What's new?
30 April 2012
- Updated the Links page with three links to Firebee wreck photo reports by Joe Idoni
26 January 2012
2011
22 March 2011
- Updated the Links page with a fantastic photo set of the first-generation Firebee posted on Flickr by the San Diego Air & Space Museum
22 January 2011
- Created a new page about Firebee cameras, initiated by Colin Hall sending a picture of the Hycon HR233 camera as used in the Model 147A, B and G
2010
20 October 2010
- Updated the Warner Robins AQM-34N page with the first photo showing it suspended from the ceiling, courtesy of Harry Swett
13 October 2010
28 September 2010
13 August 2010
- Updated the Desk models page with a desk model of the AQM-34Q/R, courtesy of Mark Nankivil
- Updated the Magazine articles page with 'Velivoli senza pilota sul Vietnam' by Mauro Fiorini published in Rivista Italiana Difesa
30 July 2010
23 July 2010
- Updated the Books page with 'Buffalo Hunter 1970 - 1972' which can be downloaded as a PDF document
17 July 2010
- Created a new page about the Warner Robins AQM-34N that was probably added recently to the museum's public display
16 July 2010
- Updated the Books page with 'Air Force UAVs - The secret history' which can be downloaded as a PDF document
20 May 2010
- Revised the Models page: all the DC-130 comments were split off to a section at the end of the page. With the help of Tim Rathbone a section on the DC-130 noses was added. Added a scan of the Italeri BQM-34A sprues
18 May 2010
- Updated the Beijing Model 147B page with a new photo courtesy of Haydn Neal, and added some text about the crash conditions
1 May 2010
- Updated the Videos page with its second entry
18 April 2010
- Updated the Desk models page with a metal desk model of the BQM-34A by Fermo, and reorganised the page
23 March 2010
- Updated the Desk models page with photos of a BGM-34C model, courtesy of Craig Kaston
21 March 2010
- Updated the Desk models page with two 1:100 desk models found on Ebay
26 February 2010
- Updated the Links page with new URL's for Joe Baugher's serial number listings
7 February 2010
2009
30 December 2009
- Updated the Beijing Model 147B page with some research that possibly identifies this Firebee as 147B-20
29 December 2009
- Updated the Ray Vitkus page with two additional BGM-34B photos, courtesy of Ray Vitkus
28 December 2009
- Updated the AQM-34V page with a photo contributed by Michael Burke
4 November 2009
- Updated the Links page by splitting off the links to the BQM-34 target drone, and adding a link to John Nitka's B-26/Q-2A page
- Split off the desk models to a separate Desk models page, and updated the new page with two models found on Ebay
21 October 2009
- Updated the Models page with two photos of the TRA AQM-34L desk model
17 October 2009
- Updated the USAF units page with details about the disbanding of the 432nd Tactical Drone Group, courtesy of Rich Saulnier
21 July 2009
- Updated the DC-130 page with corrected modex codes for BuNo 158228 and 158229, courtesy of Chuck Bradford, former DC-130 navigator with VC-3, an added a link to photos of BuNo 570497
8 June 2009
- Updated the Links page with a link to a PDF of 'Standard Aircraft Characteristics BQM-34A Firebee' from 1968, thanks to Mark Nankivil
1 June 2009
- Created a new Videos page with just one entry, but it's interesting
19 May 2009
- Updated the Links and Museums pages with updated URL's, thanks to Mark Nankivil
2008
26 October 2008
- Updated the Models page with a new DC-130 resin set by Eggversion Conversions from Japan
18 September 2008
26 June 2008
- Updated the Links page with a link to the new 100th AMMS alumni website, with lots of unique photos
- Updated the Models page with information about a resin 1/32 BQM-34A model
9 May 2008
- Updated the Models page with a photo of an AQM-34N desktop model
10 February 2008
- Updated the Models page with photos of three old desktop models, kindly provided by Ray Vitkus
19 January 2008
- Updated the Beijing Model 147B page with four excellent photos of this downed Firebee, kindly contributed by Norman Graf
- Updated the DC-130 page with news that DC-130A 57-0497 was finally retired in June 2007, courtesy of Craig Kaston
2007
17 December 2007
3 December 2007
- Updated the Models page with text and photos of four Airmodel AQM-34's built by Alex Hunger
9 September 2007
- Added a small new page about a downed Model 147B in a museum in Beijing, with two partial photos kindly contributed by Mark Haswell from Australia
23 August 2007
- Updated the Museums page with an AQM-34N in the collection of the Beijing Aviation Museum of the Beihang University, with one photo link
22 August 2007
- Updated the Museums page with confirmation that the Firebee at the Air Force Space Museum at Cape Canaveral has a target Firebee on display. Information courtesy of John Thomas
30 March 2007
- Updated the Museums page with news that the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, CA, has a collection of AQM-34 bits and pieces. Information courtesy of Rob Mignard
26 March 2007
- Created a small new page about the Lackland AQM-34L that contains a link to the first publicized photo of this Firebee
8 March 2007
- Updated the Models page with photos of four desktop models, kindly provided by John Nitka
19 February 2007
- Updated the Pima AQM-34K page with a link to a walkaround by Luc Colin on the Prima Portal website
6 February 2007
- Updated the Ray Vitkus page with two additional photos, courtesy of Ray Vitkus
2006
22 December 2006
- Updated the Ray Vitkus page with five additional photos, courtesy of Ray Vitkus
15 December 2006
5 December 2006
- Created a new page with photos contributed by former TRA engineer Ray Vitkus. The page currently shows and discusses eight photos, but more will be added.
- Created a new page about the Hill AFB AQM-34V's with photos contributed by Ray Vitkus and Lou Amadio
25 October 2006
- Updated the BGM-34C page with six new photos kindly supplied by Craig Kaston
24 October 2006
20 October 2006
- Updated the DC-130 page with two photos kindly supplied by by former DC-130 pilot Lou Amadio
- Updated the USAF units page with two patches also sent by Lou Amadio
11 October 2006
10 October 2006
3 October 2006
- Updated the Models page with an old DB Productions 1/72 resin DC-130 nose
26 September 2006
24 August 2006
- Positive news about the Western Museum of Flight: the museum signed a lease contract for two hangars at nearby Torrance Municipal Airport / Zamperini Field in Torrance
4 August 2006
1 August 2006
- Corrected the AQM-34 TV-16 page: it is an AQM-34K instead of an AQM-34L
20 July 2006
- Updated the Hill AFB Model 147SB page with a 32 photo walkaround kindly provided by Duane Kaiser (via Craig Kaston)
5 July 2006
24 June 2006
23 June 2006
- Created a new page about the Hill AFB Model 147SB around a 20-photo walkaround kindly supplied by Dane Ligon
31 May 2006
22 April 2006
20 April 2006
30 March 2006
- Updated the Pima AQM-34Q page a drawing of the 147TE kindly provided by John Nitka, and information by Dave Matthews about an antenna visible in the drawing plus a brief update on the restoration progress
- Updated the Hanoi museums page with comments by Dave Matthews on the wreck parts
16 March 2006
- Updated the Western Museum of Flight AQM-34K page with interesting discoveries about this Firebee's history as a electrical mock-up by both Lear Siegler and Teledyne-Ryan, plus two photos, courtesy of Craig Kaston
23 February 2006
- Updated the Books page with 'History of Strategic Drone Operations' by David W. Irvin Jr (courtesy of Craig Kaston)
16 February 2006
7 February 2006
2 February 2006
- Updated the Versions page with an entry for the Lear Siegler YAQM-34U
30 January 2006
- Updated the Pima AQM-34Q page with information that the 'Flying Submarine' and mission markings are not original; it was repainted between its Korea service and donation/loan to the Pima museum. The USAF Museum will repaint it with the original markings however. Information courtesy of Dave Matthews
- Updated the SAC museum AQM-34K and Pima AQM-34K pages to reflect that both are now almost certainly AQM-34K's instead of AQM-34L's
27 January 2006
20 January 2006
- Updated the Pt Mugu AQM-34K/M wreck page with more information on its history and airframe composition, courtesy of Craig Kaston
10 January 2006
- Updated the Models page with a 1/72 resin KDA-4 Firebee drones set by Belcher Bits
3 January 2006
- Updated the Hanoi museums page with three new photos of Firebee wrecks, courtesy of Pedro Fuster
2005
29 December 2005
- Updated the Models page with a link to a 1/48 DC-130 model built by István Hevesi
20 December 2005
- The DC-130 serial list on the DC-130 page was again revised and updated by Craig Kaston
15 December 2005
- Updated the DC-130 page with two more photos sent by Craig Kaston, and an extended discussion of the pylons fitted
13 December 2005
- Updated the DC-130 page with an old USAF photo sent by Craig Kaston
8 December 2005
- The DC-130 serial list on the DC-130 page was completely revised by Craig Kaston, and an introduction was added
6 December 2005
- Updated the SAC museum AQM-34L page with news that it likely is an AQM-34K, courtesy of Craig Kaston and Stephen Miller
- Updated the Pima AQM-34L page with news that it too likely is an AQM-34K in disguise, courtesy of Craig Kaston
1 December 2005
25 November 2005
- Added a new page about AQM-34L TV-50 in a orange test scheme. Craig Kaston found two photos of it the archives of the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) History Office at Edwards AFB
- Updated the Edwards AFFTC museum's AQM-34J page with a short discussion of the possibility that it is an AQM-34H instead of an AQM-34J, and a photo of the the display placard, courtesy of Craig Kaston
18 October 2005
- Updated the Pima AQM-34Q page with an interesting story by Dave Matthews about the rough coating applied to the football shaped antenna fairing
- Updated the AQM-34L TV-16 page with a more likely explanation of the 'TV-16' designation, courtesy Dave Matthews
17 October 2005
- Created a new page for the Edwards AFFTC museum's AQM-34J around a photo series kindly contributed by Craig Kaston
- Updated the Gene Kincaid page with news that AQM-34L 69-6069 was an L(TV) version, hence the special radome fitted. With thanks to Craig Kaston for identifying the radome, that is now seen for the first time in public
- Updated the Versions page with separate entries for the L(TV) and M(L) versions
- Updated the San Diego AQM-34P page with news that the museum does not have the identity of this Firebee in their records (courtesy Craig Kaston)
13 October 2005
- Updated the Warner Robins AQM-34V page with a walkaround photo series by Craig Kaston. The photos likely show the factory markings
- Updated the links to pages showing the Chinese Model 147 replica WZ-5, courtesy of Craig Kaston
21 September 2005
- Updated the XQM-103 page with four new photos of the XQM-103 as shown at an Edwards Open House in 1979 (four years after the project was terminated), thanks to Craig Kaston
- Added a new page about AQM-34L TV-16 in a YF-16 paint scheme, shown at Edwards Open Houses in 1979 and 1980. The photos and information were (again!) contributed by Craig Kaston
14 September 2005
- Updated the Models page with three Firebee models by Lone Star Models
13 September 2005
- Updated the Pima AQM-34Q page with three more walkaround photos by Craig Kaston
- Updated the Eglin BGM-34 lookalike page with a new photo from Craig Kaston showing it in another paint scheme
7 September 2005
- Updated the Pima AQM-34Q page with a great walkaround photo series from 1978 kindly supplied by Craig Kaston. They reveal that this Firebee had a second nickname
- Updated the Pima AQM-34L page with two black and white photos from 1978, that show the 'original' markings of the Pima Firebee. The photos are courtesy of Craig Kaston
6 September 2005
- Updated the SAC museum AQM-34L page with a new walkaround photo series contributed by Mark Nankivil. The new photos show new details that make it clear that this Firebee is not a true AQM-34L
- Updated the US Navy Model 147SK page with a third Navy photo kindly contributed by Craig Kaston
2 September 2005
- A small update on the XQM-103 photo: Robert Chisman wrote that it had a speed brake installed in the tail cone, and it is clearly visible as a gray area
27 August 2005
25 August 2005
- Created a new page about the US Navy Model 147SK with two Navy photos kindly contributed by Craig Kaston
- Updated the XQM-103 page with a unique new photo of this high-maneuvrability AQM-34 derivative, courtesy of Robert Chisman
16 August 2005
- Corrected the Pt Mugu AQM-34M wreck page: the serial number on the pallet appears to be 70-1115 instead of 70-1175, which fits perfectly with the factory sequence number SD-8, thanks to Craig Kaston
- Updated the Warner Robins AQM-34V page with the identity of this Firebee, courtesy of Craig Kaston
15 August 2005
- Updated the Western Museum of Flight AQM-34K page with a link to restoration project leader Herb Stark's 'Stark Ravings' website, where more restoration photos can be found
10 August 2005
9 August 2005
- Updated the Western Museum of Flight AQM-34K page with four photos of the camera and electronics compartments, kindly provided by restoration project leader Herb Stark
25 July 2005
- Created a new page about the XQM-103 high-maneuvrability derivative of the AQM-34, based on information kindly supplied by Robert Chisman, the airframe project engineer
- Updated the Versions page with the camera systems used in the recce versions
21 July 2005
19 July 2005
14 July 2005
- Updated the Pima AQM-34L and Pima AQM-34Q pages with information of their origins at Davis-Monthan AFB, courtesy of Msgt Gerry Ridener
8 July 2005
- Added a very interesting new entry to the Other museum AQM-34's page: the Western Museum of Flight at Hawthorne (CA) has an AQM-34K under restoration. This is the night photography version of the AQM-34L, of which only 20 were built
13 May 2005
- Updated the Pima AQM-34Q page with confirmation that it is under restoration at the USAF Museum
26 April 2005
- Updated the Gene Kincaid page with two photos of AQM-34L 69-6069
5 April 2005
- Updated the Models page with box-art pictures of the various DC-130 kits
4 March 2005
- Added a new entry to the Other museum AQM-34's page: the Museum of Aviation at Warner-Robins has a 3/4 scale replica of a 147NX in its warehouse
2 March 2005
- Received confirmation that the Tyndall BQM-34's indeed are of the upgraded type with J85 engines
28 February 2005
17 February 2005
- Added a new page with four historic photos kindly contributed by Gene Kincaid
10 February 2005
- Major technical update, hopefully solving the 'return' link issue, and adding a uniform background color for all pages. Please report any problems you experience!
8 February 2005
Return to AQM-34 home page