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<-- 1960 1961 Photo Gallery. Last updated 18 March, 2008 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 1 -- administrative control of San Clemente Island was assigned to NOTS.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 FJ-4B Fury BuNo 141478, just received, gets a full inventory and inspection, 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.

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 Crusader 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.

NMC GMU-7 TF4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145317, CALEB, China Lake, 05 October 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-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.

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.

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, G. Verver collection.

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

Official U.S. Navy photo, G. Verver collection.

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

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

F8U-1E Crusader, BuNo 145443, Sidewinder missile, China Lake, ca. 1961.

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

F8U-1E Crusader, BuNo 145443, firing a Sidewinder missile, 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