LANCASTER, CA – When it came to relocating its Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket – sister to the Skyrocket that was the first to fly twice the speed of sound – Antelope Valley College spared no expense, officials announced Tuesday.

AV College hired Coast Machinery Movers, a specialty rigging company with 50 years of experience in high-profile moves, including the Space Shuttle Endeavor and Air Force One. The company, well versed in the Aerospace industry, studied the Skyrocket before planning its relocation.

“We understand that our Douglas Skyrocket represents the rich legacy of aircraft testing and development in the Antelope Valley,” said AV College Superintendent/President Jennifer Zellet, PhD. “That’s why we decided to work with one of the best in the industry.”

On Sunday, Coast Machinery Movers lifted the Skyrocket from its location in front of the Math/Engineering building and transported it to the Auto Lab area where it will be stored and protected until permanent relocation.

AV College is paying Coast Machinery Movers $44,000 for the work, which included designing and shop fabricating a lifting fixture, field installation, rigging, cutting existing support pipe, and lifting and traveling to the staging area.

The Skyrocket move is a result of Measure AV construction taking place on campus. The Skyrocket was on the future site of the Student Commons building. Construction on the Student Commons is expected to break ground in August.

Once construction on campus and restoration of the aircraft is complete, college officials will identify a permanent location for the Skyrocket.

“Before we transport the Skyrocket to its permanent home, we’ll hire a company to perform the restoration work,” Dr. Zellet said. “Our Airframe Manufacturing Technology students take great pride and inspiration from the Skyrocket, so we’re going to make sure this historical artifact is cared for as it deserves.”

About the Douglas Skyrockets

Skyrockets were used in flight tests from 1948 to 1956 at what is now Edwards Air Force Base, located a short distance from AV College. There are only three Skyrockets in existence. The craft at AV College, NACA 145, flew 87 missions. Another Skyrocket is in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and the third is at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino.

Alden B. Carder, manager of flight test for Douglas Aircraft Company, was among several people instrumental in getting the Skyrocket donated to AV College in 1963.