Supporting the Edwards test flight aircraft was this temporary deployed 319th Bomb Wing/ 905th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135A, originating from Grand Forks (ND). The 905th ARS was supporting some 6512nd TS B-1B activities from Edwards. The 319th converted from B-52 to B-1B in the 1986-1987 timeframe and a lot of new-weapons tests were carried out by the 6512 TS B-1Bs. As the 905th became very experienced with B-1B aerial refueling, it was logical to deploy one of their Lancers to Edwards that lacked KC-135As in their fleet.

Rarely photographed were the F-111 Aardvarks of the 6512 TS. Lucky me :-). Two airframes were, among other things, used for development tests of low-flying earth-following systems that eventually were used in for example cruise missiles as well as with inert navigation systems for tactial fighter jets.

Completely contrasting with the white/red F-4Es at the Edwards flightline was this Vietnam camo F-4E. Nice to know is that this Phantom once flew with the famous Thunderbirds flight demonstration team in the seventies. After that, it was transferred to an operational squadron and was selected for flight tests from Edwards. The F-4 was stored at Davis Monthan as FP0629 from March 1992 and then... became a Thunderbird again!! The Phantom was repainted in the right colours, but never took the skies like that, its is now preserved like that in the Pima Air museum (AZ).

A NRF-4C Phantom II in its test livery at the huge Edwards AFB flight line. You can still enjoy this aircraft, is is currently preserved at Lackland AFB/Kelly (TX).

A test F-4C (designated as NF-4C) at the massive platform of Edwards AFB (CA). In these day's countless F-4s in all variants could be found here. Check the large pitot tube of this old Phantom. The 6512th Test Squadron under command of the 6510th Test Wing operated at that time with A/YA-7D, VA-7F, A-7K, NA/OA-37B, NF-4C/D/E, YF-4E, NRF-4C, F-15A/B/C/D/E, F-111A, F-111D, FB-111A (later, F-111G), UH-1N, O-2A, T-37B, T-38A, AT-38B, T-38C, and UV-18 (haha!) in all kinds of test missions. The F-4s were eventally pashed out in 1992. The squadron is currently known as 4445th Flight Test Squadron.

Only just withdrawn from use when it was pictured at a platform at Edwards (the fin tip of the aircraft was temporarly cannibalized to keep another prototype in the air), this B-1A prototype in a great camouflage jacket. The 74-0158 made its first flight on 23 December 1974 as the first of four prototypes of the Lancer from Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale (CA). By the time that the B-1A programme was cancelled, 0158 had made 79 flights totaling 405,3 hours. It was eventually dismantled and used for weapons training at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.

Photographed on a visit to the Nowra naval base in 1987.

Photograph taken at Nowra Naval Base in 1987. Delivered in April 1977. Seen here getting ready for restoration. Now has a new home in the Fleet Air Arm Museum, HMAS Albatross Nowra.