGELES

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Well, the tour focuses on aviation, not where else to visit. That would be a different video.

[@ChiefThundermoon]

Watch the movie First Man there were 4 pilots killed in one year,the movie is about Neil Armstrong.

[@anndrew7958]

The Japanese have taken some notes here

[@BackRoadsWest1]

More like the Chinese. The Japanese already operator our equipment.

[@coddiwomplecolster7329]

I'm hardly a plane buff, maybe differentiate Concorde from a Spitfire. The B-52's was a band. You get the picture. Anyhow, I really enjoyed this episode. There's this wonderful balance between being crammed full of facts, without being so weighed down details or long established library footage. Made me want to find out who this Val Curry fellow is. 😉

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Isn't U-2 a band too? Actually, they named themselves after a tax form in Ireland and not the airplane. Who's Val Curry?

[@barrykirkby9626]

Being a Brit, I fell in love with the entire area years ago and have missed visiting the area.. Love the desert and would moved to even the shittiest city given half a chance. Barstow is one of my favs.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

LOL - most people do say Barstow is the shittiest place in the desert, but I quite like it myself. There are many gems in the deserts of the Southwest. In case you missed these videos, you may enjoy seeing downtown Barstow and some more aviation history that everyone seems to love: Barstow: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h32Thnqthduoo80 - Area 51: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDWnWSgepl5rMk Enjoy!

[@barrykirkby9626]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Love it there myself. And yes there are loads of gems on its doorstep. One of my favourite bits of Barstow was the old wooden bridge that's now gone. The station there is a gem to behold.

[@richardholmes5691]

No such manufacturer as General Atomics.....I think you meant to post General Dynamics.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Before you post something, you ought to check it yourself. Google "General Atomics".

[@JOHNSMITH-dc6lr]

I'm guessing tours are not allowed?

[@BackRoadsWest1]

I'm not sure what you mean by "tours". The video shows where to tour. If you mean Air Force Plant 42, realize those are multiple entities and of course one facility, the Skunk Works, makes and tests stuff at Area 51, so there's your answer! See kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDWnWSgepl5rMk

[@JOHNSMITH-dc6lr]

@@BackRoadsWest1 I'm talking guided tours to drive around n walk in the big jumbos

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@JOHNSMITH-dc6lroh, you're talking about the air park. Not that I know of.

[@JOHNSMITH-dc6lr]

@@BackRoadsWest1 idk what the property is called but a hundred planes just rusting away, the jumbos are insane cool

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

*Hmm... I wonder if this video is disabled in the US* 11:44 Why is there an Mi-24 Hind in there? Either way, it would be nice to have one. Sadly, a continent away with no pilots license.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

I'm curious too - what is, or more like, "how did" an Mi-24 get there? It would be great to get a tour of that place some day and learn all the history.

[@andyfletcher3561]

When the Soviet Union collapsed, pretty much anything military in the satellite states went up for sale.

[@BL-jt3qt]

I guess this guy has never been to the aircraft bone yards in Arizona.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Which one? And who is "this guy"?

[@BL-jt3qt]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Try David- Monthan AFB in Tucson as being the world's largest aircraft boneyard and then Pinal Airpark in Marana, AZ with over 3,000 parked planes. The way you bragged on the Mojave Desert storage area, 'this guy' is you.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@BL-jt3qt been to Monthan and the great museum there. It is massive. But that's all military. SCLA is commercial and, during COVID, was definitely the biggest, commercial. I've been visiting Mojave Airport since the early '80s, and it frequently had a lot of stored commercial aircraft. What do you mean, brag? Please. I'm stating a fact. The other boneyard in Az is in Goodyear, still not as big as SCLA or Mojave.

[@barbarariley9478]

I lived in Apple Valley I really loved it until a gang started coming in

[@barbarariley9478]

There were several gangs that started coming into the Victorville Hesperia Apple Valley area they ruin everything they ruined the country

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Yup, you can thank a number of factors for that, like Victorville's section 8 housing and the Fed prison drawing their families to move into the HD to be close by. So many other factors too, including being close to L.A. We lived in Spring Valley Lake and saw the writing on the wall in 2010 and is the reason why we now live in Utah.

[@barbarariley9478]

I lived up in the Apple Valley Highlands I have five acres there I live next to a retired LAPD officer and his wife it was a beautiful place I worked at St Mary's

[@barbarariley9478]

@@BackRoadsWest1 That is why I live in Idaho. I LEFT APPLE VALLEY IN 1990