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<-- 1958 1959 Aircraft Photo Gallery. Last updated 11 May, 2008 <1960 -->
• Jan 1  -- NAF has 62 aircraft consisting of 1 AD-4B, 1 HRS-3, 1 F8U-1, 1 YF8U-1, 1 F9F-8B, 2 FJ-4, 2 F3H-2N, 2 F3D-2T2, 1 YF3D-1, 1 F4D-1, 4 F9F-6D, 1 A4D-1, 1 AD-5, 1 A3D-1, 1 A3D-2, 1 P2V-3B, 1 P2V-3, 1 R4D-6, 1 R4D-5, 2 T-28BD, 1 T-28B, 2 JD-1D, 3 F9F-6K  & 29 F6F-5K drones. VX-5 has 17 aircraft consisting of 1 F9F-8, 5 FJ-4B, 5 A4D-2,  1 AD-6, 2 AD-5N, 1 A3D-2, 1 TV-2 & 1 SNB-5.
• Development completed of the variable-thrust rocket engine.
• The Skyline facility, for testing large solid-propellant motors, completed at China Lake Propulsion Laboratory.
• Zuni rocket put into mass production.
• Polaris static-test facility, Skytop, completed at China Lake Propulsion Laboratory.
• RAPEC (rocket-assisted personnel-ejection catapult) released to the fleet.
• June -- CDR Herk Camp had engine trouble on takeoff in YF-104A 55-2956 and ran off the end of the runway resulting in strike damage to the Starfighter.
• Jul 1  -- NAF has 64 aircraft consisting of 1 HRS-3, 1 F8U-1, 1 YF8U-1, 1 F9F-8, 2 FJ-4, 1 F3H-2N, 3 F3D-2T2, 1 F3D-2, 1 F4D-1, 4 F9F-6D, 1 A4D-1, 1 AD-5, 1 A3D-1, 1 A3D-2, 1 P2V-4, 1 P2V-3B, 1 R4D-6, 1 R4D-5, 2 T-28BD, 1 T-28B, 2 JD-1D, 21 F9F-6K  & 15 F6F-5K drones. VX-5 has 14 aircraft consisting of 5 FJ-4B, 4 A4D-2, 1 AD-5N, 1 A3D-2, 2 TV-2 & 1 SNB-5.
• Aug 03 -- The first flight test of the antisubmarine missile Subroc was successfully completed by a launch from a shore installation at NOTS China Lake.
• October -- RADM William D. Irwin, Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force & members of his staff inspected VX-5 & observed operational flights. Full scale training shapes & practice bombs were delivered on the C-3 Nuclear Weapons Delivery Traing Range from A4D-2, FJ-4B & A3D-2 aircraft.
• November -- The Multiple Carriage Bomb Rack (MCBR) developed by VX-5 was tested

AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132xxx, ASROC depth charge, China Lake, 30 Apr 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AD-5 Skyraider BuNo 132656, Phoenix, AZ, 15 March 1959.

photo from Wayne Mutza collection.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 145041, Mk-7 nuclear shape (T-63) on the centerline, circa 1959.

photographer unknown, G. Verver collection.

CNO Adm. Arleigh A. Burke is greeted by NOTS CO Capt. William W. Hollister on his arrival at China Lake, 14 Apr 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 124616, CNO Adm. Arleigh A. Burke & pilot Cdr. Selden May, CO of GMU-61, conduct preflight walkaround, China Lake, 14 Apr 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 124616, Adm. Burke is assisted by the plane captain and Cdr. May as he 'climbs' aboard, China Lake, 14 Apr 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 124616 & sidewinder missile, plane captain assisting Adm. Burke, China Lake, 14 Apr 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 124616, CNO & entourage after scoring a perfect hit with the Sidewinder, China Lake, 14 Apr 1959.

L-R: Marine aide, Capt. William W. Hollister, Cdr. Selden May, Rear Adm Paul D. Stroop (Chief of BuOrd), Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, Dr. Wm. B. McLean and unidentified U.S. Navy Capt.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142121, XE-7, refueling another VX-5 A-4B BuNo 142792, XE-8, with a T-63 on the centerline, 27 April 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Twin mounted Terrier missile launcher, China Lake, April 1959.

Naval Aviation News photo.

USMC GMTU-25 personnel approach missile launcher on Twin Terrier missile carriers, China Lake, April 1959.

Naval Aviation News photo.

China Lake Marine Misslemen assigned to the GMTU are charged with testing all missiles which interest the Corp., April 1959.

Here they launch and monitor the flight of twin mounted Terrier missiles.

Naval Aviation News photo.

AD-4B Skyraider BuNo132325, Mk-44 torpedo release, China Lake, circa 1959.

photo from Wayne Mutza collection.

YA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Mk-11 (20mm) gun pod, China Lake, 08 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Mk-11 (20mm) gun pod, China Lake, 08 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Mk-11 (20mm) gun pod, China Lake, 08 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 FJ-4 Fury BuNo 139554, XE-03, pilot Lcdr. John E. Smerdon, China Lake, ca. 1958-1960.

Photo from David Smerdon.

JD-1D Jig Dog, KDA-4 drone, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JD-1D Jig Dog, KDA-4 drone, hangar 2 in the background, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

KDA-4 drone detail, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

DT-28B Trojan BuNo 138296, location unknown, May 1959

Photographer unknown.

DT-28B Trojan drone controller, BuNo 138296, China Lake, circa 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-6 Cougar BuNo 128233, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-6 Cougar BuNo 128250, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-7 Cougar BuNo 130867, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-7 Cougar BuNo 130905, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-7 Cougar BuNo 131061, China Lake, 12 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-2T2 Skyknight BuNo 125870 & BuNo 127083 in the background, NAF China Lake, about 1959

Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

F9F-6D Cougar drone director BuNo 127319, NAF China Lake, about 1959

Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

A3D-1 Skywarrior BuNo 135414, NAF China Lake, about 1959.

Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133565, NAF China Lake, about 1959.

Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142121, XE-23, refueling VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, circa 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo, Tom Scott collection.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, NAF China Lake, about 1959.

Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, refueling VX-5 A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142654, XE-15, about 1959.

Photo G. Verver collection.

A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142404, NAF China Lake, about 1959.

Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

USAF B-52A Stratofortress s/n 52-002 on the 14-32 taxiway, China Lake, 29 May 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 145041, XE-5, hot WX is upon us, China Lake, ca. 1959.

U.S. Navy photo from Lift & Drag via R. Puszcz.

F9F-8 Cougar BuNo 141050, firing ZUNI 5" FFAR's, China Lake, 02 Jul 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745, flare boom, China Lake, 20 Jul 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745, circa 1959.

Naval Aviation News photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130745, circa 1959.

Naval Aviation News photo.

F6F-5K Hellcat drone BuNo 79863, China Lake, 31 August 1959.

F9F-6 Cougar at right is BuNo 130943.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Frank Turchi.

Left side of VX-5 Squadron photo, China Lake, 1959.

L-R front row: A4D-2 Skyhawks BuNo's 142417, XE-10; BuNo 142095, XE-9; BuNo 142792, XE-8; BuNo 142122, XE-6; and BuNo 142121, XE-7.

L-R back row AD-5N Skyraiders XE-21 and XE-22.

Photo from Ron Erbland

Center of VX-5 Squadron photo, China Lake, 1959.

At center A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142654, XE-15.

Photo from Ron Erbland

Right side of VX-5 Squadron photo, China Lake, 1959.

L-R front row: FJ-4B Furys BuNo's 139555, XE-4; BuNo 139549, XE-1; BuNo 143493, XE-5; & BuNo 139554, XE-3.

L-R back row AD-6 Skyraider XE-14; F9F-8 Cougar XE-11; and FJ-4B Fury BuNo's 143494, XE-2.

Photo from Ron Erbland

Quicktrans C-54 Nxx423, China Lake, 04 Oct. 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Quicktrans C-54 Nxx423, SUBROC motor, China Lake, 04 Oct. 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, China Lake, circa 1959.

Naval Aviation News photo.

F4D-1 Skyray BuNo 130747, NOTSNIK, about 1959.

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

YF-104A Starfighter BuNo 55-2956, China Lake, about June 1959.

photo from G. Verver collection.

YF-104A Starfighter BuNo 55-2956, pilots & sand crabs, China Lake, about June1959.

Pilots L-r: Herk Camp, Bob Howard & Bob Pipkin.

Civilians L-r: Dick Hape, unknown & unknown.

Photo courtesy of the China Lake Museum Foundation.

YF-104A Starfighter BuNo 55-2956 after it ran off the runway and sustained strike damage, China Lake, June 1959.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

F-104A Starfighter BuNo 56-0757, China Lake, about 1959.

photo from G. Verver collection.

Advance Terrier missles launches during test firing at China Lake, September 1959.

Naval Aviation News photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137814, VX-4, XF-43, 12 September 1959.

This Skyhawk was re-assigned to China Lake and retired in late 1963, early 1964, and is currently on display in the China Lake traffic circle.

photo by P. Stevens, Mike Wilson collection.

NAF F-104A Starfighter BuNo 56-0740, China Lake, 05 Nov 1959.

photo from G. Verver collection.

GMU-61 decommissioning circa July 1959. The officers are CDR Seldon May & LT Pipkin.

Photo from Mike Kott who is 2nd from right in the back row.

GMU-61 decommissioning circa July 1959. The officers are CDR Seldon May & LT Pipkin.

Photo from Mike Kott who is 2nd from right in the back row.

Don Formentini on the tug next to F4D-1 BuNo 130745, China Lake, 1959.

Photo from Don Formentini.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 144435 and plane captain Don Formentini & Larry Patton 3rd & 4th from left, China Lake, 1959.

Photo from Don Formentini.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 144435 and plane captain Don Formentini, China Lake, 1959.

Photo from Don Formentini.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 144435 and plane captain Don Formentini in the intake at far right, China Lake, 1959.

Photo from Don Formentini.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 144435 and plane captain Don Formentini next to F-104A Starfighter 56-0740, China Lake, 1959.

Photo from Don Formentini.

F2H Banshee simulated fuze target intercept test, aircraft velocity 675 ft/sec, altitude 15 feet above simulated target, 01 August 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4 Skyhawk Escape System Test, SNORT, China Lake 07 September 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, MCBR, Mk-82 bombs with NOTS bands, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, MCBR, Mk-82 bombs with NOTS bands, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, MCBR and Mk-82 bombs, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo from LtGEN Fitch.

Multiple Carriage Bomb Rack (MCBR) patent drawings.

Photo from LtGEN Fitch.

Multiple Carriage Bomb Rack (MCBR) patent drawings.

Photo from LtGEN Fitch.

F9F-7 Cougar BuNo 130905, BuNo 130930 & BuNo 128246, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143494, XE-2, NOTS Bands, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959. Three 500 lb. bombs on #2 & #4 and three 250 lb. bombs on #1 and #5.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143494, XE-2, NOTS Bands, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959.

Three 500 lb. bombs on #2 & #4 and three 250 lb. bombs on #1 and #5.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818 in front of hangar 3, H-19 in the hangar looks to be BuNo 130258, China Lake, 24 November 1959.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142122, XE-6, MCBR and Mk-82 bombs, Yuma, December 1959.

Photo from Ray Powell.

VX-5 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143493, XE-5, air refueling tank, China Lake, 19 Nov 1959.

photographer unknown

F6F-5K Hellcat drone BuNo 79863, China Lake, 01 Jan 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

P-38L Lightning s/n 44-27183, N501MI, China Lake, 01 Jan 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo... Note /1

P-38L Lightning s/n 44-27183, N501MI, China Lake, 01 Jan 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo... Note /1

C-119G Flying Boxcar s/n 51-2716, VIP ramp area, China Lake, 01 January 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

C-119G Flying Boxcar s/n 53-8114, VIP ramp area, China Lake, 01 January 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF EC-135K Flying Command Post s/n 55-3118 (note the ground crew are wearing the VIP coveralls), China Lake, 01 January 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF EC-135K Flying Command Post s/n 55-3118 (note the ground crew are wearing the VIP coveralls), China Lake, 01 January 1960.

Official U.S. Navy photo.
/1 Capt. Grell's official goldfish transport. It's bowl was fitted with a half-turn three point locking base, and it fastened to the nose. During those extremely hot days, the duty officer was asked to get the fish up into cooler air. The bowl was located on the nose so the pilot could see if the water level was getting too low.