What's new?
21 March 2024
- Updated the DC-130 page with a dimensional analysis of the unique doube-radome nose, based on two photos kindly supplied by Bryan Wilburn
26 January 2024
- Updated the Versions page with projected versions 147NE and 147P, the latter courtesy of Bryan Wilburn. They are in italics to differentiate them from actually produced versions.
- Updated the Versions page with more accurate dimensions for a number of models, the result of yet to be published wing studies. Substantial corrections were made in several cases.
21 January 2024
- Updated the XQM-103 page with two photos from the San Diego Air and Space Museum photo archives, courtesy of Bryan Wilburn
20 January 2024
- Added an extra column to the main menu, for all information related to target Firebees. It's on the extreme right, to signify it's a side interest of this website
- Added a new page about the Model 336 HATS Firebee at White Sands, courtesy of Bryan Wilburn
- Added a new page about the BQM-34 at White Sands, courtesy of Bryan Wilburn and a friend
- Added a new page about the XM-21 at White Sands, courtesy of Bryan Wilburn and a friend
2023
24 August 2023
30 May 2023
- Updated the Desk models page with a BQM-34E/F, the base of which has updated texts, after Teledyne bought Ryan Aeronautical
2022
23 November 2022
- Updated the AQM-34L missions with slightly improved maps, calculated lengths of the low-level and return tracks, and new mission information from the 'Project CHECO' report
- Overhauled the Colors and markings page, and added sections from USAF and USN manuals. The Tech Order 1-1-636 screen shot is courtesy of 'Sabrejet'
13 September 2022
- Updated the Models page with a new model by ICM: 'Jig Dog' JD-1D Invader with KDA-1 drone
7 September 2022
- Updated the Desk models page with a 1/100 scale BQM-34A including its box, courtesy of Craig Kaston
3 January 2022
- Updated the Videos page with a new table format that shows what versions are shown in each video. More than 200 video links are presented
2021
5 December 2021
- Updated the Books page with the new book 'Drone War Vietnam' by David Axe
13 August 2021
- Updated the Models page with six box art pictures of the four new 1/48 Firebee models by ICM
5 February 2021
- Updated the Models page with four new 1/48 Firebee models by ICM
2020
9 October 2020
- Updated the Links page with a link to Tommy Truong's photos of the Vietnam war on Flickr with approximately thirty photos of Firebee operations at Bien Hoa, courtesy of Rob Mignard
2 October 2020
- Updated the Versions page with a second set of production numbers. Inevitably this leads to conflicting figures.
31 July 2020
- Updated the Beijing Model 147B page with a link to a site with two new photos of the current display.
29 July 2020
31 January 2020
- Updated the Models page with three new 1/72 Firebee models by PlusModel, news courtesy of Craig Kaston
1 January 2020
- Added a new page about the reconstruction of the BQM-34A wing profile from the limited data available
2019
5 December 2019
- Updated the Models page with photos of the contents of the Belcher Bits 1/72 KDA Firebee kit and the Lone Star Models Q-2A kit
26 November 2019
- Updated the Models page with a review of the Black Dog 1/72 BQM-34 Firebee, and it's full of errors
23 July 2019
- Restored the link to the Links page, that I deleted accidentally from the main page some time ago
17 June 2019
- Updated the Models page with more resin detail sets for the C-130, and a new resin 1/72 BQM-34A, all by Black Dog
2018
21 October 2018
- Updated the AQM-34L missions with better maps, including two additional ones with MARS-recovery at Nakhon Phanom
12 July 2018
- Updated the Books page with 'The 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron' from 2017, courtesy of Marek Vanzura
27 January 2018
- Updated the Museums page with a new entry for an Air Force BQM-34A at the Combat Air Museum at Topeka (KS), information courtesy of Darren Roberts
2017
18 December 2017
- Updated the Books page with three books that contain some information on the use of the Model 147E to obtain SA-2 radar proximity fusing, courtesy of Maarten Buffing
27 June 2017
- Updated the Magazine articles page with 'Predator e Global Hawk di 40 anni fa' by Mauro Fiorini published in Rivista Italiana Difesa
25 June 2017
- Updated the AQM-34 remains in Hanoi page with an interesting identification of a part shown, courtesy of Craig Kaston
23 June 2017
- Updated the Museums page with a new entry for a Navy BQM-34S at the Estrella Warbirds Museum, information courtesy of Tim Rathbone
- Updated the Links page with Martin Simpson's extensive Douglas A/B-26 Invader website that contains a page on Q-2A drones
- Updated the AQM-34L missions with extended notes on the 'Programmer / Autopilot' by Craig Kaston
21 June 2017
- Extended the AQM-34K 'Orange Crush' page with a description of the upload procedure, courtesy of Rich Saulnier
13 June 2017
- Updated the AQM-34L TV-50 page with better scans of the existing two photos plus a new photo, courtesy of Craig Kaston
22 May 2017
- Updated the Museums page with information about the first generation Firebee at the Dayton VFW Post, courtesy of Kevin Kuhn
18 April 2017
- Added a page that present an initial analysis of the AQM-34L missions, based on limited data available
- Added a page that shows ten Blue Springs photo routes, a great find in the CIA archives by Craig Kaston
12 April 2017
- Updated the Pima AQM-34K page with two photos showing 'Jaws' in 2016, made by Michael van Roosmalen
2016
9 July 2016
- Updated the Models page with news that Kiwi Resin is producing a 1/48 resin model of the AQM-34
26 May 2016
- Updated the Models page with two resin sets for the DC-130 in 1/72 and 1/48 scales by 'Attack Squadron'
14 January 2016
- Updated the Magazine articles page with news that Aviation Week launched an online archive of all its issues
9 January 2016
- Created a new page about AQM-34K 'Orange Crush', a MARS training Firebee, based on information and photos kindly supplied by Rich Saulnier. Previously it was only know as the 'Point Mugu wreck'
8 January 2016
- Updated the Videos page, extending the list from fifteen to fourty videos about the Model 147 / AQM-34 / BGM-34 that the San Diego Air and Space Museum (SDASM) posted on YouTube
2015
22 November 2015
- Updated the Desk models page with a desk model that appears to represent a Model 147C or 147D
1 November 2015
14 January 2015
- Updated the DC-130 page with some comments about 65-0971, a 'mystery' DC-130H, courtesy of Johan Visschedijk and Craig Kaston
2014
27 July 2014
- Updated the Pt Mugu AQM-34M wreck page with links to two photos showing this Firebee during better days
- Updated the Magazine articles page with 'Nerves of Steel - TAC's AQM-34M Reconnaissance RPV' in Air Force Magazine, April 1978
12 June 2014
- Updated the Models page with a correction on the information regarding C-130H nacelles
7 May 2014
15 April 2014
23 February 2014
- Updated the Videos page, adding links to some fifteen Model 147 / AQM-34 / BGM-34 related videos that the San Diego Air and Space Museum (SDASM) posted on YouTube
2013
17 September 2013
- Updated the DC-130 page: the entry for 56-0491 was corrected with regards to the props fitted. Information courtesy of Mike Hazlewood
23 June 2013
- Updated the Desk models page with desk models of an AQM-34M and what appears to be a Model 147G, courtesy of Mark Nankivil
- Updated the cameras page with information about the KB-10, courtesy of Anton Hermans
2012
8 October 2012
- Updated the Museums page with information about the San Diego Air and Space Museum's BQM-34F Firebee II, courtesy of Mike Hazelwood
10 September 2012
- Updated the Museums page with information about the US Army Air Defence Artillery Museum, that moved from Fort Bliss (TX) to Fort Sill (OK) in 2009. The collection is now expanded with an Q-2A (information courtesy of Jonathan A. Bernstein, Director / Supervisory Museum Curator)
1 July 2012
- Updated the Links page with a website presenting very detailed information about the former Teledyne-Ryan Aeronautical factory site at North Harbor Drive in San Diego
30 June 2012
- Created a new page about a Teledyne-Ryan owned AQM-34M under the 'Museums' heading, although little information is available at this time
22 June 2012
- Updated the Links page with a link to a Popular Mechanics article in the January 1954 issue
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 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