michiganatc From United States of America, joined Nov 2008, 133 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1306 times:
This January I am going to visit Southern California and I'd like to rent a car and make a day trip to PMD, VCV and MHV for some spotting opportunities.
I know that the NASA 747-SP is based at PMD but does NASA keep it in a hangar or is it parked out in the open on a ramp? Is there still a lot of Military training at PMD? I read a previous post back in April of 2000 and it talked about a lot of military activity. I thought this was a public airport...sounds more like an air base.
I am also planning on visiting the airplane graveyards at VCV and MHV. Mostly cuz the Delta and ATA L-1011's are parked here. Has anyone had success getting tours and taking pictures? I'm hoping to get there in time before the last Delta L-1011 get's scrapped. I might be too late already though.
Any information would be really appreciated. I have been waiting so long to make this trip and can't wait! I might need to get creative in finding someone to give me a tour.
Wish me luck.
I'll make a post and share photos of my success when I get back (or failure).
FX1816 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1400 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 1223 times:
Quoting michiganatc (Thread starter):
I know that the NASA 747-SP is based at PMD but does NASA keep it in a hangar or is it parked out in the open on a ramp? Is there still a lot of Military training at PMD? I read a previous post back in April of 2000 and it talked about a lot of military activity. I thought this was a public airport...sounds more like an air base.
It is kept in a Hangar at PMD so it is not easy to see. PMD is an active military installation. It's not like it is an actual AFB but you cannot get on the place without prior approval.
Quoting michiganatc (Thread starter): Mostly cuz the Delta and ATA L-1011's are parked here. Has anyone had success getting tours and taking pictures?
Sorry, no more ATA L1011's at VCV and there are no tours here either. MHV does have tours I do believe.
jetjack74 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 7335 posts, RR: 52 Reply 5, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 791 times:
Quoting michiganatc (Thread starter): I am also planning on visiting the airplane graveyards at VCV and MHV. Mostly cuz the Delta and ATA L-1011's are parked here. Has anyone had success getting tours and taking pictures? I'm hoping to get there in time before the last Delta L-1011 get's scrapped. I might be too late already though.
I was just in VCV about 2 weeks and there are still a few DL Tristars there, but they are far out from the ramp area and I think the best you might be able to get is the backside of the base, by the perimeter fence. Here's a few pics from our tech-stop that day:
hiflyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 2118 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 776 times:
DId mojave in a rental car awhile back...rode the fence line (outside of course) thru the desert...suggest you don't rent that buick. grin.
Braniff747SP From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 2623 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 759 times:
chrisair From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1770 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 648 times:
If you go wandering in the desert on foot, watch out for rattle snakes.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2008, 133 posts, 
From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 4988 posts, 
From Cayman Islands, joined Apr 2008, 127 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
