The A-12 Oxcart at Area 51
Area 51, a top-secret military installation hidden in the desert northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been the testing ground for the United States’ most classified aircraft programs since 1955. The site is Groom Lake, referred to as “The Ranch” by the crews and workers of the time.
There, the Lockheed U-2 had been tested and flown. However, plans were underway in 1961 for the advent of an airplane that promised powers that would astound. The “Skunk Works” division of Lockheed, under commission by the CIA, created the A-12, which was intended to conduct reconnaissance missions over any target at heights above 80,000 feet and speeds exceeding Mach 3. If demonstrated to be effective, the A-12’s combination of speed and altitude would render it practically invulnerable to interception. This was the first aircraft flown under the renowned “Blackbird” name.
A-12 Oxcart stored in boxes
The A-12 had to be transported from its Skunk Works production site in Burbank to Area 51. In order to create a wide enough space for the aircraft, they occasionally had to excavate around the road during the trip.
Frank Murray, A-12 Pilot and Roadrunners Internationale Historian, contributed some exclusive details in his extensive and beautiful article (CLICK HERE to read the complete story). GROOM LAKE – AREA 51 A-12 ARCHANGEL CIA PROJECT OXCART, HOW THEY GOT HERE: On-The-Road:
‘The pictures show the varied nature of the trip from Burbank to Area 51. A couple of pictures show what can only be described as a “revolting development,” getting the big box wheels sunk in soft soil. Wonder how they got it jacked up and going again. No pictures of these steps. Several photographs show how close the box comes to signs, bridge abutments, etc. Travel was allowed on mid-week days, with no movement on the weekends or Holidays. During one of the movements, a Greyhound bus nicked the big box. The bus driver was paid cash for the bus repairs without any resultant attention to the details. The end of the road was the main hangar complex at Area 51, where the airplane was off-loaded into the hangar for re-assembly.
A-12 Oxcart Arriving at Area 51
‘The first convoy departed Burbank on 26 February 1962 and arrived three days later. The second convoy carrying Article 122 departed for Area 51 on 26 June 1962, followed by Article 123 in August 1962. The two-seat Article 124 got to the Area in November 1962. The rest of the A-12s and the three YF-12s arrived by mid-1964.’
Murray’s article continues with an eyewitness account:
‘To whom it may concern:
‘My name is Jim Noce, and I recall being on those moves from the “Skunk Works” to the ranch. We left the Area early in the morning, taking turns driving until we reached Burbank. When we arrived, the Article was concealed in a large crate and covered with a tarp on the semi, ready to travel. We headed East on the Freeway, and the California State Police gave escort.
‘The CSP had long poles along the route to clear hanging power lines or unpin road signs hinged for clearance purposes. When we reached the CA/NV border, we pulled to the side of the road and ate sack ‘lunches made up by the mess hall in the Area. We also had igloo coolers of lemonade and thermos of hot coffee or chocolate. We also had soda pop. Not bad for the ’60s.
Greyhound Bus barely scraping the side of the A-12 Oxcart box
‘After we had lunch, we headed up Highway 95 until we reached Mercury, that had our security clearance for entering the Atomic Proving Grounds. I may be wrong, but I think that once we reached the Ranch, the Article was uncrated and put on a cart by something like a cherry picker and I do believe the box was broken down and loaded back on the trailer, and sent back to Burbank. I never knew of anyone taking pictures from our group and I do recall the incident where a Greyhound Bus barely scraped the side of the box, and the driver was given cash to fix the few scratches avoiding insurance claims.
‘Sincerely, Jim Noce Former CIA agent Area 51.’
Check out Habubrats SR-71’s Twitter profile and Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder’s Facebook page for further Blackbird photos and stories.
Photo by Roadrunners Internationale
ADDITIONAL CREDITS
- Dorsey G. Kammerer – Former Lockheed Enginer – Source of Photos
- Jason Owen – Grandson of Kammerer- Contribution of Photos
- Jim Noce – Former CIA Security Participant
- Bob Murphy – Former Lockheed Project Manager
- T.D. Barnes – Former EG&G Special Projects
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Lockheed-California Company
- California Highway Patrol
- Nevada Highway Patrol
Be sure to check out Roadrunners Internationale for some unique info about U-2, A-12 and YF-12 programs.