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In the process of covering the Bendix Trophy story for NANews, Lt. A. J. Da Rodda of VF-74, who was the New York coordinator for Project LANA, recorded the various "hot line" transmissions referenced in his narrative. Inasmuch as his log of Project LANA, 24 May 1961, presents an unusual world picture of a classic struggle against time and circumstances, it is reproduced here. LANA Three entries are in bold face. All times are EDST. 1059-LANA One, Cdr. Julian Lake (pilot) and Ltjg. E. Cowart (Radar Intercept Officer) airborne at Ontario International Airport, California. Five A3D Tankers from VAH-4 under Cdr. Marn, O-in-C, out of Whidbey Island, two A4D tankers from VA-125 under command of Lt. Gleim, O-in-C, out of Moffett Field, plus one F3D flown by LCdr. J. Foxgrover of VF-74 (coordinator for refueling area) and two WF's airborne and on station over first refueling site. Aircraft took off from Kirtland AFB. A3D's used ten bottles of JATO for take-off and grossed out at over 83,000 pounds. 1112-LANA Two, LCdr. Scott Lamoreaux, and Lt. T.J. Johnson airborne at Ontario, Calif. 1116-LANA One at Peak Springs, three minutes ahead of profile schedule. 1124-LANA One is five miles from pushover point and getting ready to descent to pick up tankers. 1125-LANA Two under positive radar control. 1127-LANA Two reported 22 miles north of Needles. [[In bold]] 1129-LANA Three, Lt. Dick Gordon and Ltjg. Bobbie Young airborne out of Ontario, Calif. 1130-LANA One reported plugged in and gulping. 1134-LANA Two reported 100 miles out from tanker. Present calculations show LANA Two doing 20 knots slower than LANA One over same course. 1141-LANA One off tanker with a full load. 1143-LANA Four, LCdr. Paul Spencer and Lt. Jim Wagner, airborne out of Ontario, Calif. 1144-Top speed on first leg for LANA One reported at 1200 miles per hour. 1145-LANA Two plugged in and drinking. 1150-LANA One visually sighted above Pueblo, Colo. "Really making tracks," states Dali Lana. 1158-LANA Two off tanker with full load at Wagon Wheels Gap. He is 30 miles down the track from drop off point and 3 minutes behind on profile. 1159-LANA Five, LCdr. Stecker and W.O. Glace airborne out of Ontario. [[In Bold]] 1200-LANA Three reported drinking and on track. 1204-LANA One 50 miles out from refueling point. [[In Bold]] 1206-LANA Three off tanker and with a full load. Profile looks O.K. 1213-LANA One has a visual on the second tanker. 1215-LANA Two 8 minutes from second plug-in. 1218-LANA One hooked up. 1219-LANA Two is 160 miles out from second refueling area. 1227-LANA Two tally-ho the tanker. 1230-LANA One off the tanker again. Now four minutes late on profile. Some difficulty here in refueling. 1232-LANA One over the Missouri River. 1233-LANA One hooked up again. Slow transfer of fuel has bogged him down on profile time. [[In bold]] 1235-LANA Three 100 miles out from second plug-in. 1235-LANA One north of St. Joe. Some difficulty still exists. A possibility he may be out of the race. 1236-LANA Four reported off taner at 1233 and proceeding on course. 1241-LANA Five off tanker in good time but only received 13,000 pounds of fuel. This will possibly put him short before second plug-in. 1244-LANA Two is experiencing trouble on plug-in. [[In Bold]] 1245-LANA Three ten miles from second refueling. 1250-LANA One and LANA Two are not receiving fuel fast enough. Time on profile is being lost. 1254-LANA One definitely off tanker. Posit is 30 miles south of Ottumwa, near Iowa-Illinois border. 1255-LANA Two broke off tanker without a full load. He's 100 miles south of Des Moines but figures he can still hack the third plug-in area. [[In Bold]] 1258-LANA three off tanker. Three minutes late on profile but he got a full load. 1300-LANA Four is 50 miles west of Salina, Kans. Looks like he might have to drop out. LANA One, Two and Three have tapped all tankers. This might force Four and Five to land in St. Louis area. 1305-LANA One clocked by radar at 920 knots. [[Page number]] 8 NAVAL AVIATION NEWS
