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NASA Shuttle Carrier moves to final home

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NASA 911 final journey Palmdale 1

NASA 911, a retired Shuttle Carrier Aircraft that ferried NASA’s space shuttles across the country for more than three decades, made its final journey on Friday.

The modified Boeing 747 jetliner was towed to Palmdale’s Joe Davies Heritage Airpark for permanent display.

Sights from NASA 911’s final journey

NASA employee Donald Bailes towed the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft less than a mile from the NASA Armstrong aircraft operations facility to the nearby Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in Palmdale.
NASA employee Donald Bailes towed the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft less than a mile from the NASA Armstrong aircraft operations facility to the nearby Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in Palmdale.
The retired early-model 747, distinguished by the two large vertical fins attached to the ends of its horizontal tail, reached its final destination shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
The retired early-model 747, distinguished by the two large vertical fins attached to the ends of its horizontal tail, reached its final destination shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
It was positioned adjacent to a retired Boeing B-52D bomber on the west side of the aircraft museum. Although NASA is retaining ownership of Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 911, it is on long-term loan to the City of Palmdale for public display.
It was positioned adjacent to a retired Boeing B-52D bomber on the west side of the aircraft museum. Although NASA is retaining ownership of Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 911, it is on long-term loan to the City of Palmdale for public display.
“Having the Shuttle Carrier come over here is part of our Antelope Valley history and a part of Palmdale’s history because it was built right across the way at Boeing in Plant 42,” said Kathleen Whiteside, Facility Coordinator for Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. “It’s a very big honor and a privilege to have it here; hopefully, we’ll be able to turn the inside of it into a museum and actually show part of the shuttle history and what transpired here in the Valley.”
“Having the Shuttle Carrier come over here is part of our Antelope Valley history and a part of Palmdale’s history because it was built right across the way at Boeing in Plant 42,” said Kathleen Whiteside, Facility Coordinator for Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. “It’s a very big honor and a privilege to have it here; hopefully we’ll be able to turn the inside of it into a museum and actually show part of the shuttle history and what transpired here in the Valley.”
Also added to the Joe Davies Airpark collection on Friday was the X-55 Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft, donated by Lockheed Martin. X-55 Pilots Joe Biviano (left) and Rob “Skid” Rowe (right) posed for a picture in front of the aircraft Friday morning.
Also added to the Joe Davies Airpark collection on Friday was the X-55 Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft, donated by Lockheed Martin. X-55 Pilots Joe Biviano (left) and Rob “Skid” Rowe (right) posed for a picture in front of the aircraft Friday morning.

The Joe Davies Heritage Airpark is located along Rancho Vista Boulevard, just west of 25th Street East in Palmdale. Designed to highlight the aerospace heritage of the Antelope Valley, the Airpark features almost 25 historic aircraft and related artifacts in an outdoor park-like setting. It is open to the public, free of charge, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Guided tours are also available Monday through Saturday upon request. For more information, visit: http://www.cityofpalmdale.org/Airpark

Filed Under: Palmdale

12 comments for "NASA Shuttle Carrier moves to final home"

  2. I wonder where the other one is? There are 2 of them at Edwards. Bet ya’ll didn’t know that, eh? Yep, your tax dollars at work… they had 2 of them and they rotated which one flew and which one would be used for parts to keep the other flying. True story….

  3. The B-52 next to it is not a B-52D. It’s a B-52F. You can tell by the external accessory packs on the engines which identify them as J57-43PW’s.

  4. crazy I drove to work Wed and its wasn’t there drove in on Sat and BOOM 747 I was like WTF? when did that get there? haha

  5. a great addition to the history of the aerospace industry here in the antelope valley. the folks who participated in creating these amazing planes may eventually be lost to us, but the proof of their work and ingenuity will live on at the blackbird and davies parks. it will hopefully become a must-see destination for aircraft history buffs, similar to other museums already operating. many thanks to all the people who have worked hard to create, and maintain these time capsules.