C-97 Stratofreighter s/n 52-2669 was used to simulate carrier deck wind conditions for aircraft firefighting practice, China Lake, circa 1980's.

©Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

C-97 Stratofreighter s/n 52-2669 was used to simulate carrier deck wind conditions for aircraft firefighting practice, China Lake, circa 1980's.

©Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

A 'retired' USAF C-97 Stratofreighter simulating carrier deck conditions on the survivability range.

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

Time for a burnt offering? No, just an old A4 giving it's all on the survivability range.

Official U.S.N. film from the Secret City video.

Burned out Skyhawk and A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142948, Survivability Lab., China Lake, circa 1980's.

©Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 160783, Weapons Survivability Lab., China Lake, circa 1980's

©Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

Burned out A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142892 & A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142948, Survivability Lab., China Lake, circa 1980's.

©Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

RA-5C Vigilante, BuNo 156639, modex 601, China Lake Weapons Survivablity Lab.

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

GE engine test, Aircraft Survivability Lab, sequence #1 of 4, China Lake.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

GE engine test, Aircraft Survivability Lab, sequence #2 of 4, China Lake.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

GE engine test, Aircraft Survivability Lab, sequence #3 of 4, China Lake.

Official U.S. Navy photo.

GE engine test, Aircraft Survivability Lab, sequence #4 of 4, China Lake.

Official U.S. Navy photo.