At the Mojave Desert, near the Edwards Air Force Base, some abandoned aircrafts are left. These old Cold War relics still stand on remote deserted region. Out of these, the most powerful abandoned fighter planes are B-52 and B-58! I visited the site to capture these war relics. I should walk, for a while in the desert, for arriving here. I first walk in the desert and because I don’t have any reference point around me, I felt disoriented. I walked for about 30 min, finally I spot the Bombers….. YEAH!!! Bomber-Yeah！
カルフォルニア州エドワーズ空軍基地近く、人里離れたモハーヴェ砂漠に冷戦時代の航空機たちが放棄してあります。中でも強烈な印象を放っているのが、B-52とB-58爆撃機! 今回それを探査してきました。爆撃機に辿り着くには、灼熱の砂漠を歩かなければいけなかった。初めて砂漠を歩いたわけなんですが、方向感覚が麻痺してくる… 迷子になるんじゃないかと不安な気持ちになりながらも歩くこと、30分。爆撃機が徐々に見えてきました!
History:
They were used for “Barrier Tests” One of the B-52s is an RB-52B-30-BO Stratofortress (Serial Number 53-0379A) which transferred to AFFTC in 1965. The barrier tests were a series of tests where aircraft of various types and sizes were literally caught in a net when landing. Then in 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was decided. As part of complying with this treaty, the US began the task of destroying over 350 B-52s. After placing some high explosive in the fuselage the B-52, Edwards AFB blew them.このB-52は、1995年にバリア試験のために使用されたそうです。バリアテスト場というのは、様々なタイプの飛行機の着陸実験を一連で行うテストのこと。1991年に兵器削減条約が決まり、その条約の遵守の一環として、米国はB-52を廃棄することを決定。エドワーズ職員が、B-52とB-58に爆薬をしかけ爆破してそのまま放棄プレイしたというわけです。
I stand alongside B-52 Bomber, feel like also to feared his mighty aura! The bomber has been stripped of almost all useful parts, but appears to be still in a good shape. Dead metal bodies have been matched perfectly with their desert surroundings.
B-52爆撃機と並んで立ってみると、威圧感を感じた。重要な部品などはほとんど取りのぞかれてましたが、外観はしっかりと残っていました。砂漠の雰囲気をマッチしているお姿に惚れぼれ。
I become greeted by an even more surprising sight, Behind the B-52, there was a B-58! B-58 Body had been scattered by the explosion of the past, and had down on the desert. It was a complete carcass… A occasionally blow wind of sandstone, made the aircraft skeletons sway, and the creaking sound of the metal, create a special lonely atmosphere here.
さらに驚くべき光景が目の前に! B-52の後ろに、大破したB-58が！ B-58は砂漠の上に横たわり、過去の爆発によってパーツが散乱していました。時折吹く砂嵐が、航空機の機体や金属をきしませギイギイと音をたて、無音の砂漠に空虚感を与えていたのが印象的でした。
On the way back, I got lost and water is also done XD, but phone reception was strong, I was able to use google maps! Thanks google! You had better not underestimate the desert, you know, honestly, I didn’t know that.
帰り道、道に迷い水にもなくなってしまった…しかし基地が近いので電波がよくGoogleマップに助けられました！ありがとうグーグルさん！ やはり砂漠はなめちゃダメですね、アタシは舐めてたわけですけど…
I’m glad you made it back alive!
Haha, I’m okay XD Thanks!
I’m doing research for some time about this site. I know where, I have directions to by the GPS, but as I’ve never been there this looks like a very new place for me. I have some doubt when access to the aircraft. By Google Maps can see a dirt road that leads to them, it was through this road you walked? there is a possibility to get to close to them by car?
To complicate matters, I want to do this during the night, because I want to make some pictures while dark and sunrise.
Thank you, and keep doing this great work.
You can make some pictures while dark and sunrise 🙂
The car is not be able to enter that dirt road, You can park your car on the main road.
However, I think that some people are entered by car, because There was a trace of the tire on the ground.
Here is very hot during the day in Aug-Sep. Please be careful of getting a heat stroke.
It’s so amazing place that I wan to go back there!!!