Early AAM-N-2 <i>Sparrow</i> air-to-air missiles on the underwing pylons of a Douglas F3D-1 <i>Skyknight</i>. One of the three XF3D-1 prototypes was modified in late 1952 as a test aircraft for the new <i>Sparrow I</i> air-to-air missile, and at least twelve F3D-1s were also modified with four stores pylons under the wings to carry the <i>Sparrow I</i> for development testing. These F3D-1s were given the new designation F3D-1M. The U.S. Navy test squadron VX-4 ws established on 15 September 1952 at the "Naval Air Missile Test Center" at NAS Point Mugu, California (USA), to assist in the development of the <i>Sparrow</i>.
U.S. Navy
circa 1953 <div style="display: none;">date QS:P,+1953-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902</div>
Official U.S. Navy photo 1023526 in: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/naval-aviation-1910-2010.html"><i>United States Naval Aviation 1910-2010</i></a>, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/publications/1910/7%20Chapter7.pdf">Chapter 7, The Korean War 1950–1953</a>, p. 262.