F-86H Sabre s/n 53-1404, AMARC FC221, and s/n 53-1409, AMARC FC-268, arrive at China Lake, 08 January 1971. Photographer unknown.

F-86H Sabre s/n unknown, BE-LINDA, arrives at China Lake from AMARC, 08 January 1971. Photographer unknown.

Naval Missile Center E-2A Hawkeye BuNo 150538, #49, China Lake, 01 January 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072, Bulldog ordnance, China Lake, 19 January 1971. NAF A-4C BuNo 147781 at right. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072, Bulldog ordnance, LCol. Bennie W. "Bulldog" Summers, China Lake, 19 January 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156744 making a wheels up landing at China Lake, 19 January 1971. Photo by Gary Kynard.

NAF China Lake QT-33A Shooting Star drone in flight over the Sierras, 1971. Photo by Gary Kynard.

Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Scott, Project Manager for the 2.75 inch rocket program at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ, right, prepares to fly to Charlie Range aboard an NAF China Lake HH-1K helicopter piloted by USMC Maj. Jack Pipa, China Lake, 22 January 1971. Rocketeer photo.

RAdm. Thomas D. Davies, Deputy Chief of Naval Material, is greeted at the airfield by RAdm. W. J. Moran (NWC CO), Dr. N.E. Ward (Acting Deputy Technical Director), and Capt. R.E. McCall (NAF CO), China Lake, 26 January 1971. C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141022 in the background. Rocketeer photo.

L-r: Phil Ankeney AGILE Program Director; L. S. McDonald, NAVAIR AGILE Manager, and C. W. "Zip" Mettenburg, NWC AGILE Program Manager, review the launch tube mockups used in loading and storing the AIM-95 AGILE missile, China Lake, 29 January 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH2 D. E. Hart.

VX-5 Vampires Lt. J. Vomastic, right, receives congratulations from Arnie Vang, LTV representative, immediately after completing his 1,000th hour in A-7 Corsair II. Lt. Vomastic achieved the landmark on his last flight at VX-5, China Lake, 29 January 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH1 D.L. King.

P-N altimeter, NAF China Lake HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193, China Lake, 04 February 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193, P-N altimeter, China Lake, 04 February 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

LeRoy Marquardt (Systems Development Dept.) explains the intricacies of the Target Drone Control at the van used to house the equipment at NAF. Looking on are RAdm. Davies, RAdm. Moran, and Capt. C. A. L. Swanson, China Lake, 05 February 1971. Rocketeer photo.

USAF F-4D Phantom s/n 66-7700 with Walleye and F-104D Starfighter chase s/n 57-1317, China Lake, 11 February 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072, Bulldog missiles, Hot Line, 12 February 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake YOV-10D Bronco BuNo 155395, China Lake, 18 February 1971. modified to include a turreted FLIR sensor, laser spot tracker and turreted M-197 20-mm. NAF C-117D BuNo 17156 at right. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Members of the technical team responsible for the recent successful AGM-54A CONDOR shot at SCI pose by A-6A Intruder BuNo 149953 and the Condor missile. L-r are John Kane, North American Rockwell's Test Director, Ray Blackwell, Mel Creusere, Earle Roby, Jack Crawford & Nadim Totah of NWC, China Lake, 19 February 1971. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake QF-9 Cougar firing an AGILE missile, circa 1971. Naval Aviation News photo.

VU-3 DC-130A Hercules drone controller BuNo 158228 & BQM drone, China Lake, 04 March 1971. NAF China Lake C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028 in the background. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-4E Phantom s/n 68-0512, HOBO, China Lake, 11 March 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-6A Intruder BuNo 149936, MICRAD pod, China Lake, 12 March 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Capt. C.A. McDougal, Chief Staff Officer to the Commander, Fleet Air Alameda, conducts a personnel inspection during COMFAIRALAMEDA's Administrative Material Inspection of VX-5 last week. The personnel inspection and awards ceremony commenced day-long activities for which VX-5 received outstanding marks. Shown escorting Capt. McDougaI is VX-5's Lt. Jon Bromberg. China Lake, 12 March 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 G.L. Smith.

"Spook" makes way for progress after 16 years on the G-1 Range. Installed in 1954 the AN-SPQ-5 provided accurate target tracking and missile guidance for the many Terrier, Tartar and Standard Missile tests conducted on G-1 Range between 1955 and 1966. China Lake, 12 March 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH2 D.E. Hart.

USAF C-124A Globemaster s/n 51-0167, P-N van upload, China Lake, 15 March 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072 firing a Bulldog missile, 19 March 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Cessna 337 Skymaster N23229 was equipped with a mini-lab for measuring various atmospheric parameters as part of Project FOGGY CLOUD III, 26 March 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Project principals on FOGGY CLOUD III pose in front of the specially equipped Army CH-54B Skycrane s/n 69-18471 used in the tests. L-r they are: Col Richard Chabot; Dr. Vincent Hanoman; Alex Blomerth; Dr. Pierre St. Amand; and Dr. Richard Clark, 26 March 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Former VA-125 Rough Raiders A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 139927, NJ-007, ejection seat test, Skytop, China Lake, 04 April 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Aerial view of the new salvage yard located at Supply Department Warehouse 41. In the background are seven F-11A Tigers and in front of them is F6F-6K Hellcat BuNo 79192, China Lake, 09 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Deputy Sec. of Defense Packard and his party receive a briefing from James A. Bowen in hangar 1 with NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937 in the background, China Lake, 09 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

The Deputy Sec. of Defense and his party disembark from NAF China Lake HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193 after arriving at G-Range, China Lake, 09 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

NWC Commander RAdm. W.J. Moran and NAF China Lake CO Capt. R.E. McCall (3rd from left) greet Dr. Robert E. LeLevier. Chairman of the Jason Committee a group that recently paid a two day visit to the Center for orientation and technical briefings, China Lake, 23 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Apollo 15 Crew Commander USAF Col. David R. Scott and Lunar Module Pilot USAF LCol. James Irwin take the simulated Lunar Rover for a spin at the Coso Test Range, 30 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

The NASA back-up crew departs in a second vehicle to move over the course. The simulated lunar Module (background) is on a truck bed near Little Lake, 30 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

NASA Geologists simulate their Houston Manned Spaceflight Center positions to test the astronauts ability to describe geological samples, China Lake, 30 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Apollo 15 Crew Commander David R. Scott and Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin depart their simulated Lunar Rover to search for samples in the lava beds at Coso during NASA exercises, 30 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Crew Commander David R. Scott dons his life pack and camera rig with the help of two NASA technicians preparatory to boarding the simulated Lunar Rover near Cactus Peak, 30 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

C-130 Hercules IR study project, China Lake, 01 May 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires formation over Mt. Whitney around 1971. L-r A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154177 (XE-3), A-7B Corsair II BuNo 154366 (XE-11), A-6A Intruder BuNo 155590 (XE-18) and F-4J Phantom II BuNo 153812 (XE-8). Photo from David Carter.

NAF China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 17156 on the ramp, Armitage Field, China Lake, 8 May 1971. Photographer unknown.

F6F-5K Hellcat drone BuNo 79192 and F6F-5K Hellcat drone BuNo 79593 (behind), China Lake, 26 May 1971. Photo by Roy Locke.

F-80C Shooting Star s/n 49-1872 and s/n 49-0851, China Lake, 26 May 1971. VT-26 Flying Tigers F-11A Tigers BuNo's 138637, 138638, 141792 (3L-620), unknown and 141794 and B-29A Superfortress s/n 44-61748 in the background. Photo by Roy Locke.

F-80C Shooting Star s/n 49-1872, Area R, China Lake, 26 May 1971. VT-26 Flying Tigers F11F-1 Tigers BuNo's 138637, 138638 and 141792 (3L-620) in the background. Photo by Roy Locke.

NAF China Lake F-4J Phantom II BuNo 153812 in-flight with Agile missiles, China Lake, 11 June 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, Walleye, China Lake, 23 June 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, Walleye, China Lake, 23 June 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF F-4D Phantom s/n 66-8699, Walleye seek-bang, China Lake, 24 June 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156766, XE-01, on the VX-5 flight line, Armitage Field, China Lake, 1971. Left to Right - AE3 Bill Murray, AE3 Vic Magee and AO3 R.C. Lovelady. Photo by Vic Magee.

LCdr. Arthur E. Molloy was piped over the side during a retirement and inspection ceremony held at NAF Hangar Three. NAF China Lake CO Capt. R.E. McCall officiated at the ceremony and presented LCdr. Molloy with a letter of commendation. Molloy's first duty tour at NAF was from August 1962-66; his last tour of duty at NAF began in September 1968 and concluded with his retirement on June 25, 1971. NAF Photo.

NAF China Lake hangar 3 as seen from the VX-5 hangar, Armitage Field, China Lake, 1971. Photo by Vic Magee.

Former NAF China Lake DF-8F Crusader drone controller BuNo 144429, MASDC, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 1971.

USAF F-4D Phantom s/n 65-0698, Rockeye GRM, China Lake, 01 July 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires AQCS Billy Markham crosses the VIP red carpet during his retirement ceremonies last week. Chief Markham began his naval career in 1951, China Lake, 16 July 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 G.L. Smith.

VX-5 Vampires power plants supervisor ADJC Kenneth Dukeshier retired from active duty last week after a 20-year naval career, China Lake, 16 July 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 G.L. Smith.

Gen. H.A. Miley, Commanding General U.S. Army Material Command, inspects a XM197 20mm gun during his visit to NWC, China Lake, 16 July 1971, Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 151435, Sidewinder 1C, China Lake, 20 July 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A J-52 jet engine is reinstalled in VX-5 Vampires A-4F Skyhawk (154177 or 154179) during a 5 day training program for Sea Cadets, China Lake, 30 July 1971. Rocketeer photo.

A VX-5 Vampires sailor and a Sea Cadet load a shipment of TERS (Triple Ejections Racks) in preparation for mounting ECM Beacon Pods on A-7E Corsair II's, China Lake, 30 July 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Ronald Gray Mills.

VX-5 Vampires ordnance crew members and Sea Cadets load an ECM Beacon pod on a VX-5 A-7E Corsair II (BuNo unknown) during a five day training seminar, China Lake, 30 July 1971. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149936, Cold Cloud SUU-53/A dispenser, China Lake, 03 August 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Cold Cloud SUU-53/A dispenser on NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149936, China Lake, 03 August 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, Sidewinder 1C missile, China Lake, 04 August 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Unloading USAF IJ band, west of hangar 1 and the tower, Armitage Field, China Lake, 19 August 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VU-3 DC-130A Hercules drone controller BuNo 158228 & BQM drone, west side of the NAF Line Shack, China Lake, 20 August 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

HH-2D Sea Sprite BuNo 149033, Defense Contract Administration Service Office (Kaman) BQM drone controller, China Lake, 23 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, ARBS, China Lake, 01 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Capt. Ralph Hutch (right) CO of VAQ-13 explains flight characteristics of the Navy's EA-6B Prowler to Gen. B.K. Holloway, Commander in Chief, SAC (2nd from right), during Gen. Holloway's visit to China Lake last week. VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. Tex Birdwell, left, and NWC Commander RAdm. W.J. Moran briefed Gen. Holloway at VX-5 and coordinated his demonstration project flight in the EA-6B over NWC's Echo Range, China Lake, 03 September 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 R.G. Mills.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, ZUNI launchers on MERS, China Lake, 08 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

S-3A Viking ejection seat system test using an S-3 cockpit section & canopy, SNORT, China Lake, 22 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

HH-2D Sea Sprite BuNo 149033, Defense Contract Administration Service Office (Kaman) BQM drone controller, China Lake, 23 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

HH-2D Sea Sprite BuNo 149033, Defense Contract Administration Service Office (Kaman) BQM drone controller instrumentation, China Lake, 23 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

RAdm. Moran, NAF China Lake Co Capt. R.E. McCall, and Maj. R.C. Brown, USAF liaison officer at China Lake, were on hand to greet Maj. Gen. Paul T. Cooper, USAF (at left) when the aircraft bringing him here for a briefing touched down at NAF, China Lake, 24 September 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 R.G. Mills.

NAF China Lake F-4J Phantom II BuNo 153812, Agile missiles, China Lake, circa 1971. Pilots L-r: LCdr. Larry Blose, LCdr. Tom Cook and Cdr. Roy Cobb. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake HH-1K Huey BuNo 157194, AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, China Lake, circa 1971-1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USMC HH-1K Huey BuNo 157194, Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 28 September 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, FAE ordnance, China Lake, 01 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

FAE ordnance, Armitage Field, China Lake, 01 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158170, XE-15, and unknown VA-127 Batmen Skyhawk, location unknown, October 1971. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires CO Tex Birdwell's F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97259, XE-00, Point Mugu, October 1971. Photographer unknown.

NAF China Lake F-4J Phantom II BuNo 153812, Agile missiles, China Lake, 05 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USMC HH-1K Huey BuNo 157194, firing a Sidewinder missile at a tank target, 12 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Sidewinder missile fired from USMC HH-1K Huey BuNo 157194 hit on a tank target, 12 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, ZUNI FFAR's, China Lake, 13 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

ZUNI FFAR's on NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, China Lake, 13 October 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Aero Spacelines B-377SG Super Guppy, N1038V, China Lake, circa October 1971. Photographer unknown.

F-4A Phantom II BuNo 148262 ready to be loaded on Aero Spacelines B-377SG Super Guppy, N1038V, China Lake, circa October 1971. Photographer unknown.

F-4A Phantom II BuNo 148262 being loaded on Aero Spacelines B-377SG Super Guppy, N1038V, China Lake, circa October 1971. Photographer unknown.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, USAF Homing Bomb (HOBO) close-up, China Lake, 01 November 1971. Photographer unknown.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656in-flight with a USAF Homing Bomb (HOBO), China Lake, 01 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 148371, AO fuze test, hangar 3, China Lake, 03 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.\

NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 148371, AO fuze test vehicle, hangar 3, C-117D Skytrain (BuNo 17156 or 39070) in the background, China Lake, 03 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

GE wind machine powered by a Packard V-12 torpedo boat type engine is capable of putting out 550,000 cubic feet of air per minute at an exit velocity of around 95 miles per hour. It was used by the Infrared Countermeasures personnel of the Electronic Systems Department during tests of an aerial target drone which had a special device attached to its engine. China Lake, 05 November 1971. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, Rockeye II, China Lake, 10 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148437, USAF Homing Bomb (HOBO), hangar 1, China Lake, 16 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156747, USAF Homing Bomb (HOBO), hangar 1, China Lake, 16 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF Homing Bomb (HOBO), China Lake, 16 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, Walleye, China Lake, 17 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, in flight with a HOBO and a Walleye, 17 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147781, in-flight with a USAF Homing Bomb (HOBO), China Lake, 17 November 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Former NAS Point Mugu A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 139928, 7L-38, is shown mounted on the main test stand at the Aircraft Survivability Range. Army, Navy, Air Force and Industry visitors were on hand to witness a recent full-scale dynamic test of the vulnerability of the aircraft's fuel system to 12.7mm China Lake, 19 November 1971. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. "Tex" Birdwell flying a stock F4U-4 Corsair (BuNo 97259) was among the leaders at the finish of the California 1,000 Air Race held Sunday at Mojave. The World War II propeller driven craft placed fifth unofficially in a field of 20, 19 November 1971. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. Carl "Tex" Birdwell, ADJ2 Blackledge, AMS Gene Turner, AN Gary J. Gorka and unknown, pose by Capt. Birdwell's F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97259, XE-00, China Lake, CA, circa November 1971. Photographer unknown. Blackledge, Turner and AMS2 Tom Hoey served as the pit crew at the 1971 Reno Air Races for Capt. Birdwell.

During practice the Apollo 16 Astronauts first entered this simulated lunar Module near Little Lake, CA, 19 November 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Ronald G. Mills.

Apollo 16 Astronauts USN Capt. John W. Young and USAF LCol. Charles M. Duke operate a model of the lunar rovers, 19 November 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Apollo 16 Astronauts USN Capt. John W. Young and USAF LCol. Charles M. Duke explore desert terrain similar to the moons' volcanic highlands, 19 November 1971. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Ronald G. Mills.

Personnel re-load the British developed 30mm Aden guns on VMA-512 Flying Nightmares AV-8A Harrier (BuNo unknown) WF-20 while undergoing a program of weapons delivery training and data acquisition at NWC, 26 November 1971. Rocketeer photo by PHAN D.W. Yeats.

Nellis based USAF F-4D Phantom s/n 66-8824, tail code WA, Walleye seek-bang, China Lake, 03 December 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, Rockeye, Hot Line, China Lake, 08 December 1971. Unknown VMA-513 Flying Nightmares AV-8A Harriers tail code WF in the background. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AH-1G Sea Cobra BuNo 157759, FAE ordnance, China Lake, 08 December 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

ESKIMO I detonation of 13,700 155mm projectiles containing, in the aggregate, 200,000 lb. of TNT, Randsburg Wash, 08 December 1971. Rocketeer photo by Sam Wyatt.

VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. "Tex" Birdwell's WW II vintage F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97259, XE-00, drew considerable attention at the second annual Ridgecrest Christmas parade, 10 December 1971. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires AMS-3 Kenneth Gardner takes the oath of enlistment from Lt. M.C. Lansford at 20,000 feet in TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, China Lake, 10 December 1971. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, Walleye II ER-3, China Lake, 30 December 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, Walleye II ER-3 and HOBO, China Lake, 30 December 1971. Official U.S. Navy photo.

ALVRJ ramjet being tested at Skytop Bay 2, China Lake, circa 1970-72. L to R: #1 unknown, #2 Art Black (test engineer) or David Brewton, #3 unknown, #4 Harold Platzek (solid rocket engineer), #5 David Brewton or Stan Creasy, #6 Gary Wydra (T-Range test conductor). Gary Wydra designed and built a test stand to test the blow-in of the port covers on the front of the ALVRJ motor (necessary for it to convert to ramjet operation after burnout of the booster propellant and ejection of the rocket nozzle). LTV conceived the Advanced Low-Volume Ramjet and obtained funds from the Navy to conduct a demonstration program. NavAir asked (China Lake Propulsion Systems Division) to develop the booster portion of the missile, which we did in the early 1970’s. The program culminated in very successful flight testing of several vehicles, but there was no program to complete Engineering Development. For a brief summary, see the website following http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/alvrj.html

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