The New Book Q-Birds

Q-Birds – The Impact of American Manned Aircraft as Drones explores the conversion of post-WWII U.S. military aircraft into remotely piloted drones, including secret projects.

This is an account of a fascinating but largely unknown aspect of post World War 2 US military aviation history, the conversion and use of former frontline aircraft to serve as remotely piloted drones. The story of the conversion of manned aircraft to drones began in the 1920s and accelerated during World War 2. It peaked during the Cold War era, when there was a glut of post-war airframes. The aircraft served in many capacities, including as targets and flying bombs for other aircraft and missiles to shoot at and intercept. One example of the sort of secret projects covered by this book, was a postwar scheme to use remotely controlled B-29s as one-way nuclear delivery devices under the code name Banshee.

Since the 1970s the author has visited a number of drone sites, including the plant that converted F-100s and F-102s as well as ranges where drones were used. His files include many photographs, mostly never previously published of the many and varied types of drone which were created including the last B-17G Boeing that rolled out the door in Seattle and was ultimately consumed as a QB-17 drone.

Aviation historians and enthusiasts will find so much of interest in this genuinely original, thoroughly researched, well-illustrated and utterly absorbing book which explores in detail a neglected but compelling aspect of recent US military aviation history.

Q-Birds – The Impact of American Manned Aircraft as Drones

Authors:

• Frederick A. Johnson & Frederick A JohnsenImprint:
• HikokiExtent:
• 202 Pages, Dimensions:
• 8.3 x 11.7 in,Photographs:
• Approx. 225 Cover:
• HardcoverISBN 9781800352797
• Available from

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