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<-- 1957 1958 Aircraft Photo Gallery. Last updated 11 May, 2008 1959 -->
• Jan 1  -- NAF has 60 aircraft consisting of 1 AD-4B, 1 HO4S-3, 1 HUP-2, 1 F8U-1, 1 F9F-8, 2 F9F-8B, 2 F2H-2, 2 FJ-4, 1 F3H-2N, 2 F3D-2, 1 F3D-1, 2 F4D-1, 5 F9F-6D, 1 A4D-1, 1 AD-5, 1 A3D-1, 1 AJ-1, 1 P2V-3, 2 P2V-2, 1 R4D-6, 1 R4D-5, 2 T-28BD, 2 JD-1D  & 25 F6F-5K drones. VX-5 has 22 aircraft consisting of 4 F9F-8B, 4 FJ-4B, 5 A4D-2, 4 A4D-1, 2 AD-7, 2 AD-5N & 1 SNB-5.
• The RAT antisubmarine weapon system is declared operational.
• March 25 -- Private Jerald V. Roberts lost his life in a shooting accident.
• May 8 -- LCdr Seldon May ejected from F8U-1 BuNo 143706 after it flamed out and couldn't be restarted.
• May 14 -- USMC 1st Lt. Matthew Peck operating from MAAS Mojave ejected from his FJ-4 after a fired rocket didn't seperate from the launcher.
• May 14 -- U.S. Navy pilot S. Joel Premselaar ejected from F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 134762 after a flight control crankpin failed.
• May 14 -- U.S. Navy pilot LCdr P.W. Nichols and crew survived the crash of the SAR helicopter (138501) as it attempted to rescue Premselaar.
• June 24 -- U.S. Navy LCdr. Richard M. Hopfinger lost his life when his FJ-4B Fury crashed.
• Jul 1  -- NAF has 44 aircraft consisting of 1 AD-4B, 1 AD-4B, 1 F8U-1, 1 YF8U-1, 2 F9F-8B, 2 F2H-2, 2 FJ-4, 2 F3H-2N, 1 YF3D-2, 1 YF3D-1, 1 YF4D-1, 4 F9F-6D, 1 A4D-1, 1 AD-5, 1 A3D-1, 1 A3D-2, 1 P2V-3, 1 P2V-2, 1 R4D-6, 1 R4D-5, 2 T-28BD, 2 JD-1D  & 14 F6F-5K drones. VX-5 has 13 aircraft consisting of 3 FJ-4B, 4 A4D-2,  2 AD-5N, 2 A3D-2, 2 TV-2 & 1 SNB-5.
• July 04 -- NOTSNIK Failure: exploded.
• July 18 -- NOTSNIK: exploded before lift-off.
• July 25 -- NOTSNIK: Radio contact lost; possibly reached orbit
• Aug. 12 -- NOTSNIK: exploded at ignition,
• Aug 16 -- NOTSNIK: structural failure.
• Aug 17 -- NOTSNIK: Structural failure.
• Aug 19 -- In its first successful flight a Tartar surface-to-air missile, fired at the NOTS, China Lake, intercepted an F6F drone.
• Aug 22 -- NOTSNIK: Radio contact lost; possibly reached orbit
• Aug 25 -- NOTSNIK: exploded,.
• Aug 26 -- NOTSNIK: stage failed to ignite, fell into the Pacific.
• Aug 28 -- NOTSNIK: a first stage motor failed to ignite causing structural failure.

Bob Bledsoe, aka Hacksaw, on the slightly modified Hot Rod mule, China Lake 1958.

Photo from Bob Bledsoe... note /1

R4D-6 Skytrain BuNo 50832, China Lake, circa 1958.

Global Air Image photo.

VMCJ-3 F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 125850, TN-11, circa 1958.

Photo from R. Powell

A3D-1 Skywarrior BuNo 135414, aka the Blue Goose, well polished and on the China Lake flight Line circa 1958.

photo from Kenny Bearden

T-28B Trojan BuNo 138192, China Lake, circa 1958.

Photo © Global Air Image

XR4D-8 Skytrain BuNo 138820, China Lake, circa 1958.

Global Air Image photo.

VX-5 FJ-4B Fury's BuNo 139551, XE-2, & BuNo 139555, XE-4, (pilot Lcdr. John E. Smerdon), air to air refueling, irca 1958.

Photo from David Smerdon.

JD-1D Invader, aka Jig Dog, BuNo 140356, China Lake, circa 1958.

Global Air Image photo.

VF-91 F-8C Crusaders BuNo 145581 & BuNo145583 low pass, 01 Jan. 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-2 Skyknight (possibly BuNo 127029), China Lake, 29 January 1958.

Photo from Larry McCarley.

AIM-9 Sidewinder-1A, China Lake, 03 February 1958

Official U.S. Navy.

F6F-6K Hellcat drone BuNo 94134, 11 Februray 1958.

Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

NASWF FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139541, XS-13B weapon, China Lake, 28 Feb 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NASWF FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139541, XS-13B weapon, China Lake, 28 Feb 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139308, ZUNI rocket launcher, China Lake, 01 Mar 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-104A Starfighter s/n 56-0737, sidewinder 1C missile, China Lake, 18 Mar 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 143706, sidewinder missile, China Lake, 18 Mar 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 143706, sidewinder missile, Last Chance canyon, 18 Mar 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 143706, F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133550 and F3D-1 Skyknight BuNo 123744 with Sidewinder missiles over Trona Terrain, 18 Mar 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-1 Skyknight BuNo 123744 & F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133550 with Sidewinder missiles over fumeroles, 18 Mar 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Hangar 3 construction site, China Lake, 24 March 1958.

Official U.S . Navy photo.

NAF F6F Hellcats including BuNo 0xx654, T-28 Trojans & R4D Skytrain BuNo 050785, China Lake, 24 March 1958.

Official U.S . Navy photo.

VX-5 AD-5 Skyraider BuNo 132488 and NAF F6F Hellcats BuNo 094425 & BuNo 0xx950, China Lake, 24 March 1958.

Official U.S . Navy photo.

Sierra Sam, ejection test dummy for the P6M test awits his ride on SNORT, China Lake, April 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

NOTS scientists prepare P6M Seamaster cockpit section for SNORT ejection test, China Lake, April 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

P6M Seamaster seat is rocket propelled clear of the aft hatch, SNORT, China Lake, April 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

P6M Seamaster rockets propel first seat as 2nd seat begins to emerge, SNORT, China Lake, April 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

P6M Seamaster rockets continues to propel first seat as 2nd seat emerges, SNORT, China Lake, April 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745, Sidewinder 1A missile, China Lake, 10 Apr 1957.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139308 & ZUNI FFAR's, ca. 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo from the Secret City video.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139308 & ZUNI FFAR's, ca. 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo from the Secret City video.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 143706, A4D-1 Skyhawk & A4D-2 Skyhawk, Rockeye & ordies, China Lake Hot Line, early 1958 as 143706 crashed 09 May 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo from the Secret City video.

F3H-2N Demon, probably NSWEF Albq., China Lake, 16 Apr 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

SNORT water brake creates artistic patterns as the liquid-engine sled is decelerated from a 920 mph test run by the water brake, China Lake, AFD 1958

Official U.S. Navy photo, NOTS Report 1938, published 1 July 1958.

The Propellent and Explosives Department acquires the 50 ton deck hangar from the submarine Sea Lion for use as a high altitude test chamber.

After modification the chamber will be used to test pyrotechnics, igniters and small scale rocket motors to be fired at extreme altitudes. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Hi-altitude chamber and what looks to be a Tiny Tim rocket.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9 Sidewinder display, Corona, 17 May 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133550, Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 27 May 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133550 and GMU-61 project pilots, China Lake, circa 1958.

Standing L-r: LCDR Gordon Duncan; CDR Selden N. May OIC; and LCDR Herkimer E. Kamp.

On wing L-r: LT T.S. Rogers and USMC CAPT R.E. Howard.

Bob Bledsoe shooting MIG's from F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133550, China Lake, circa 1958.

Photo from Bob Bledsoe.

VX-5 A3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630, XE-15, about June 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JD-1D Invader BuNo 071142, Hot Line, China Lake, 05 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

VMCJ-3 F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo's 124596 & 125846, China Lake, 05 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, Project "NOTSNIK" test shape ready for flight, China Lake, 05 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, Project "NOTSNIK" test shape ready for flight, China Lake, 06 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, Project "NOTSNIK" test shape getting airborne, China Lake, 05 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

VX-5 AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132xxx, XE-21, HOPI, China Lake, 06 June 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139551, XE-2, HOPI, China Lake, 06 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, p/c A.L. Burns, HOPI on the center line station, China Lake, 06 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A3D-1 Skywarrior BuNo 142630, XE-15, HOPI upload, China Lake, 06 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AD-4B Skyraider BuNo 132325, China Lake, 06 Jun 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-104A Starfighter s/n 56-0736, sidewinder 1B missile, China Lake, 10 Jul 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-104A Starfighter s/n 56-0736, sidewinder 1B missile, China Lake, 10 Jul 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745, NOTS Project, China Lake, 05 Aug 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130742, hooking a DART tow target, China Lake, circa 1958.

Photo & comment from S. Joel Premselaar... note /2

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, Notsnik project pilot S. Joel Premselaar, circa 1958.

Photo & comment from S. Joel Premselaar... note /3

USAF YF-104A serial number 55-2969, China Lake, circa 1958

Photo from S. Joel Premselaar.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, NOTS Project, China Lake, 12 Aug 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Hangar 3 construction, China Lake, 22 August 1958.

Official U.S . Navy photo.

Hangar 3 construction, China Lake, 22 August 1958.

Official U.S . Navy photo.

NOTSNIK - Air Launch of the second pilot, 12 Aug 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo from the Secret City video.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, NOTSNIK, China Lake, 1958.

Official U.S. Navy Photo, China Lake Archives.

NAF pilots and plane captains in front of a F3H Demon, F8U-1 Crusader & F4D-1 Skyray, China Lake, November 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo. Note /5

Terrier missiles, China Lake, November 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

F3D Skyknight BuNo 123744, Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 20 Nov 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 145331, firing sidewinder 1A missile, China Lake, 02 Oct 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 145443, firing sidewinder 1A missile, China Lake, 02 Oct 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9 Sidewinder-1C with continuous rod warhead in tail attack art, 13 October 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Test sled simulates flight conditions, SNORT, China Lake, November 1958.

Naval Aviation News photo.

A4D Skyhawk, Hot Point drop, China Lake, 19 Dec 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D Skyhawk, Hot Point drop, China Lake, 19 Dec 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139537 with six 5" FFAR ZUNI rocket pods, circa 1958.

North American Aviation photo.

NOTS Crash Crew, all unknown except Lawrence Lewis who is standing at far right, China Lake, 1958.

Photo from Lawrence Lewis.

Armitage Field Gas Farm, Driver Ron Erbland, tractor 96-09471, Tank Trailer 97-07633, 1958.

Photo from Ron Erbland.

Fighter Line (Hot Line) line crew, F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 145331 and F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745, China Lake, circa 1958/1959.

L-r standing: Line Chief (aka Stoneface), Bob "Hacksaw" Bledsoe, Bob "Snake" Dituri, others unknown.

photo from Bob Bledsoe.

XASM-N-8 Corvus Air to ground anti-radiation missile (ARM), circa 1958.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

/1 Had a roll bar, extended gearshift, competition wheel discs etc. Looks like Hacksaw is getting ready to do a burnout.... Geez Bob I didn't know we used the line equipment to fool around.

/2 the Dart was constructed of plywood and equipped with aluminum corner reflectors. The reflectors provided a means for the Mk. 16 Fire Control's radar to lock on to the wood target. Ground personnel would radio us when we hooked on to the target's tow line. The tow line was stretched out from the point of pickup to where the Dart was lying attached to the tow line facing backward. Upon hearing that we had an engagement, we'd pull up sharply and then flatten out. This technique developed a catenary in the line that absorbed the shock of the Dart's lift off.

/3 this was a publicity shot for NOTSNIK which was America's first attempt to launch a satellite from an aircraft.. I, along with one or two others, most notably Bill West, had the pleasure of launching it. There were several attempts to put it in orbit, most failed. Running in at full power in AB at an altitude of 35K, launch was on a southerly course along the Santa Barbara Islands using the Honeywell Mk. 18A LABS (low altitude bombing system) gear to release the store at 57 degrees. Adding an angle of attack of about 15 degrees (just under max coefficient of lift) left you at 75 degrees upon release. With carry through added to that, I opted for a zero "g" recovery to preclude flameout.

/4 the F-104 was used for supersonic Sidewinder compatibility studies. One interesting sidenote. At about 1.2 Mach, the shockwave rested on the nose of the sidewinder (mounted on the wing tips) to the detriment of the IR coolant. In the transonic speed range, supersonic speed exists between adjacent stores; the attendant heat is cause for concern in aircraft carrying multiple stores.

/5 standing l-r: LCdrs G.W. Bailey, S.J. Premselaar, H.E. Camp & R.O. Westcott.
Kneeling l-r: plane captains K.L. Vollmert, R.C. Thormahlen, W.H. Smith and L.D. Gaston.