Nothing says flight test better than a High Desert sunset over a prototype Century Fighter. YF-100A 52-5755, the second of two prototypes, took her first flight from Edwards Air Force Base, California on October 14, 1953, where she still sits today, having paved the way for a fleet of more than 2,000 to follow. The Hun (short for “one hundred”), represents a paradigm shift in air warfare as the first fighter to maintain supersonic speed in straight and level flight. All preceding fighters had to dive to achieve Mach 1.

     755 rests in the Century Circle just outside the West Gate of Edwards. This display was put in place by the Air Force Flight Test Museum, giving the public an opportunity to feel the presence of these flying machines that pushed the boundaries of higher, faster, farther. 

    Sometimes a sunset stops you in your tracks. That’s what happened to me when I was commuting home on October 30, 2014. I had to pull over and take these photos.