Site Search Yellowsheet mailto:gverver

<-- 1960 1961 Photo Gallery. Last updated 12 July, 2010 1962 -->
• Jan 1 -- NAF has 30 aviation officers, 1 other officers, 403 enlisted and 53 aircraft consisting of 4 FJ-3D2, 2 T28-BD, 1 P2V-5D, 1 P2V-4, 2 JD-1D, 15 F9F-6K, 4 F6F-5K, 1 R4D-8, 1 R4D-6, 1 HRS-3, 1 AD-5N, 1 A4D-2N, 2 A4D-2, 3 A4D-1, 1 FJ-4, 2 FJ-4B, 3 F3D-2, 1 F4D, 1 F-104A, 3 F8U-1, 1 F8U-2N, 1 F9F-8T, 1 S2F-3. VX-5 has 27 aviation officers, 2 other officers, 185 enlisted and 12 aircraft consisting of 1 SNB-5, 1 F9F-8T, 3 FJ-4B, 4 A4D-2N, 2 A4D-2 & 1 A4D-1.
• The Propulsion Applied Research Laboratory, first of its type in the nation, established.
• Sixteen Cyclops silver iodide generators dropped into Hurricane Esther, destroyed 1/3 of the cloud wall.
• Dedication of Skytop II, one of the Navy's largest vertical nozzle-down facilities.
• April 28 -- U.S. Marine Corp Capt. David L. Hess lost his life from injuries sustained on April 7th when his Navy F-104A Starfighter (56-0757) crashed at George AFB.
• July 01 -- The administration and support of the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, San Clemente Island, were assigned to the NAF CO.
• Aug 28 -- NOTS, China Lake reported on tests of Snakeye I mechanical retardation devices which were being developed to permit low altitude bombing with the MK 80 family of low drag bombs.
• Oct. 05 -- uprated CALEB failed from unknown cause.

F9F-6KD Cougar drone BuNo 130944, China Lake, 1961.

Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

Drone crew and F6F-5K Hellcat drone BuNo 94263, China Lake, circa 1961.

Photo from Frank Turchi.

VAH-6 A3D-1 Skywarrior BuNo 142404, NAF radar tower in the background, China Lake, 01 Feb 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, China Lake, 01 February 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

RAdm Dean Black (c) is shown following an inspection of the VX-5 designed FJ-4B Fury bomb rack during his visit here this week. He witnessed a demonstration of the rack in use at Charlie Range. Others (l-r) are Cdr. Bob Kuntz, Capt. W. W. Hollister, and Cdr . C. L. (Pappy) Wilson. Admiral Black is Deputy Commander, Field Command, Defense Atomic Support Agency, Sandia Base, Albuquerque NM. China Lake 10 February 1961. Rocketeer photo.

VMA-211 A4D-2N Skyhawk formation, CF-2 BuNo 145125, CF-15 BuNo 145109, CF-14 BuNo 145113 & CF-5 BuNo 145101, China Lake, 13 Feb 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139285, SADIE, China Lake, 15 Feb 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Helicopter ROP, T range, 17 February 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Monterey Navy League Council poses in front of VR-21 R4Y-1 Samaritan BuNo 141010, RZ-010, China Lake, 14 October 1960. Rocketeer photo.

Cdr. Robert E. Kuntz (l) hands his aircraft fire control grip handle to LCdr Boyd Muncie who takes over as the Squadrons Project Director. Cdr. Kuntz will assume command of VF-21, NAS Alameda. China Lake, 3 March 1961. Rocketeer photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-256 practice fuse, China Lake, 13 Mar 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-256 practice fuse, China Lake, 13 Mar 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Veteran NAF pilots LCdrs. Walt Henning, Andy Berthelson, and NAF drone aircraft controller LCdr. John McIlmoil, saved the taxpayer and the Navy an estimated $100,000 by their quick thinking and skill when they safely landed F9F-6K Cougar drone B, China Lake, March 1961. Rocketeer photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143656, ARM (aka SHRIKE), China Lake, 22 Mar 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143605 & Shrike missile, 29 May 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo. Roger Summers collection.

Capt. Charles Blenman Jr., Prospective Station Commander, is shown with LCdr. James F. McNerney making a pre-flight inspection of a VX-5 FJ-4B Fury's landing gear during his visit here last week. He also met with Station top management personnel while here. Capt. Blenman is presently Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force at Norfolk. China Lake, 31 March 1961. Rocketeer photo.

A close-up view of VX-5 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139549, XE-11, equipped with VX-5's Universal Bomb Rack shows how a cluster of three bombs can be mounted on a single pylon which was originally designed to carry one weapon. The revised adapter permits salvo as well as individual bomb release. China Lake, 31 March 1961. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Squadron inspection, China Lake, 04 April 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Tom Scott... note /1

AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132521, Lazy Dog dispenser, China Lake, 13 Apr 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145310 with 22 500 lb. bombs on MBER's, circa April 1961.

Photo from Ray Powell.

4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145310 with 22 500 lb. bombs on MBER's, circa April 1961.

Photo from Ray Powell.

4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145310 with 22 500 lb. bombs on MBER's, circa April 1961.

Photo from Ray Powell.

F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 125807, China Lake, May 1961.

Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Walleye I, China Lake, 17 May 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Walleye I, China Lake, 17 May 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Walleyes, China Lake, 18 May 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VA-113 Stingers, A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 147759, China Lake, 01 Jun 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo... note /2

VA-112 Bombing Broncos, A4D-2 Skyhawk, modex 201, China Lake, 09 Jun 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo... note /3

HSS-1N Sea Horse BuNo 145672 on COSO range, June 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 F4H-1F Phantom II BuNo 143390, XE-17, circa June 1961.

Photo from Ray Powell.

AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132521, CALEB upload, China Lake, 19 Jun 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143605, ARM Pod, China Lake, 22 Jun 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F3D-1 Skyknight BuNo 123744, firing Sidewinder 1C missile, F3H-2N Demon BuNo 133550 escort, China Lake, 27 Jun 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Gladeye dispenser, China Lake, 10 Jul. 1961

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Standing in front of FJ-4B Fury BuNo 141450 and by the camera Capsule which he developed is Art Block, Scientific Photographer. The pod was built from salvage costing only about $200. Block has been employed at NOTS for the past 12 years. China Lake, 14 July 1961. Rocketeer photo.

Naval Air Facility sign, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

F9F-6K2 Cougar drone BuNo 127341, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

F9F-6K2 Cougar drone BuNo's 127341, 131045, 130950, 130954 & 4 others, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

F9F-6K Cougar drone BuNo 128273, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818 at bottom of photo, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, A4D-2N 145068, FJ-4B 141478, A4D-2N 145064, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, A4D-2N 145068, FJ-4B 141478, A4D-2N 145064, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, two FJ Fury's & three A4D Skyhawks, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 146425, hangar 3, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VAH-123 A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 147654, NJ-4, hangar 3, China Lake, circa July 1961.

Photo by Larry Ruybal.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, MBER with retarded fin Snakeyes, China Lake, 10 Aug. 1961

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, MBER with retarded fin Snakeyes, China Lake, 10 Aug. 1961

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A Netherlands Navy P2V Neptune is loaded with 5" HVAR's, China Lake, 29 Aug 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063, ROCKEYE test, China Lake, ca. Aug 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo, R. Puszcz.

Mercury capsule unload, China Lake, 31 Aug 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Mercury capsule unload, China Lake, 31 Aug 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-6K Cougar 'Redbird' BuNo 127390, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-3D2 Sabre drone controller BuNo 135788, China Lake, circa61.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-3D2 Fury BuNo 135788, China Lake. Although dated 1965, the photo is circa 1961 as the last FJ-3D2 was transferred to Litchfield Park in 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-3D2 Fury BuNo 135894, China Lake. Although dated 1965, the photo is ca. Sep. 1961 as the last FJ-3D2 was transferred to Litchfield Park in 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

FJ-3D2 Fury BuNo 135894, China Lake. Although dated 1965, the photo is ca. Sep. 1961 as the last FJ-3D2 was transferred to Litchfield Park in 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

CDR R.E. Kuntz on telephone is VX-5's Project Director, China Lake, August 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

VX-5 project pilots hold a planning meeting, China Lake, August 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

VX-5 Lt. G.E. LeBlanc reports to CO CAPT VanMeter next to A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137829, China Lake, August 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

VX-5 CAPT Y.W. Vincent and CDR H.H. Robcke check rack design, China Lake, August 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Padeye smoke tank, China Lake, August 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo via R. Powell.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Padeye smoke tank, China Lake, August 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo via R. Powell.

VX-5 A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 145041 in flight with VX-5 developed MCBR's, August 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

MK-81 retarded fin Snakeye, China Lake, September 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137814, Cyclops camera pod, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 146425, APQ-89 radar, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 146425, APQ-89 radar, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 146425, APQ-89 radar control panel, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VAH-9 A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142650, Project Cyclops, China Lake, 01 September 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VAH-9 A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142650, Cyclops silver iodide generators, China Lake, 01 September 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VAH-9 A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142650, Project Cyclops hurricane seeding, China Lake, circa September 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-44 bombs, China Lake, 02 Sep1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132612, Sadeye, China Lake, 12 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132612, ZUNI launcher, China Lake, circa 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF C-133 Cargo Master s/n 59-0536, SIP upload, Tabstone launcher, China Lake, 21 Sep 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Replacement Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 51 HSS-2 Sea Kings, So. side of hangar 3, 22 September 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Officers of the Replacement Carrier Anti Submarine Air Group Fifty-One who lead the 17-helicopter group on a two-day visit to NOTS (l-r) are: Cdr. W. L. Bennett, HS-10 CO; Cdr. D. W. Hazelton, Commander, Air Group Fifty-One; Cdr. C. L. Otti,

VS-41 CO; and Cdr. C. S. Zinn, ComAirPac Staff. China Lake, 22 Deptember 1961. Rocketeer photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Walleye, China Lake, 22 Sep 1961,

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Rapec ejection seat, SNORT, China Lake, October 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Mock up of Chance Vought Optimum Survival and Containment System (OSCAR) escape capsule. The solid fuel rocket motors were designed by China Lake.

Naval Aviation News photo.

F8U-1E Crusader BuNo 144435 and Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 01 Oct 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

P2V-4 Neptune BuNo 124238, Skywarrior nose, China Lake, circa6 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

P2V-4 Neptune BuNo 124238 with A3D Skywarrior nose, China Lake, 01 Oct 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 145068, Dirty Duster, Los Angeles, 03 Oct 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Dirty Duster, 03 Oct 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF F4H-1F Phantom BuNo 145310 & NMC GMU-7 TF4H-1 Phantom BuNo 145317, CALEB, China Lake, 05 October 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VA-145 AD-6 Skyraiders wait their turn to be loaded aboard the USS Oriskany, HU-1 DET F HUP-3 Retriever BuNo 14762x, UP-11, at right.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VX-5 A4D Skyhawks at left and VAW-11 Det. F S2F Trackers at right (NK-772 in the foreground) aboard the USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VAH-6 A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 147659, NG-1, aboard the USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VA-145 AD-6 Skyraiders (BuNo 139785, NK-502 in the foreground) and HU-1 DET F HUP-3 Retriever BuNo 14762x, UP-11, getting airborne, USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VA-145 AD-6 Skyraiders (BuNo 134594, NK-503 in the foreground) and VF-142 F8U-2 Crusaders wait their turn to be loaded aboard the USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VAH-6 A3D-2 Skywarrior, NG-3, and VF-141 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143620 aboard the USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VA-144 and/or VA-146 FJ-4B Furys aboard the USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

VF-141 F3H-2 Demon BuNo 143424 aboard the USS Oriskany.

October 1961 VX-5 deployment photo by Tom Scott.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Rockeye, China Lake, 03 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Rockeye, China Lake, 03 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Rockeye, China Lake, 03 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-116 Weteye chemical bomb, China Lake, 07 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Weteye, China Lake, 07 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

The second-stage Polaris motor is shown during final preparation preceding the first firing at Skytop II on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15 1961. This is the Navy's only vertical nozzle-down facility in the nation. Rocketeer photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137822, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 17 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137822, Shrike missile, China Lake, 17 Nov 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 144430 with Delmar tow rig, China Lake, 18 November 1961.

Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

P2V-5FD Neptune BuNo 128345, BQM-34 drones, (KD-4755 on the port wing), NAF China Lake, November 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo, Tailhook Assoc. collection courtesy of Mahlon Miller.

T28-BD Trojan BuNo 138296, NAF China Lake, November 1961.

Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

XR4D-8 Skytrain BuNo 138820, China Lake, November 1961.

Photographed by Clay Jansson, Tailhook Assoc. collection courtesy of Mahlon Miller.

Fourteen men of Guided-Missile Unit 25 received advancement in rates last week. Men who advanced in rates were J. J. Alessio, D. D. Brown, R. G. Calder. D. J. Caspary, R. E. Corzine, E. C. DeVito, B. A. Greenan, J. E. Heinz, J. P. Lobbestael, R. L. Rushing, J. P. Shannon, R. E. Sheffey, L. P. Snyder and M. J. Tillostson. Lcdr. J. R. Griffin, O in C, made the presentations, China Lake, 10 December 1961. Rocketeer photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Mk-116 Weteye chemical bombs, China Lake, 05 Dec 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Snakeyes, China Lake, 12 Dec 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Gladeye dispenser, China Lake, 21 December 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Rockeye drop, China Lake, 21 Dec 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Elfmobile Mk-83 upload, China Lake, 26 Dec 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-6P Cougar BuNo 127491, RAPEC polar test, China Lake, 27 Dec 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F9F-6P Cougar BuNo 127491, RAPEC polar test, China Lake, 27 Dec 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F8U-2N Crusader, BuNo 147049, Sidewinder missiles, China Lake, ca. 1961.

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

F9F-7K Cougar drone BuNo 130950 over the Sierras, winter 1961/62.

Photo from E. Mares.

Periscope view of solid-fuel SUBROC ASW as it launches from the sub, will re-enter the sea and home in on its target, circa 1961.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Range Harp used on C-Range to accurately record the position of aircraft during bomb delivery on ground targets, China Lake, circa 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Range Harp used on C-Range to accurately record the position of aircraft during bomb delivery on ground targets, China Lake, circa 1961.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

China Lake's Soft-Landing Vehicle (SLV) during control testing, 1961.

Another outgrowth of NOTS' unparalleled propulsion expertise, the SLV was an early prototype moon-lander that demonstrated advanced hypergolic-fuel, demand-thust, and autonomous-control technologies; this unit committed suicide following the final test of the program.

Chemiluminescent (chemical-light) compounds and devices, China Lake, circa 1961.

Center-developed chemlights first used in Vietnam have become the standard for military and civilian use and are available in various colors and spectra.

/1 clockwise from center: F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 147367 (XE-16), A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 147667 (XE-15), FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139549 (XE-11), AD-6 Skyraider BuNo 139771 (#204), A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 145112 (XE-8) & YF4H-1F Phantom II BuNo 143390 (XE-14).

/2 standing l-r: Don Harlan, Ray Barnes, Stan Barnett, Marv Clark, L. C. Showman, **** Robinson, Dan Johnson, Doug Mayfield, A. A. 'Al' Schaufelberger and ***try R****; kneeling l-r: Phil Johnson, Phil D. Isaac, Lyle Olson, Duff Arnold, CO L .A. Tomkins, D. Scotty Greiling, E. J. Jacobs, Tom C. Kennedy and George C. Creighton III.

/3 standing l-r: LCdr. Rothrock (CVG11), Connell, Pierce, Davidson, Law, Puerling?, Bin*er, Metteer, Hall, VanHoose, Artim, Lemke & White (Douglas a/c).  Front row l-r: Callahan, Mc Donald, Cdr. Laws, Cdr. J. T. Parady, Rector, Cook & F***ly