Argus Range QT-33B 9/22/07

The QT-33B #5947 was used as a Navy target drone at China Lake Naval Weapons Center. It went down in the 1970s in the Argus Range near the town of Trona, Ca.

2009-03-27T10:26:19Z

Joe Idoni
The QT-33B #5947 was used as a Navy target drone at China Lake Naval Weapons Center. It went down in the 1970s in the Argus Range near the town of Trona, Ca.

I first got interested in this site when I saw this photo taken by Tom Gossett in Pat Macha's book. I tried finding this crash site last year, but gave up after searching the area for four h ...

2009-03-27T10:26:48Z

Joe Idoni
I first got interested in this site when I saw this photo taken by Tom Gossett in Pat Macha's book. I tried finding this crash site last year, but gave up after searching the area for four h ...

It was raining from Pasadena all the way to Mojave. This shot was taken in Mojave, I could see that it was clearing to the northeast which was the direction I was heading.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
It was raining from Pasadena all the way to Mojave. This shot was taken in Mojave, I could see that it was clearing to the northeast which was the direction I was heading.

After meeting Tom at his place, I followed him to where we will start the hike.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
After meeting Tom at his place, I followed him to where we will start the hike.

Ready to start the hike to the QT-33B.

2009-03-27T10:27:54Z

Joe Idoni
Ready to start the hike to the QT-33B.

Hiking up the canyon.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
Hiking up the canyon.

First good view of the QT-33B's crash site.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
First good view of the QT-33B's crash site.

Looks like most of the drone is still here.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like most of the drone is still here.

Me at the crash site.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
Me at the crash site.

The QT-33's Allison J-33-35 turbojet engine.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
The QT-33's Allison J-33-35 turbojet engine.

I could see the left tip tank just below the crash site and decided to check it out first.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
I could see the left tip tank just below the crash site and decided to check it out first.

The tank's nosecone was smashed, but it was in pretty good shape. Surprised how good the paint still looked after all these years.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
The tank's nosecone was smashed, but it was in pretty good shape. Surprised how good the paint still looked after all these years.

Closer look at the tank's fin.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
Closer look at the tank's fin.

The tank's tailcone was close by.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
The tank's tailcone was close by.

Think this might by an oxygen bottle. There were two more at the site.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
Think this might by an oxygen bottle. There were two more at the site.

Looking up at the site from below. Damage on the tank's nose can be seen.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
Looking up at the site from below. Damage on the tank's nose can be seen.

The left wing.

2009-03-27T10:27:00Z

Joe Idoni
The left wing.

Close up of the tip.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the tip.

Another view of the tip.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the tip.

Linkage inside the wingtip.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Linkage inside the wingtip.

The insignia looks like it was painted only in white, no sign of any color.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
The insignia looks like it was painted only in white, no sign of any color.

This is only the second time I came across a wing in this good of shape at a crash site. The other was at the Coso F-4 site.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
This is only the second time I came across a wing in this good of shape at a crash site. The other was at the Coso F-4 site.

Melted aluminum flowed from under the wing.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Melted aluminum flowed from under the wing.

Closer look at the melted aluminum. It's from the inboard section of wing, engine and fuselage.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Closer look at the melted aluminum. It's from the inboard section of wing, engine and fuselage.

The main gear was still in it's original location with all the aluminum melted away from it.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
The main gear was still in it's original location with all the aluminum melted away from it.

The main gear and two more bottles.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
The main gear and two more bottles.

Looking down the wing.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down the wing.

This box was full of what looked like relays, wonder if it was part of the remote system?

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
This box was full of what looked like relays, wonder if it was part of the remote system?

Front view of the QT-33.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Front view of the QT-33.

Actuator.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Actuator.

Another actuator.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Another actuator.

The tip tank from the rigth wing was above. This tank was smashed on the tail end while the left tank was smashed on the front. Looks like the drone was in a right flat spin when it hit the ...

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
The tip tank from the rigth wing was above. This tank was smashed on the tail end while the left tank was smashed on the front. Looks like the drone was in a right flat spin when it hit the ...

Fuel fittings on the tank.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Fuel fittings on the tank.

Tail and left tank.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Tail and left tank.

Fin and rudder.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Fin and rudder.

Nice looking metal work on the front of the fin. The remains of an old number can be seen on the fin, 636.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Nice looking metal work on the front of the fin. The remains of an old number can be seen on the fin, 636.

Tom with a part from one of the wheels.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Tom with a part from one of the wheels.

Rear view of the tail.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Rear view of the tail.

Lot of electical stuff under the left stab.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Lot of electical stuff under the left stab.

One of the rudder pedals.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
One of the rudder pedals.

Backside of the pedal.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Backside of the pedal.

Part of the canopy frame.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Part of the canopy frame.

Piece of the right wing.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Piece of the right wing.

Wing's trailing edge.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Wing's trailing edge.

Front view of the piece from the right wing.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Front view of the piece from the right wing.

Trim tabs on the elevator and the "BEWARE OF BLAST" sign.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Trim tabs on the elevator and the "BEWARE OF BLAST" sign.

Tail number. On the other side where the paint was gone, I could see part of an old faint number, 636...

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Tail number. On the other side where the paint was gone, I could see part of an old faint number, 636...

Crushed piece from the fuselage. Think this is from above the engine intake.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Crushed piece from the fuselage. Think this is from above the engine intake.

Close up of the vents on the same piece.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the vents on the same piece.

Most of what remains of the fuselage can be seen from this angle.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Most of what remains of the fuselage can be seen from this angle.

Some of the fuselage skin remained on the engine.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Some of the fuselage skin remained on the engine.

Front view of the engine. All the aluminum is melted off.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Front view of the engine. All the aluminum is melted off.

Steel parts from the front of the engine.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Steel parts from the front of the engine.

Side view, some how the light on top of the fuselage survived the fire.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Side view, some how the light on top of the fuselage survived the fire.

Close up of the light.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the light.

Another view of the Allison J-33-35.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the Allison J-33-35.

Looking back at the site as we start hiking out.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Looking back at the site as we start hiking out.

We found this piece at the bottom of the slope about 200 yards from the site.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
We found this piece at the bottom of the slope about 200 yards from the site.

It's a side panel from the front of the fuselage just behind the nose.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
It's a side panel from the front of the fuselage just behind the nose.

Inside of the panel.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Inside of the panel.

Last look at the site.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Last look at the site.

Heading back to town for cheeseburgers.

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Heading back to town for cheeseburgers.

Back at Tom's place, he showed me a photo album of past crash site visits. These photos are of the QT-33 site that he took ten years ago which was the last time he was there. THE END

2009-03-27T10:27:01Z

Joe Idoni
Back at Tom's place, he showed me a photo album of past crash site visits. These photos are of the QT-33 site that he took ten years ago which was the last time he was there. THE END