This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
Photograph was edited for publication purposes The Valley Air National Guard Base was a United States Air Force base, located at Van Nuys Airport in California. Also called the San Fernando Valley Airport, it was originally opened in 1942 during World War II. In 1949, the City of Los Angeles purchased the airport from the government for $1.00 and a provision for a California Air National Guard facility for 40 years. The Air Force closed its facilities there in 1990. The Van Nuys Airport is now owned and operated by the city of Los Angeles. Photograph caption dated March 6, 1956 reads "Panic button sounds 'scramble.' Valley pilots, clad in high altitude dress, race from 'alert' shack with parachutes and colorfully painted helmets to waiting F-86 Sabre Jets. Pilots pull 24-hour alerts and can soar into stratosphere at supersonic speed in matter of minutes. This 'bird,' as planes are called, stands fully loaded with deadly ammunition."; See images #00144585 through #00144591 for all photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
California.--Air National Guard Van Nuys Airport Men--California--Los Angeles Air pilots, Military--United States Sabre (Jet fighter plane) Airplanes, Military Military uniforms Airports--California--Van Nuys (Los Angeles) Hangars--California--Los Angeles Van Nuys (Los Angeles, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
