An intriguing and often overlooked chapter in U.S. military aviation history is the conversion of front-line aircraft into remotely piloted drones, which is the topic of a new book, Q-Birds: American Manned Aircraft as Drones by General Aviation News columnist Frederick A Johnsen.
According to Johnsen, this practice dates back to the 1920s, gained traction during World War II, and reached its zenith during the Cold War when a surplus of military airframes became available. These aircraft served as testbeds, flying bombs, and target drones, playing a pivotal role in the development of modern aviation and weaponry.
Over the decades, the list of manned aircraft converted to drones reads like a catalog of aviation history.
According to Johnsen, it includes models such as the P-12, B-17, PB4Y-1, PB4Y-2, SB2C, F-80, T-33, F6F, F-86, B-29, B-47, F9F Panther and Cougar, F-100, F-102, F-104, F-106, F-4, F-16, P-39, and even the Boeing 720.
These drones performed diverse missions — from testing experimental systems to acting as missile targets and intercept training platforms. One of the most classified postwar projects, codenamed Banshee, aimed to use remotely controlled B-29s as one-way nuclear delivery vehicles, Johnsen notes.
Since the 1970s, Johnsen has visited numerous drone conversion sites, including facilities where F-100s and F-102s were modified, as well as ranges where these drones were deployed.
His extensive files include a treasure trove of rare and mostly unpublished photographs. Among the highlights, Johnsen has documented the final Boeing B-17G to roll off the Seattle production line, which was later repurposed and ultimately destroyed as a QB-17 drone.
The new book offers aviation historians and enthusiasts an unparalleled look at a neglected aspect of military aviation history. From the technical innovations to the operational use of these drones, it shines a light on a compelling and secretive side of post-World War II U.S. military aviation.
Q-Birds: American Manned Aircraft as Drones is hardcover book with approximately 225 photos and line drawings. It is available from Amazon for $38.29.
The genesis of the military’s drone program may have been the Navy’s TDR, manufactured by the Interstate Aircraft Company of El Segundo CA. The aircraft, largely made of wood, was manufactured at DeKalb IL and tested extensively from ships and land bases around the Great Lakes before being deployed to the Pacific theatre. In the Pacific, the Navy flew test flights and actual strikes from land and seaborne platforms. There are YouTube videos of the tests. The program was discontinued in 1944 but can legitimately be called the forerunner of today’s military and civilian remotely piloted programs. More information can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_TDR