Message posted by Peter Merlin on December 27, 2006 at 10:28:01 PST:

The original overrun extension was built specifically for the A-12, strictly as a safety measure to protect such a valuable asset.

Following the end of OXCART and retirement of the A-12 fleet, the overrun gradually fell into disrepair. Lakebed flooding in winter took its toll on the main concrete runway as well. Eventually the entire strip had to be closed and replaced with the current runway.

Somehow, people constantly overlook that fact. This has led to all sorts of wishful thinking about mythical hypersonic aircraft and spaceplanes, as well as the mistaken belief that Area 51 had the longest runway in the world.

In Reply to: Re: runways at groom... posted by Trever Burden on December 26, 2006 at 23:56:51 PST:

Replies:

• Re: runways at groom... Al 12/27/2006, 17:35:26 PST (7)
  • Re: runways at groom... Alex (UK) 12/28/2006, 4:04:05 PST (6)
    • Re: runways at groom... cardikid 12/28/2006, 22:22:50 PST (2)
      • Re: runways at groom... lone wolf 12/28/2006, 22:48:57 PST (1)
        • Re: runways at groom... Howley 12/30/2006, 13:14:02 PST (0)
    • Re: runways at groom... Peter Merlin 12/28/2006, 8:56:33 PST (2)
      • Re: runways at groom... Cammo Fan 12/29/2006, 21:45:16 PST (1)
        • Re: runways at groom... Mark 01/07/2007, 18:09:33 PST (0)