Q-Birds

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. This story begins as far back as the 1920s, gains momentum during World War 2 and peaks with the postwar glut of airframes during the Cold War era.The list of manned aircraft converted to drones over the decades is long and includes at least the following: P-12, B-17, 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 Boeing 720. These aircraft were used in a wide range of capacities; as test beds, flying bombs and targets for missiles and other aircraft to intercept and shoot down. 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.

[Johnsen's] newest book is a labour of love and presents information and photographs he has accumulated through his long aviation career. And, it is all here. This is the most complete history of the various drone programs used by the military since the early efforts in the 1920 to the modern QF-16 drones flown today that you will find...Good stuff for students of drones. -- Scott Thompson Aero Vintage Books
Johnsen chronicles these types in a degree of detail not previously seen in any single volume...Reproduction is pretty much faultless and the layout makes best use of the material. A very fine work in every respect. -- Ben Dunnell Aeroplane
This is a stunning, inspiring book and Hikoki's standard large format really lets the imagery 'breathe' so you can enjoy all the sumptuous detail and you'll instantly want to build many of the aircraft shown throughout... It's worth every penny of the £34.95 asking price. -- Chris Clifford Key Model World
A scan through the book shows that all of the promise given in terms of scope is richly fulfilled. Clearly the author has long held the subject as a special interest and with his collection of high-quality photos of the more recent types complimenting the archive material, a truly fine piece of research is on offer. I can already see that this is going to rate as one of my top books of recent years and...Thoroughly recommended. -- Richard Vandervord Aviation Enthusiast Facebook Group

Frederick A Johnsen is an award-winning aviation historian, writer and photographer with more than 25 books published and thousands of articles to his credit. He is a contributing writer and columnist for General Aviation News, and the publisher of the Airailimages YouTube channel that has surpassed 100,000 subscribers. Fred earned bachelor's degrees in history and journalism from the University of Washington. He has worked as a daily newspaper reporter, aviation publications editor, US Air Force historian and museum director, and writer and photographer for publications including Air Force Association Magazine (now Air and Space Forces Association), Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Today, General Aviation News, Wings, Airpower, Flight Journal, Aviation History and FlyPast. Fred's book, Sweeping Forward, a history of the experimental X-29 published by NASA, earned him the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) History Manuscript Award. He received the Department of the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award. Fred has studied the development and use of American manned aircraft converted to drones for decades. His research for this volume took him on expeditions to archives and to drone conversion centres and ranges.

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