NSXCA Northwest Region - Castle Air Museum (9/22/01)

"Castle Air Museum"

September 22, 2001

This event's plan was to cruise up Mt. Hamilton, stop by the Lick Observatory, head down the mountain towards Castle Air Museum in Atwater. Afterwards, we'd head for Forest Road 81 and drive towards Sierra National Forest. The day was perfect for driving the NSX! It was pretty warm but the partial overcast set the day.

The drive up Mt. Hamilton was fun. Tight turns and small sweepers made for some spirited driving. We arrived at the Lick Observatory and were shortly greeted by a police officer in a white SUV. Apparently he had a crystal clear view of the road below and saw us on our way up to the observatory. He commented on our driving style but was cool about it. Spent some time looking at our cars and then showed us his "observation point." As you can see in one of the pictures below, you can see everything below you.

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We then proceeded down the mountain and caught up to Keith Jarett. The road down the mountain was a bit better than on the way up. After about an hour of spirited driving, we arrived to Interstate 5 and proceeded east towards Interstate 99. Headed south on the 99 towards Castle Air Museum. On the way, we performed several "synchronized lane changes" inspired by Kent Shepley. Drivers around us were amazed how six NSXs were changing lanes like the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Finally, we all arrived at the air museum. The first plane we all saw was Lockheed Martin's SR-71 Blackbird. Naturally, our NSXs had to have prime parking in front of this famous bird. It was just incredible walking around this plane and getting over how big this plane really is! Pictures don't do this plane justice. You must see it in person and actually touch it to admire all the work that went into building such a plane that flies over Mach 3.

This is a large photo of the SR-71.
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After spending a while looking at the Blackbird in awe, we had lunch at the musuem's buffet.
Afterwards, we entered the museum grounds walked around all the various aircraft on display.

Boeing
B-17G Flying Fortress B-17 prop Boeing
KC-97 StratoFreighter Avro Vulcan

B-50 Superfortress
(Significantly modified B-29) McDonnell Douglas
F-101 Voodoo Republic
F-105 Thunderchief F-105 nose art

Curtis
C-46D Commando Boeing
B-52D Stratofortress Massive B-52 landing gear Boeing
B-47 Stratojet

North American
F-86H Sabre F-86 Sabre nose art Consolidated-Vultee
RB-36H Peacemaker B-36 rear underbelly

Consolidated
B-24M Liberator McDonnell Douglas
F-4E Phantom II
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-4 Thunderbird
dead center F-4 Thunderbird #6

The next leg of the trip was for Forest Road 81 and Sierra National Forest.
Most of us had a long trip back to the south bay so the event was coming to a close.
Keith Jarett and Alan Garvin, who joined us later, continued the trip and had a fantastic, but long, drive.

The Castle Air Museum is definitely worth a visit!
Visit their website at www.elite.net/castle-air for more info.

Many thanks to Keith Jarett for organizing this event!