Aircraft Carrier Cable Test Monster

In a earlier Rod Builder and Customizer article, this "drone" was mentioned, a four jet engined vehicle used to check tension on those catch cables aircraft carriers use to reduce speed on landings. The article DIDN'T mention the actual year/ years this monster was used, and I found photo posted on a "Weird Cars" YouTube video, the first time I saw ANYTHING on it. Has ANYONE ever heard or seen this thing in action?

 

more info from the magazine article the pic was taken from?

1958 Popular Mechanics

 

oh...I like the Checker on the corner of your picture....

 

"Jet Donkey"! I'm familiar with JATO engines, but never heard of this!