Vernon Huxley
Take a fascinating trip through a rarely discussed segment of U.S. aviation history: the transformation of crewed aircraft into drones. This captivating topic is covered in Frederick A. Johnsen’s new book, Q-Birds: American Manned Aircraft as Drones.
This practice started as early as the 1920s and saw massive growth during World War II, reaching its peak in the Cold War era. During these decades, an abundance of military aircraft, no longer needed for human-piloted missions, found new life as remotely controlled drones, essential for testing new aviation technologies and tactics.
Johnsen’s work provides a comprehensive catalog of aircraft repurposed into drones over the years — from the classic B-17 bombers to modern jets like the F-16. These aircraft have served in varied roles, including experimentation with novel tech as well as acting as moving targets.
A particularly secretive project, dubbed Banshee, attempted to employ B-29s as drone platforms for potential nuclear delivery. This illustrates how significant and sometimes clandestine these operations were.
Since the 1970s, Johnsen has immersed himself in this niche of aviation, exploring drone conversion sites, capturing rare photographs, and documenting aircraft repurposing processes. Among these, he highlights the final Boeing B-17G’s conversion to a QB-17 drone, ultimately concluding in its destruction.
For enthusiasts and historians alike, Q-Birds offers an unparalleled glimpse into the technical ingenuity and working aspects of military drones, often overshadowed in mainstream aviation history. Available as a hardcover with about 225 exclusive photos, this $38.29 book is a must-read for those keen to delve into aviation’s hidden stories.
The Untold Journey of U.S. Aviation: From Piloted Planes to Pioneering Drones
In Frederick A. Johnsen’s latest book, Q-Birds: American Manned Aircraft as Drones, a significant yet lesser-known chapter of U.S. aviation history comes to life. The book delves into the transformation of manned aircraft into drones, a transition that began in the 1920s and surged during the 20th century. Johnsen’s work offers a deep dive into this historical journey, unlocking layers of innovation and covert projects that defined military aviation development.
As Johnsen reveals, this era was marked by a repurposing of various aircraft, notably the B-17 bombers and F-16 jets, into drones, primarily for testing new aviation technologies and tactics. This conversion also contributed significantly to enhancing aerial combat and defense systems, offering unique insights into evolving U.S. military strategies. Particularly striking is the covert operation involving B-29s for potential nuclear delivery, highlighting the strategic importance of these modifications.
Among the book’s highlights, readers can explore the fascinating conversion processes that these aircraft underwent, such as the transformation of the last Boeing B-17G into a QB-17 drone. This particular conversion underscores the comprehensive innovation and occasionally destructive outcome these transformations entailed.
In addition to these historical narratives, the book aligns with current trends in aeronautics where the line between drones and manned aircraft continues to blur. Innovations in drone technology are pushing boundaries, influencing modern aviation’s direction, including advancements in unmanned combat systems and surveillance.
For those passionate about aviation history, Johnsen’s Q-Birds is more than just a book; it’s an exclusive catalog enriched with approximately 225 rare photographs. Priced at $38.29, it not only chronicles the technical prowess involved in these conversions but also unveils the strategic foresight that powered these initiatives. For further exploration into current innovations in aviation, you might visit Boeing.
