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<-- 1972 1973 Photo Gallery. Last updated 14 August, 2010 1974 -->
• Jan 1 -- NAF has 25 aviation officers, 5 other officers, 557 enlisted and 45 aircraft consisting of 1 NA-4E, 3 A-4E, 1 A-4F, 3 TA-4J, 1 NA-6A, 3 A-6A, 1 A-7A, 1 A-7C, 2 A-7E,  2 F-4J, 6 F-86H, 1 F-4B, 2 HH-1K, 1 OV-10A, 2 YOV-10D, 1 C-131F, 1 C-117D, 1 T-39D, 3 U-3A, 4 QT-33A, 1 T-33B, 7 QF-9J & 1 NTF-9J. VX-5 has 31 aviation officers, 4 other officers, 210 enlisted and 14 aircraft consisting of 1 TA-4J, 2 A-4F, 1 A-7B, 3 A-7C, 3 A-7E, 2 US-2A, 1 AH-1J & 1 A-4M. The VX-5 Oceana Det. has 2 A-6A, 1 A-6C & 1 A-6E. The Aero Club has 1 T-34B, 2 AA1 & 1 C172.
• 10 April -- NAF pilots set a record of 21,000 flight hours without a chargeable accident since December of 1970. This was the highest number of accident-free flight hours since NAF was established.
• July 1 -- NAF has 25 aviation officers, 6 other officers, 560 enlisted and 49 aircraft consisting of 1 NA-4E, 3 A-4E, 1 A-4F, 3 TA-4J, 1 NA-6A, 3 A-6A, 1 A-7A, 1 A-7C, 1 A-7E,  2 F-4J, 6 F-86H, 2 F-4B, 2 HH-1K, 1 OV-10A, 1 YOV-10D, 1 C-131F, 1 C-117D, 1 T-39D, 3 U-3A, 8 QT-33A, 1 T-33B & 5 QF-9J. VX-5 has 30 aviation officers, 5 other officers, 185 enlisted and 15 aircraft consisting of 1 TA-4J, 2 A-4F, 1 A-7B, 5 A-7C, 2 A-7E, 2 US-2A, 1 AH-1J & 1 A-4M. The VX-5 Oceana Det. has 2 A-6A & 1 A-6E. The Aero Club has 1 T-34B, 2 AA1 & 1 American Traveler.

Twenty years after his aviator father (VX-5 CO Capt. E. M. Crow) climbed into his F4U Corsair (l), Midshipman Michael Crow boards VX-5 TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12. China Lake, 05 January 1973. Rocketeer photo.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, GP 5.0" FFAR, hot line, China Lake, 01 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, GP 5.0" FFAR, hot line, China Lake, 01 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, GP 5.0" FFAR, hot line, China Lake, 01 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4F Skyhawk, BuNo 154172, with GP 5.0 FFAR & looks like a Tiara warhead, pilot may be Kip Banta, China Lake, 01 Feb. 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 156766, XE-01, Walleye II, ER-6, ERDL, China Lake, 01 Feb 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II BuNo 156766, XE-01, Walleye II, ER-6, ERDL, 01 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II BuNo 156766, XE-01, Walleye II, ER-6, ERDL, 01 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-86H Sabre s/n 52-1996 catches fire after being struck with 20mm's at the WSL, China Lake, 07 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-86H Sabre s/n 52-1996, after live fire test, China Lake, 07 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-86H Sabre s/n 52-1996, after self destruct test, China Lake, 07 February 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AQ2 Kenneth W. Johnson checks out the cockpit of VX-5 A-7E Corsair II BuNo 158667, XE-20, to see if the intensity compensation adjustments have been made on newly installed radar gear. China Lake, 09 Februray 1973. Rocketeer photo by ADJAN Bill Brooks.

VA-145 Intruder BuNo 155714, NE-504, Pave Knife, China Lake, 13 February 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-4B Phantom II BuNo 148393, GPU-2A Gun Pod, hangar #3, China Lake, 14 February 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, hangar #3, China Lake, circa 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, KNOZY, HARM Seeker nose, China Lake, circa 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, KNOZY, HARM Seeker nose, China Lake, circa 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, KNOZY, firing a HARM missile, China Lake, circa 1973.

This is a HARM shoot I did in 1973 as anti-radiation project officer at NWC. I had fired #4 thru eleven of the first that were developed by China Lake engineers. Note & photo from Denny Sapp.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, Walleye II, ER-7, drop, 16 February 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A new slate of officers, headed by LCdr. Jack Jackson, as president, was installed recently by the China Lake Flying Club. Standing in front of one of the club's aircraft, a Cessna 172, are (l-r) LCdr. Jackson, Joel Halop, operations officer, Mike Coleman, maintenance officer, and Blake Elison, vice-president. In the background are two American Trainers owned by the club. China Lake, 16 February 1973. Rocketeer photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937, TRAM pod, LLTV & FLIR sensors are mounted in the optical sensor unit, China Lake, 28 February 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937, NA-14 FLIR pod, China Lake, 28 February 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937, China Lake, 28 February 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II, BuNo unknown, Walleye II ERDL pod, China Lake, 06 March 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II, BuNo unknown, Walleye II ERDL pod, China Lake, 06 March 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Dave Fortune and Alan French load a ZUNI Chaffroc into a LAU10-A launcher in preparation for firing at G-2 range. China Lake, 09 March 1973.

HMM-163 CH-46S, BuNo 156435, YP-10, MICRAD/NIRAD, China Lake, 16 Mar 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NEA-6A Intruder BuNo 149935, NAS Lakehurst, 19 March 1973.

Photo by S. Miller.

Code 35's Dick Wood is testing a fuze antenna on the Shrike guidance system. China Lake, 30 March 1973. Rocketeer photo.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 on runway 21 prior to the 1st QF-86H NOLO flight. Photo from Don Hart collection.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 on runway 21 prior to the 1st QF-86H NOLO flight. Photo from Don Hart collection.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 in formation with the manned F-86H Sabre chase plane on the 1st QF-86H NOLO flight. Official U.S. navy photo.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 30 March 1973 on the occassion of the 1st QF-86H NOLO flight, pilot is LCDR Larry Blose. Photo from Don Hart collection.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613, Bigeye loader, China Lake, 05 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613, Bigeye loader, China Lake, 05 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613, Bigeye loader, China Lake, 05 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

ADJ-2 Robert Burch and ADJ-1 Fred Mansfield work on a jet engine in the power plants shop, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

AMS-1 Larry Peck operates a lathe in the airframes shop, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

AO-3 Charles Souza and AO-3 Rodney Patterson attach a tail fin to a bomb in the weapons shop, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

AZAN Steve Mendenhall fills out the obligatory paperwork in the QC shop, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

AT-2 W.B. Angle checks relays in electronic gear in the Electronics shop, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

ADJ-3 Denny Callaway removes the wing locks on an A-7 Corsair II on the Hot Line as NWC Lt. Eric Vanderpohl looks on, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

ADR-3 D-R Jones and ADJ-1 Charles Malear operate a tow tug, NAF China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

ACAN Jefferey Peterson gives landing instructions to a NAF pilot, China Lake, April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

A-4F Skyhawk pilot Ens. Frank Santoni is greeted by Capt. R.S. Moore, NAF CO, and A-4 plane captain, ADRN Kenneth Bush, China Lake, 10 April 1973. Ens. Santoni's flight in BuNo 154172 was the last increment of a 21,000 hour accident free safety record that began in Dec. 1970. Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

Ens. Frank Santoni wields a saber to cut the celebratory cake as Capt. R.S. Moore, NAF CO, and Lt. T.D. Ware look on, 10 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo via Charles Souza.

P-3A Orion, BuNo unknown, Harpoon RTV, China Lake, 10 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 personnel carry bags of clothing donated by WACOM to VX-5 US-2A Tracker BuNo 136616, XE-22, for transport to San Diego, and then on to the Door of Good Faith Mission in La Mission, Baja, CA. China Lake, 13 April 1973. Rocketeer photo.

HH-1K Huey BuNo 157184, airborne north of hangar 3, China Lake, 13 April 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VAQ-129 EA-6B Prowler BuNo 158040, TR-04, jamming pod, China Lake, 13 April 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

OV-10A Bronco BuNo 152879, Davis gun, China Lake, 17 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

OV-10A Bronco BuNo 152879, Davis gun, China Lake, 17 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 155615, YAGM-53A Condor and data link pod, China Lake, 18 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 155615, YAGM-53A Condor and data link pod, China Lake, 18 April 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

J C Thayer (l) and Robert B. Brown, ordnancemen at Skytop Test Complex's Bay II, prepare to remove a MK38 (AIM-7 Sparrow) rocket motor from a vertical, multi-component test stand. China Lake, 20 April 1973. Rocketeer photo.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, Bulldog missiles, hangar #3, China Lake, 01 May 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

USMC CH-53 Sea-Stallion BuNo 151693 is unloaded from a B-377-SG Super Guppy after transport from the Army Proving Ground in Yuma, AZ. The helo, given to Code 3014 for use in the test installation of advanced systems is 67 ft., 2 in. long, 15 ft. , 7 in. wide, and 18 ft., 6 in. high. China Lake, 04 May 1973. Photographer unknown.

USMC CH-53 Sea-Stallion BuNo 151693 by Mike Lab. after transport from the from the airfield. China Lake, 04 May 1973. Rocketeer photo.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1413, #34, China Lake, May 1973.

#34 was transferred from Point Mugu in late 1972 and although the tail code has been changed to China Lake, VX-4 is still visible above the NAVY designation.

photo by H. R. Muir via C. T. Robbins.

U-3A Blue Canoe s/n 58-2111, alongside hangar #2, China Lake, May 1973.

Photo by H. R. Muir via C. T. Robbins.

C-117D Skytrain BuNo 17156, China Lake, May 1973.

Photo by H. R. Muir via C. T. Robbins.

VX-5 US-2A Tracker BuNo 136616, XE-22, China Lake, May 1972.

Photo by H. R. Muir via C. T. Robbins.

C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028, China Lake, May 1973.

Photographer unknown.

C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028, China Lake, May 1973.

Photo by H. R. Muir via C. T. Robbins.

QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 141203, China Lake, May 1973.

Photographer unknown.

QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 144312, China Lake, circa 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC F-4J Phantom BuNo 153812, on the ramp next to hangar #2, May 1973.

Photographer unknown.

VX-5 AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 157759, XE-10, China Lake, May 1973.

Photo by H. R. Muir via C. T. Robbins.

Former China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, NADC Johnsville, PA, May 1973.

Photo Michel Klaver collection.

C-117D Skytrain BuNo 17156, NAWS, May 1973.

Photo © John Stewart with his permission.

RAdm Henry Suerstedt, Jr., Commander of NWC (left), welcomes VAdm Kent L. Lee, prospective Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command, at the NAF terminal on May 9 1973 as he deplanes from Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (JSTPS) C-131F Samaritan BuNo 140993. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 157759, XE-10, China Lake, 18 May 1973.

Photo by H. R. Muir.

QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 144272, China Lake, May 1973.

Photographer unknown.

QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 144272, China Lake, 19 May 1973.

Photographer unknown.

F-4J Phantom II BuNo 153812, one of the static displays in hangar 3, was a popular place to visit on Armed Forces Day, 19 May 1973. Rocketeer photo.

VX-4 F-14A Tomcat BuNo 158618, XF-30, hangar #3, NAF China Lake, AFD 19 May 1973. Photo © The Will Blunt/Global Air Images collection.

The new McDonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain II was visited by throngs during the Armed Forces Day Open House. The huge, jet transport plane was parked on the apron at NAF. China Lake, 19 May 1973. Rocketeer photo.

HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193, IR, China Lake, hangars #2 and #3 in the background, 30 May 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193, IR, China Lake, line shack in the background, 30 May 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 155615, Condor, China Lake, 07 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 155615, YAGM-53A Condor and data link pod, China Lake, 07 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 155615, YAGM-53A Condor and data link pod, China Lake, 07 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154332, IR pod, China Lake, 08 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154332, IR pod, China Lake, 08 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, SUU-53 cold cloud pod, hangar #3, China Lake, 12 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, SUU-53 cold cloud pod, hangar #3, China Lake, 12 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156734, Mk-81's over the Sierras, 15 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156734, Mk-81's over the Sierras, 15 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156734, Mk-81's over Ridgecrest, 15 June 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

In return for their help in washing two of the China Lake Flying Club's airplanes, five girls from the Burroughs High School Choir were rewarded recently by a flight over Searles Valley. The girls who joined in this special project were Pat Chase, Theresa Orr, Pam Renner, Sherry Sneary and Debbie Strayer. China Lake, 15 June 1973. Rocketeer photo.

AIM-9L Sidewinder missile intercept of a QF-9 Cougar drone, 1 of 4, 27 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9L Sidewinder missile intercept of a QF-9 Cougar drone, 2 of 4, 27 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9L Sidewinder missile intercept of a QF-9 Cougar drone, 3 of 4, 27 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9L Sidewinder missile intercept of a QF-9 Cougar drone, 4 of 4, 27 June 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile ready for a vertical launch, China Lake, 01 July 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848 HARM nose, China Lake, circa July 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF Maintenance.. Aircraft almost needs washing gripe... almost washed aircraft corrective action, China Lake, 27 July 1973. Photographer unknown.

A-6A Corsair II BuNo 152656, firing a HARM missile, 02 August 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, HARM missile, China Lake, 31 August 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF QF-86H Sabre s/n 52-5744 at left and QF-9J Cougar BuNo 144366 at right, hangar 2, China Lake, circa September 1973. Photographer unknown.

USAF T-38A Talon s/n 59-1595, China Lake, 04 September 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

LT Jack Macidull in HH-1K Huey BuNo 157194 recovering a BQM drone, China Lake, circa 1973.

Photo from Denny Sapp.

HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193, MAD FAE takeoff, China Lake, 26 September 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154179, XE-14, NAS Fallon, September 1973.

R.E. Kling photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149936, loading a AGM-53 Condor, China Lake, 02 Oct. 1973. L-r AO1 F. Jenkins, AOAN C. Hall, AO2 C. Souza, AO2 L. Phillips.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Charlie Souza.

　

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149936, AGM-53A Condor, China Lake, 02 Oct. 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Charlie Souza.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, weather modification jet seeder pod, China Lake, 04 October 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, weather modification jet seeder pod, China Lake, 04 October 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, weather modification jet seeder pod, China Lake, 04 October 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149936, weather mod. jet seeder pod close-up, China Lake, 04 October 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 after it was brought down on 11 October 1973. Photographer unknown.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 after it was brought down on 11 October 1973. Photographer unknown.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 after it was brought down on 11 October 1973. Photographer unknown.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 after it was brought down on 11 October 1973. Photographer unknown.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1294 after it was brought down on 11 October 1973. Photographer unknown.

CAPT. R.S. Moore, NAF CO, was at the flight line to congratulate Lt. C. A. Fitzgerald III after he flew the 25,000th accident free flight hour at NAF. Plane captain ADR3 C. L. Smith, was also on hand to offer his congratulations. China Lake, 19 October 1973. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Jerry Sizemore.

LT. T.D. Warre, NAF Flight Safety Officer (r), presented a plaque to Lt. C. A. Fitzgerald III, to commemorate the history-making flight at NAF. Lt. Fitzgerald also got the pleasant duty of painting the thermometer line to the 25,000 hour mark. China Lake, 19 October 1973. Rocketeer photo.

DT-38A Talon, BuNo 59-1604, China Lake, Nov. '73.

Photo White via S. Van Aken.

U.S. Army F-51D Mustang s/n 68-15795, 106mm recoilless rifle, K-2, China Lake, 06 November 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Army F-51D Mustang s/n 68-15795, 106mm recoilless rifle, K-2, China Lake, 06 November 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

The China Lake Flying Club has recently updated the number and age of the clubs aircraft. Kelly McDonough, right, invites prospective flyers to experience the fun of flying. Two two-place Cessna 150s, like the one piloted at top left by Rocketeer photographer Dan Yeatts, two four-place Cessna 177 Cardinals, and one T-34 are now available. The interior of the Cessna 150 instrument trainer is shown at bottom left. China Lake, 16 November 1973. Rocketeer photo.

A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156739, HARM Baseline I, hangar #3, China Lake, 19 November 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-14A Tomcat, BuNo unknown, Agile missile close-up, China Lake, 06 December 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

SNORT AV-8A Harrier SIIIS-3 ejection seat system tested under 250 knots in a nose down attitude, China Lake, 10 December 1973.

Naval Aviation News photo.

SNORT AV-8A Harrier SIIIS-3 ejection seat system ejects a dummy during 435 knot tests, China Lake, 10 December 1973. Official U.S. Navy photo.

YOV-10D Bronco BuNo 155395, turreted FLIR sensor and turreted M-197 20-mm, 12 December 1973.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Mike Lab. in the foreground with Armitage Field in the background, Admin at right, circa 1973.

Photographer unknown.

NOTS Technical Research Library, circa 1973.

Photographer unknown.