Site Search Yellowsheet mailto:gverver

<-- 1978 1979 Photo Gallery. Last updated 20 November, 2009 1980 -->
• NWC acquired the National Parachute Test Range function.
• The technical evaluation of the Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) proved accurate and reliable. The ARBS eye could be seen mounted in the nose of the A-4M Skyhawk and also is compatible with the AV-8B Harrier.
• Apr 1 -- NAVWPNCEN has 28 aviation officers, 25 other officers, 426 enlisted and 54 aircraft consisting of 1 A-4E, 1 NA-4F, 1 A-4F, 3 TA-4J, 1 NA-6A, 1 A-6E, 2 A-7C, 1 NA-7C, 4 A-7E, 2 TA-7C, 2 UH-1N, 1 T-39D, 1 OV-10A, 2 C-131F, 2 U-9D, 6 QF-86H, 15 QF-86F & 8 QT-38A. VX-5 has 19 aviation officers, 18 other officers, 285 enlisted and 18 aircraft consisting of 2 TA-7C, 6 A-7E, 4 A-6E, 1 TA-4J, 1 C-1A, 3 A-4M &1 AH-1T. The Aero Club has 2 C-150, 1 C-177RG, 2 C-172 & 2 T-34.
• Apr. 05 -- U.S. Army CWO Donald Monk and U.S. Army CWO Michael Mooring lost their lives when their OV-1D (69-17000) crashed while operating out of NWC China Lake.
• Aug. 13 -- U.S. Navy LCdr. "Ted" Faller lost his life on when his QF-86F Sabre (55-5073) suffered an engine failure moments after takeoff and came down in a vacant lot 600 yards south of the Ridgecrest Heights Elementary School.
• Oct 1 -- NAVWPNCEN has 26 aviation officers, 20 other officers, 512 enlisted and 54 aircraft consisting of 1 A-4M, 1 A-4F, 1 NA-4F, 3 TA-4J, 1 NA-6A, 1 A-6E, 2 A-7C, 1 NA-7C, 3 A-7E, 1 TA-7C, 2 UH-1N, 1 T-39D, 1 OV-10A, 2 C-131F, 2 U-9D, 1 YF-4J, 6 QF-86H, 14 QF-86F, 6 QT-38A, 1 A-3B, 1 C-117D & 2 T-38A. VX-5 has 22 aviation officers, 15 other officers, 288 enlisted and 22 aircraft consisting of 2 TA-7C, 6 A-7E, 6 A-6E, 2 TA-4J, 1 C-1A, 3 A-4M, 1 AH-1J & 1 AH-1T. The Aero Club has 2 C-150, 1 C-177RG, 2 C-172, 2 T-34, 1 C-182, 1 AA-1B & 1 AA-5
• Nov. 21 -- U.S. Navy LCdr. "Pete" Luem and U.S. Navy Ens. Steven D. Herning lost their lives when their VX-5 TA-7C Corsair II (156748) XE-08 crashed while simulating close air support for troops in field training at Ft. Irwin.

The XA-5˝, NWC's answer to the NAF's B1-RD, in flight over Armitage Field, ca. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler.

QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3865, PMTC-32, Point Mugu, 1979.

Photo by B. Niedermeier via C. T. Robbins.

QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3935, #02, at Point Mugu, 1979.

Photo by Phil Juvet.

C-1A Trader BuNo 136872, VX-5 XE-00, China Lake, January 1979.

Photo ©Scott VanAken.

TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153677, NAS Jacksonville, January 1979.

Photo by R.E. Kling.

OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155496, January 1979.

Photographer unknown.

VX-5 A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159485, XE-13, January 1979.

Unknown photographer.

A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 156857, dropping Mk 82 bombs on Coso Range, China Lake 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo, China Lake Archives.

FLIR equipped A-7E Corsair II's, BuNo's 160566 & 156883, dropping unretarded Snakeyes over the China Lake range, 01 Jan. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 52-2094, location unknown, 1979.

Lt. Rosemary Conatser painted below the canopy.

Photo by B. Niedermeier.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 52-2094 close-up, China Lake, February 1979.

Lt. Rosemary Conatser painted below the canopy.

Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

NA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152101, China Lake, March 1979.

Photo by Paul Minert via the Tailhook Association.

XF4D-1 Skyray BuNo 124587 on display at Armitage Field, China Lake, 11 April 1979.

Photo from R. Dowers.

F11F-1F Tiger BuNo 138647 on display at Armitage Field, China Lake, 11 April 1979.

Photo from R. Dowers.

U.S. Army OV-1C Mohawk s/n 69-16999, China Lake, 11 April 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Army OV-1C Mohawk s/n 69-16999, China Lake, 11 April 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 AH-1T Sea Cobra, BuNo159227, improved Sea Cobra IR jammer on top and exhaust heat deflectors, China Lake, 01 May 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, China Lake, May 1979.

Photo, G. Verver collection.

QF-86F Sabre s/n 55-5017 in front of a B-52G, NAS Lemoore, May 1979.

Lt. Rosemary Conatser and a flower motif painted below the canopy. Official U.S. Navy photo, Duncan Curtis collection.

former China Lake TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 125807, U.S. Army, June 1979.

G. Verver collection.

PMTC ET-3B Skywarrior BuNo 144867, #77, F-14 Tomcat nose, 11 June 1979.

Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

NPTF TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 156896, Probably El Centro, June 1979.

Photographer unknown,

VX-5 A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158426, XE-14, over Fallon Bravo 20 range, 12 June 1979.

Photo by R. Lawson.

VX-5 A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158426, XE-14, over Fallon Bravo 20 range, 12 June 1979.

Photo by R. Lawson.

VX-5 A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158426, XE-14, over Fallon Bravo 20 range, 12 June 1979.

Photo by R. Lawson.

A-6E Intruder BuNo 159569, Snakeyes, China Lake, 1979.

Photographer unknown.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", undergoing restoration, China Lake, circa June 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", undergoing restoration, China Lake, circa June 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", undergoing restoration, China Lake, circa June 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", undergoing restoration, China Lake, circa June 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29A Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", China Lake, 22 June 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Unknown B-29A Superfortress probably being scavenged for parts for "It's Hawg Wild", China Lake, 01 July 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264, #2,960 and the last Skyhawk delivered to the Navy and Marines by Douglas, China Lake, 13 July 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264, #2,960, China Lake ramp, 13 July 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156785, Tinker AFB, 04 August 1979

Photo by Joe Cupido

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, HARM missile seeker nose, China Lake, 15 August 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, HARM missile seeker nose close-up, China Lake, 15 August 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Sidewinder warhead exploding on F-89 Scorpion target, Area R, China Lake, 15 August 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, HARM missile seeker nose, hangar #3, China Lake, 15 August 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, HARM missile seeker nose cockpit, China Lake, 15 August 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, HARM missile seeker nose cockpit, China Lake, 15 August 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29A Superfortress s/n 44-61748 being moved from area R, China Lake, 30 Aug 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 TA-7C Corsair II BuNo154458, XE-07, September 1979.

Photo by K. W. Minert via C. T. Robbins.

VX-5 TA-7C Corsair II BuNo154458, XE-07, about Sep. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

Bill Munday & AOAN Ray Noriega loading MK 76 practice bombs on VX-5 TA-7C BuNo 154458, XE-08, circa September 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo from Bill Munday. Note /4.

VX-5 TA-7C Corsair II BuNo154458, XE-07, snow capped Sierras, ca. Sep. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160722, XE-5, September 1979.

Photo by Joe Cupido.

VX-5 A-6E Intruder, BuNo unknown, Mk 82 Snakeyes, China Lake, about 1979.

Official Navy photo by PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 AV-8 Harrier BuNo 158977, and VX-5 A-6E Intruder BuNo 156997, XE-23, China Lake Hotline, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

Lt. Rosemary Conatser and VX-5 flightline, Fallon, NV, ca. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Retd... Note /1.

VX-5 TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, about 1979.

Official U.S. Navy Photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 A-6A Intruder BuNo 156997, XE-23, & PHC R. Ziesler using a gun mike while making a movie, China Lake, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 A-7E Corsair II BuNo 159300, XE-01, Walleye II, hangar 1, China Lake, ca. 1979.

Unknown A-4M Skyhawk & AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 159227 in the background. Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 AH-1T Sea Cobra BuNo159228, Sidewinder missiles, China Lake, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 A-6E Intruder BuNo 162190, XE-21, China Lake, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 A-6E Intruder BuNo 162190, XE-21, China Lake, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

Unknown A-6 Intruder,#803, China Lake, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 A-6E Intruder BuNo 161084, XE-22, and A-6E Intruder, BuNo 155719, NG-503, about 1979.

Official Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Ret.

VX-5 formation, 01 October 1979.

A-6E Intruder BuNo 161084, XE-22, A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 159300, XE-01, A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 160616, XE-04, & A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158426, XE-14.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473, China Lake, October 1979.

Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

YF-4J Phantom BuNo 152473 used for ejection seat tests, NAS Miramar, 06 October 1979.

Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

U-9D Aerocommander s/n 57-6184, NAS Lemoore, 11 October 1979.

Photo by Steve Williams.

PMTC QF-4B Phantom drone BuNo 149434, 14 October 1979, Point Mugu.

Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

PMTC A-6E Intruder BuNo 152623, #55, Pt Mugu, 23 October 1979.

Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

C-131F Samaratin BuNo 141000, 26 October 1979.

Unknown photographer.

QF-86H Sabre drone BuNo 53-1409, China Lake, 28 October 1979.

Photo by G.R. Markgraaf.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, Edwards AFB, 28 October 1979.

Aviation Archives photo.

TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, Edwards AFB, 28 October 1979.

Photographer unknown.

L-r: NA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152102, NFWS A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 150044, A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172 & TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 153677, China Lake, 07 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154172, Phoenix flyover, 08 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1409, China Lake, November 1979.

Photo Aviation Archives, G. Verver collection.

NWC F-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473, VX-5 OA-4M Skyhawk BuNo 154294, XE-16, and VX-5 A-6A Intruder BuNo 151565, XE-20, NWC China Lake, 16 Nov 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264 in-flight over the Sierras with 2 AGM-65E Mavericks, 14 Nov 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264 in-flight over the Sierras with 2 AGM-65E Mavericks, 14 Nov 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264 in-flight over the Sierras with 2 AGM-65E Mavericks, 14 Nov 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", NWC China Lake, Nov 1979.

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

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", NWC China Lake, 16 Nov 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", size comparison to QF-86F Sabre drones (55-5017 at left of photo), China Lake, 16 Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild" & unknown VX-5 A-7, China Lake, circa Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", China Lake, circa Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", China Lake, circa Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", starting #1, China Lake, circa Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", runway 21, China Lake, 16 Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", runway 21, China Lake, 16 Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", runway 21, China Lake, 16 Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", takeoff roll, runway 21, China Lake, 16 Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-61748, "It's Hawg Wild", airborne, China Lake, 16 Nov. 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

Four QF-86H Sabre drones & two QF-86F Saber drones at left, two QT-38A drones at center and another QF-86F at right, OV-10A Bronco by the Line Shack.

China Lake, 16 November 1979. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Armitage Field hangar #3, C-117D Skytrain BuNo 12431, C-117D Skytrain BuNo 17156, four T-38A Talons including s/n 59-1600 & three QF-86's, 16 Nov 1979

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

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264, China Lake, 17 November 1979.

Photo by B. Rogers.

A-7 Corsair II & USAF AGM-65E Maverick missile, hangar #3, China Lake, 18 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153677 at right & TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848 at left, hangar #3, China Lake, 18 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153677 & AGM-65E USAF Maverick missile, hangar #3, China Lake, 18 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264 & USAF AGM-65E Maverick missile, hangar #3, China Lake, 18 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264 & USAF AGM-65E Maverick missile, hangar #3, China Lake, 18 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264 & USAF AGM-65E Maverick missile, hangar #3, China Lake, 18 November 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 AH-1T Sea Cobra BuNo159227, plane captain Don Arnoldi and Maj. Peasley in the pilots seat, China Lake, circa 1979.

In the front seat is a YN or PN that worked in the CO/XO office. Note the experimental chaff dispensers on the stub wings.

VX-5 AH-1T Sea Cobra BuNo159227, improved Sea Cobra IR jammer on top and exhaust heat deflectors, China Lake, about 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo, PHC Robert Ziesler, USN Retd.

VX-5 OA-4M Skyhawk BuNo 154294, XE-16, China Lake, circa late 1979.

Photo by PHC Bob Ziesler, USN Retd.

Unknown B-29 at left and in center, B-29A Superfortress s/n 42-65281, "Miss America '62", at far right, China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29A Superfortress pilots seat & controls, China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29A Superfortress co-pilots seat & controls, China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29A Superfortress flight engineer controls, China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29A Superfortress Norden bombsight, China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29A Superfortress Norden bombsight & 50 caliber machine gun, China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.

B-29 Superfortress s/n 44-87779, "Legal Eagle II", China Lake, circa 1979.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PHC R. Ziesler, USN, Retd.
/1 left to right A-6E XE-18 BuNo 158041, unknown A-4, A-7E XE-03 BuNo 159271, A-7C XE-02, TA-7C XE-07 BuNo 154458 and TA-7C XE-08 BuNo 154379.

/2 Looking towards the rear of the forward bomb bay shows the wing spar as the center section tank is being filled. Also visible is the pressurized tunnel that connects the forward and mid crew compartments.

/3 The Flying Club a/c running from left to right in a column include 2 C-150's, 1 C-177RG, 2 C-172's, 2 T-34 Mentors, 1 C-182, 1 AA-1B & 1 AA-5.

/4 They had to weigh every bomb to make sure they weighed 25 pounds +/- a pound and use a template to check for straight fins. I can’t remember the name of the pod but it was a bomb drop simulation package. We dropped the bombs in MCAS Yuma. The actual bomb strikes were reconciled with where the computer said they should have struck. With the technology today it doesn’t seem too big a deal, but the computer was pretty right on.