VX-5 Vampires A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 145041, XE-5 and A4D-2 BuNo 142122 in mottled brown camouflage, in-flight circa 1960-1962. Official U.S. Navy photo from Dave Woolsey.

NAF China Lake F3D-2T Skyknight BuNo 125807 in flight circa 1961. Photo courtesy of Angelo Romano www.navarchives.com.

VAH-6 Fleurs A3D-1 Skywarrior BuNo 142404, NAF radar tower in the background, China Lake, 01 Feb 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-83 on the stbd wing, NAF China Lake, 01 February 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Explosives storage area, China Lake, 06 February 1961.

RAdm Dean Black (c) is shown following an inspection of the VX-5 Vampires 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. Adm. Black is Deputy Commander, Field Command, Defense Atomic Support Agency, Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM. China Lake 10 February 1961. Rocketeer photo.

VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers 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.

NAF China Lake 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.

Posing in front of an unknown VX-5 Vampires Skyhawk 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.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-256 practice fuze with cameras on the wing stations, north side of hangar 3, China Lake, 13 Mar 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-256 practice fuze with cameras on the wing stations, north side of hangar 3, China Lake, 13 Mar 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Veteran NAF China Lake 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 BuNo 128292, China Lake, 10 March 1961. Rocketeer photo. The Cougar had a gash 8" x 8' long in its tail section that damaged the rudder controls. At the time, NAF had ten flyable F9F-6K jet drones, seven Ryan KDA-4 Firebees radio controlled drones, five Beechcraft KDB missile target drones, and four F6F Grumman Hellcats.

Catshell Sled, the U.S. Army's "soft-recovery" vehicle is composed of three parts: the main wedge in the forefont; the recovery box filled with Ensolite, a sponge rubber material, mounted on five 50,000 lb. thrust motors which are separately primed but simultaneously fired, China Lake, 17 March 1961. Rocketeer photo.

This extraordinary photograph taken with a 70 mm "ballistic synchro" camera, which revolves at the same relative speed as sled, shows projectile overtaking rocket sled at SNORT, 17 March 1961. Rocketeer photo. At time of catch the 118 lb. shell is travelling at 1,625 feet per second and the sled at 1,450 ft., per second. Intercept occurs 1,000 feet from Howitzer's muzzle to recover an undamaged 155mm projectile. The shell's blunt nose is only a test feature to reduce catch velocity.

U.S. Army project coordinator 1st. Lt. William S. Fiske from the Experimental Test and Evaluation Section of the Technical Services Laboratory at Picatinny temporarily assigned to the Catshell test program at NOTS, turns from the 25-powered binocular in the fire control booth at SNORT after tracking a successful double-shot sled run, China Lake, 17 March 1961. Rocketeer photo.

Soft-Landing Vehicle (SLV), China Lake, 21 March 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143656, ARM (aka SHRIKE), China Lake, 22 March 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143656, ARM (aka SHRIKE), China Lake, 22 March 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Capt. Charles Blenman Jr., Prospective Station Commander, is shown with LCdr. James F. McNerney making a pre-flight inspection of a VX-5 Vampires 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 Vampires 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 Vampires A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 147667, XE-15, Feb-May 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo from Rich Galope.

VX-5 Vampires inspection by RAdm. Rodee. CW 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. Armitage Field, China Lake, 05 April 1961. Photo from Tom Scott.

VX-5 Vampires Aerology display, hangar 1, China Lake, 05 April 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo from Tom Scott.

NAF China Lake AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132521, Lazy Dog dispenser, China Lake, 13 April 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145310 with 22 500 lb. bombs on MER's, circa April 1961. Photo from Ray Powell.

F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145310 in-flight with 22 500 lb. bombs on MER's, circa April 1961. Photo from Ray Powell.

NAF China Lake F3D-2 Skyknight BuNo 125807, China Lake, May 1961. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Walleye I, China Lake, 17 May 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Naval Air Facility sign, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

NAF China Lake F9F-6K2 Cougar drone BuNo 127341, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

NAF China Lake F9F-6K2 Cougar drones BuNo 127341, 131045, 130950, 130954 & 4 others, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

NAF China Lake F9F-6K Cougar drone line, BuNo 128273 in left foreground, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

Armed Forces Day crowd watching the flyover with NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818 at bottom of photo, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 Vampires F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, XE-14, A4D-2N Skyhawk 145068, XE-4, FJ-4B Fury 141478, A4D-2N Skyhawk 145064, XE-1, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 Vampires F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, XE-14, A4D-2N Skyhawk 145068, XE-4, FJ-4B Fury 141478, A4D-2N Skyhawk 145064, XE-1, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 Vampires F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, XE-14, piloted by Capt. Van Meter in-flight China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VX-5 Vampires F4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 143390, XE-14, A4D-2N Skyhawk 145068, XE-4, FJ-4B Fury 141478, A4D-2N Skyhawk 145064, XE-1, in formation, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

NAF China Lake F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 146425, hangar 3, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

VAH-123 Professionals A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 147654, NJ-4, and VX-5 Vampires FJ-4B Fury BuNo 139549, XE-11, hangar 3, China Lake, 20 May 1961. Photo by Larry Ruybal.

B-29A Superfortress fuselage after Mk-23 warhead 10 foot standoff test, Area R, China Lake, circa June 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29A Superfortress fuselage after Mk-23 warhead 10 foot standoff test, Area R, China Lake, circa June 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VA-113 Stingers A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 147759, China Lake, 01 Jun 1961. 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. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VA-112 Bombing Broncos, A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142832, NH-201, China Lake, 09 Jun 1961. 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. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires Det A Sanford A3J-1 Vigilante BuNo 147856 at Forrest Sherman Field, NAS Pensacola for the Navy's Golden Anniversary Air Show, 10 June 1961. G. B. Burcham, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NAF China Lake HSS-1N Sea Horse BuNo 145672, COSO Range, China Lake, circa June 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

This NOTS developed Range "harp" is used on Charlie Range to accurately record the position of aircraft during the delivery of bombs on ground targets and is used in operational training of fleet squadrons in high altitude bombing, China Lake, circa 1961.

VX-5 Vampires F4H-1F Phantom II BuNo 143390, XE-17, in-flight, circa July 1961, Photo from Ray Powell.

NAF China Lake AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132521, CALEB upload, China Lake, 19 Jun 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake FJ-4B Fury BuNo 143605, ARM Pod, China Lake, 22 Jun 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake 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.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Gladeye dispenser, China Lake, 10 Jul. 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

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

The NOTS-EV-2 rocket used in the SIP (Satellite Interceptor Program) project, a follow-on to China Lake's "NOTSNIK" air-launched satellite and Caleb space-probe projects, was an attempt to develop an air-launched ASAT (anti-satellite) missile. Two NOTS-EV-2 vehicles were ground-launched in SIP-related tests in October 1961 and May 1962, respectively. SIP was a prototype air-launched satellite-killer system using primarily in-house technology and hardware. China Lake, August 1961.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, MER with retarded fin Snakeyes, China Lake, 10 Aug. 1961. NAF line shack in the background. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, MER with retarded fin Snakeyes, China Lake, 10 Aug. 1961. Hangar 1 and control tower at left. 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 Vampires project pilots hold a planning meeting, China Lake, August 1961. Naval Aviation News photo.

VX-5 Vampires Lt. G.E. LeBlanc reports to VX-5 CO Capt VanMeter next to A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137829, China Lake, August 1961. Naval Aviation News photo.

VX-5 Vampires USMC Capt H.W. Vincent and LCdr H.H. Robcke check rack design, China Lake, August 1961. Naval Aviation News photo.

NAF China Lake 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.

A Netherlands Navy P2V-7B Neptune (probably #201) is loaded with 5" HVAR's, China Lake, 29 Aug 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF C-124A Globemaster 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.

NAF China Lake F9F-6K Cougar 'Redbird' BuNo 127390, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake FJ-3D2 Fury drone controller BuNo 135788 in-flight. 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.

NAF China Lake FJ-3D2 Fury drone controller 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.

MK-81 retarded fin Snakeye, China Lake, September 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk, BuNo 137814, Cyclops camera pod, China Lake, 01 Sep 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F9F-8T Cougar BuNo 146425, APQ-89 radar, China Lake, 14 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.

VAH-9 Hoot Owls A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142650 Cyclops cloud seeding project, 01 September 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VAH-9 Hoot Owls A3D-2 Skywarrior BuNo 142650 Cyclops II silver iodide-generating rocket motors, 01 September 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-44 aerial torpedos, China Lake, 02 Sep1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Sidewinder 1-C continuous rod warhead unexpanded view, China Lake, 12 September 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132612, Sadeye, China Lake, 12 Sep 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake AD-5N Skyraider BuNo 132612, ZUNI launcher, China Lake, circa 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF C-133B Cargo Master s/n 59-0536, SIP upload, Tabstone launcher, China Lake, 21 Sep 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A portion of Replacement Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 51 HSS-2 and HSS-1N Sea Kings, south side of hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 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 September 1961. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Walleye, hangar 3, China Lake, 22 Sep 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

RAPEC ejection seat test, 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.

NAF China Lake F8U-1E Crusader BuNo 145443 and Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 01 Oct 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake P2V-4 Neptune BuNo 124238 with A3D Skywarrior nose, China Lake, 01 Oct 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A4D-2N Skyhawk BuNo 145068, XE-4, Dirty Duster, Los Angeles, 03 Oct 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Dirty Duster, 03 Oct 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Naval Missile Center Guided Missile Unit 7 TF4H-1 Phantom II BuNo 145317 & NAF China Lake F4H-1F BuNo 145310, CALEB, China Lake, 05 October 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A4D Skyhawks at left and VAW-11 Det. F WF Tracers at right (NK-772 in the foreground) aboard the USS Oriskany, October 1961. Photo by Tom Scott.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Rockeye I cluster bombs on a MER, China Lake, 03 Nov 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Rockeye I cluster bombs on MERs, China Lake, 03 Nov 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-116 Weteye chemical bomb, on the ramp next to NAF A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137814, China Lake, 07 Nov 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Mk-116 Weteye chemical bomb, 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.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137822, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 17 Nov 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137822, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 17 Nov 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F9F-6KD Cougar drone BuNo 130944, China Lake, 18 November 1961. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

NAF China Lake F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 144430 with Delmar tow rig, Hot Line, Armitage Field, China Lake, 18 November 1961. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

NAF China Lake P2V-5FD Neptune BuNo 128348, BQM-34 drones, (KD-4755 on the port wing), NAF China Lake, November 1961. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

NAF China Lake T-28BD Trojan BuNo 138296 with 50 cal. gun pods, China Lake, 18 November 1961. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association.

NAF China Lake XR4D-8 Skytrain BuNo 138820, China Lake, 18 November 1961. Photo by Clay Jansson, Tailhook Assoc. collection.

VAH-8 Fireballers A3D-2 Skywarrior NE-604, China Lake, December 1961, Official U.S. Navy photo. Back row: Cdr. Cockrill, LCdr. Woodard, LCdr. Sandberg, Lt. Shermab, Lt. Williams, Lt(jg). Nickerson, Lt(jg). Siegwarth and Lt(jg). Brown. Middle: Lt(jg). Gloeckner, Lt(jg). Koeneman, Lt(jg). Peters, Lt(jg). English, Lt(jg). Powell, Ens. Bouchard, Ens. Flynn, Lt(jg). Johnson and Lt(jg). Se____. Front row: AD2 Burrows, ADC Boltz, AE1 Marshall, ATC Robinson, AT2 Buck, ADC Hornung, AQC Sutherland and AM2 Ewart.

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.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Mk-116 Weteye chemical bombs, China Lake, 05 Dec 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142892, Snakeyes, China Lake, 12 Dec 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires SNB-5 Bugsmasher BuNo 39936, XE-20, at Oakland, CA, circa 1961. Photo from William Swisher Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NAF China Lake A4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Gladeye dispenser, China Lake, 21 December 1961. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake 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.

NAF China Lake 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.

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-thrust, 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.

Unidentified VX-5 Vampires pilot signing out for a flight with PO1 Bill Laux at Line Flight Operations, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1961. Photo from Bill Laux.