Home Index Site Search E-Mail Yellowsheet

<-- 1962 1963 Aircraft Photo Gallery. Last updated 26 April, 2008 1964 -->
• Jan 1 -- NAF has 43 aviation officers (6 SCI), 1 other officer, 592 enlisted (35 SCI) and 60 aircraft consisting of 2 A-1G, 3 YA-4A, 1 A-4A, 1 YA-4B, 1 A-4B, 1 YA-4C, 1 A-4C, 1 A-4E, 3 TF-10B, 2 F-4A, 3 YF-8A, 2 F-8A, 1 YF-8D, 1 F-8D, 1 F-8E, 1 YTF-9J, 1 SP-2E, 1 S-2A, 1 DP-2E, 1 S-2D, 2 SH-34G, 1 CH-19E, 4 DF-1D, 2 DT-28B, 1 C-117D, 1 C-54T & 20 QF-9G drones. VX-5 has 32 aviation officers, 1 other officers, 191 enlisted and 20 aircraft consisting of 1 A-4A, 4 A-4B, 7 A-4C, 3 A-4E, 1 A-1E, 2 A-1H, 1 T-33B & 1 TC-45J. GCA-57 has 3 officers & 19 enlisted.
• Jan 29 -- A Walleye television glide bomb, released from YA-4B BuNo 142085 piloted by CDR Sickel, made a direct impact on its target in the 1st demonstration of its automatic homing feature.
• Balloon carries NOTS astronomer to 82,000 feet altitude in Stargazer gondola.
• June 07 -- President John F. Kennedy, first President to visit Station, sees Naval aerial weaponry demonstration.
• Gemini space capsule undergoes seat ejection tests.
• HIPEG-"fastest gun"-firing 12,000 rounds per minute, in final checkout.
• Marines leave after 18 years of sentry and range guard duty.
• July 1 -- NAF has 37 aviation officers (1 SCI), 1 other officer, 561 enlisted (16 SCI) and 60 aircraft consisting of 2 A-1G, 2 NA-4A, 1 A-4A, 1 NA-4B, 3 A-4B, 1 NA-4C, 3 A-4C, 1 A-4E, 3 TF-10B, 1 F-4B, 1 F-4A, 4 DF-8A, 3 NF-8A, 1 NF-8D, 1 F-8D, 1 F-8E, 1 NTF-9J, 1 SP-2E, 1 S-2D, 1 SH-34G, 1 SH-34J, 1 CH-19E, 1 O-1A, 3 DF-1D, 2 DT-28B, 15 QF-9G, 2 C-117D, 1 S-2A & 1 TC-45J. VX-5 has 33 aviation officers, 1 other officers, 195 enlisted and 20 aircraft consisting of 1 A-1E, 2 A-1H, 2 A-4B, 7 A-4C, 4 A-4E, 1 F-4B, 1 O-1C, 1 T-33B & 1 TC-45J. GCA-57 has 3 officers & 16 enlisted.
• July 8 to July 12, Project Rainhat, Tambini & Sickel take the Shrike to Cuba.
• PROJECT "STORMFURY" NOTS-developed silver iodide generators show effect on storm clouds and Hurricane Beulah.
• Ozonesonde in record balloon ascent, 142,000 feet.
• SHRIKE air-to-surface anti-radar missile in final development stages.

CH-19E BuNo 141029, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1963. Aerocommander N6197X at right. SNB 51296 nose at left, China Lake, circa 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

C-56 Lodestar, N243AG, China Lake, circa 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAS North Island TC-45J Bugsmasher BuNo 51296, China Lake, circa 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148565, XE-8, circa 1963.

Photo from Ray Powell.

VX-5 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148565, XE-8, and A-1H Skyraider BuNo 139731, XE-14, circa 1963.

Photo from Ray Powell.

VX-5 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148565, XE-8, and A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149658, XE-23, circa 1963.

Photo from Ray Powell.

F-8E Crusader BuNo 149159, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 04 Jan 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YA-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063, Rockeye I, China Lake, 16 Jan 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YA-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063, Cameras on #1 and #5 and ZUNI Aero 6D launchers on #2 & #4, China Lake, 01 Jan 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YA-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063, Cameras on #1 & #5 and ZUNI Aero 6D launchers on #2 & #4, Lt. Tambini, China Lake, 17 Jan 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 23 Jan 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 06 Feb 1963.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137813, project DIRTY exhaust shield, China Lake, circa 1963.

W. Mutza photo collection.

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137818, Gladeye, China Lake, 11 Feb 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YF-8A Crusader BuNo 145443, Sidewinder 1A missile, China Lake, 11 Feb 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284 with Sidewinder 1C SAR & Sidewinder 1C IR missiles, China Lake, 26 Feb 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, SHRIKE, China Lake, 05 March 1963.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, SHRIKE, China Lake, 05 March 1963.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 124595, APN-149 radar, China Lake, 08 March 1963.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, Shrike missiles, CDR Jack A. Sickel, China Lake, 13 March 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo from J.A. Sickel, jr.

TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 127074, APQ-89 radar nose, China Lake, 21 March 1963.

Official U.S. Navy Photo.

Q2C Ryan Firebee drone, l-r: PO-3 Jerry Eckholdt, Master Chief Clarence Darrah & AMS-3 Tom Herold, ca. 1963.

Photo from Tom Herold.

Ryan Q2C Firebee drone is eased onto platform, China Lake, April 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Ryan Q2C Firebee drone is ready for launch, China Lake, April 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Ryan Q2C Firebee drone launches at a very sharp rate of ascent, China Lake, April 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

NMC C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141024, DIRTY, China Lake, 05 April 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

DT-28B Trojan BuNo 138296 after a dead stick landing by LT Callahan on Mirror Lake that collapsed the nose gear, 09 April 1963.

Photo from Paul Dros.

SAR CH-19E BuNo 141029, Mirror Lake, China Lake, 09 April 1963.

Photo from Paul Dros.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, SHRIKE missile, China Lake, 10 Apr 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, Shrike missile, China Lake, 11 April 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, Shrike missile, China Lake, 11 April 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

CBU-75 Sadeye, China Lake, 15 April 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NA-1G Skyraider BuNo 132598, Salty TV camera, China Lake, 17 April 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

MK-115 Helicopter Trap Weapon, China Lake, May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

MK-115 Helicopter Trap Weapon, China Lake, May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147781, light attack pod (aka LANABS), China Lake, 01 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147781, light attack pod (aka LANABS), China Lake, 01 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147781, light attack pod (aka LANABS) & loader, China Lake, 01 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

DF-1D Fury drone controller line, l-r BuNo 136076, 135788, 136064 & 135894, China Lake, 01 May 1963

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4 Skyhawk line, l-r A-4A BuNo 137822, A-4B 142085, A-4A 137814 and NA-4C 145063, China Lake, 01 May 1963

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 145041, XE-5, over Inyokern Airfield with MBER's & MK-82's on wing racks, 08 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Walleye GF-3, China Lake, 09 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Walleye, China Lake, 09 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NA-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063 and A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137822 & l-r Snakeye, Sadeye, Rockeye, Padeye & Gladeye, China Lake, 17 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-1H Skyraider BuNo 139731, XE-14, HVAR BDU-8, China Lake, 17 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Walleye test, China Lake, 22 May 1963.

Photo from Thomas Tye.

Mk-116 WETEYE Chemical bomb, NAF China Lake, 28 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo, R. Summers collection.

RIM-72 Chaparral Sidewinder launcher, China Lake, 28 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Air Force One, s/n 62-6000, China Lake, 29 May 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137813, DIRTY, shielded exhaust, China Lake, 01 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137813, DIRTY, shielded exhaust, China Lake, 01 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NMC A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137828, DIRTY dispenser, 01 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NMC A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137828, DIRTY dispensing, 01 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-104D Starfighter s/n 57-1315, DIRTY, shielded exhaust, China Lake, 01 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AGM-45 Shrike air-to-surface missile developed by the Bureau of Naval Weapons & NOTS with production engineering provided by TI Inc., 07 Jun 1963

Photo from R. Summers collection

China Lake JFK Ordnance Demonstration, NOTS Project 1-63, the Number One project for the U.S. Navy in 1963

VC-137C Air Force One s/n 62-6000 & JFK arrive at China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Yours truly & friends moving the portable ramp to the open door of Air Force One, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK de-planing Air Force One via the aft doorof VC-137C s/n 62-6000, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK leaving Air Force One VC-137C, s/n 62-6000, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VC-137C Air Force One s/n 62-6000, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Among the ground crew are G. Verver, P. Coleman, M. Steuerman & R. Summers.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VC-137C Air Force One s/n 62-6000, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK & entourage south of hangar #1, VR-1 VC-118B BuNo 128425, tail code JK, and Alameda C-117 in the background, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

The Presidential flag is raised over NOTS Headquarters, 07 June 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

JFK greeting some boy scouts at the Admin building, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK crowd on hand to greet the President, Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK greeting the crowd of well wishers, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

Some of the kids on hand to greet JFK with their Welcome Mr. President sign, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK limo passes the display of weapons developed at NOTS China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

The Presidential limousine & JFK, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK and security detail, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK arrives at the weapins demonstration viewing area, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Dignitaries in the reviewing stand for the ordnance demo, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK, NAF CO CAPT Jack Hough on the far right. China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Photo from the G. Verver collection.

HS-10 Warhawks SH-3 Sea Kings So. side of hangar 3, JFK China Lake visit, 07 June 1963.

Photo from the G. Verver collection.

VA-164 Ghost Riders, VX-4 Evaluators & the VA-163 Saints at China Lake, JFK visit, ramp area NE end of runway 32, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK and entourage arrive at the Presidential viewing area, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK arrives at the Presidential box at the Presidential viewing area, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK seated at the Presidential box at the Presidential viewing area, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #3, VA-164 A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 142724, AH-412, Mk-81 bombs, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #3, VA-164 A-4B Skyhawks AH-401, AH-417, AH-403 & AH-407 MK-81 bomb release, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Mushroom cloud erupts after bomb drop, 07 June 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Event #5, VA-165 A-1H Skyraider firing high velocity aircraft rockets (HVAR), China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #5, VA-165 A-1H Skyraider firing high velocity aircraft rockets (HVAR), China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #8, VA-163 A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #8, VA-163 A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #8, VA-163 A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #8, VA-163 A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

The press watches from a safe distance as Naval aviation firepower turns the dessert into a fiery inferno, 07 June 1963.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Event #10, DT-28B Trojan BuNo 138355 50 cal guns as it would have looked on 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #12, A-4A Skyhawk, BuNo 137818, three Mk-4 HIPEG 20mm gun pods, pilot was Dave Callahan, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #15, A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 144925, Sadeye cluster bombs, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #15, A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 144925, Sadeye cluster bomb, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #16, A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137813, Gladeye Lazy Dogs, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #16, A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137813, Gladeye Lazy Dogs, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #18a, F-8D Crusader BuNo 147047, in flight with Sidewinder missiles, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137822 & DF-1D Fury drone controller BuNo 133788 (Event #18b), NAF China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #18c was a QF-9 Cougar drone AIM-9 Sidewinder hit similar to the one shown, #1 of 3.

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

Event #18c was a QF-9 Cougar drone AIM-9 Sidewinder hit similar to the one shown, #2 of 3.

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

Event #18c was a QF-9 Cougar drone AIM-9 Sidewinder hit similar to the one shown, #3 of 3.

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

Event #19, VX-5 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145127, XE-9, Snakeye, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #20, VX-5 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149658, XE-00, Rockeye I cluster bomb, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #20, VX-5 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149657, XE-22, and BuNo 149658, XE-00, Rockeye I cluster bomb, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #22, A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, Shrike missiles, June 1963. Pilot is Jones.

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

Event #22, A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, LT Tony Tambini & SHRIKE missile, 07 June 1963.

Photo from Tony Tambini.

Event #23 VMFA-314 F-4B Phantom II BuNo 150458, VW-19, and VX-5 F-4B BuNo 150440, each with a load of 24 Mk-82's, Hot Line, China Lake, circa 1963.

Pilots are Hal Vincent & Paul McCarthy. Photo from Paul Dros.

JFK confers over his shoulder with RADM Masterton and ADM Sides.

Naval Aviation News photo.

Event #27, NPF El Centro TF-9J Cougar BuNo's 142448 & 142440 RAPEC ejection seat demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #27, NPF El Centro TF-9J Cougar BuNo 142448 RAPEC ejection seat demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #29b, VX-5 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145064, XE-1, ramp area NE end of runway 32, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Photo from the G. Verver collection.

JFK reviewing the Drone Division following the demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

DF-1D Fury BuNo 136064 (Event #16) & DT-28B Trojan BuNo 138355 (Event #10). Pilot at far right appears to be Ron Sikes (DT-28B).

Official U.S. Navy photo.

JFK thanks the Bluejackets & pilots following the demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963.

VA-164 Skyhawk AH-407 (Event #3) & DF-1D Fury BuNo 136064 (Event #16).

Naval Aviation News photo.