Author Topic: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones  (Read 4518 times)

Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« on: December 20, 2017, 07:44:42 AM »
Glomb, Bomb, or Drone - the Unmanned Eastern Aircraft Wildcats

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg134386#msg134386

As discussed in the SuperCat thread (link above), Eastern Aircraft carried out a range of remotely-controlled 'flying bomb' conversions of Wildcats. The early conversions were quite extensive with the entire rear fuselage being made removable. This was necessary to accommodate a bulky payload made up of three bundled 250-lb HE bomb bodies mounted behind the former cockpit.

The former cockpit area housed Radioplane radio equipment and the batteries displaced by the explosives. All unnecessary equipment was removed to save weight - including the main undercarriage (and, usually, the tailwheel). Intended for use as unmanned 'reverse-kamikazes', these 'flying bombs' were to be launched from warships' catapults and controlled from accompanying Eastern TBM-1 Avengers. Although the system worked well, these pilotless 'kamikazes' proved vulnerable to naval anti-aircraft fire. Most of these aircraft would be expended against hardened land targets during Operation Olympic.

The first 'flying bomb' conversions were based on Grumman F4F-4 or Eastern FM-1 airframes. These conversions were given the 'glide bomb' cover designation LBM-1 while, at the same time, being redesignated in the fighter sequence as FM-7s. Later 'Glomb' conversions were based on the FM-2 airframe. These were given the cover designations LBM-2 and FM-8.

The last of the FM-8s were conversions of FM-3As. These were training variants -  the FM-8A (or LBM-2A) carried no explosives and retained its undercarriage. Even so, these training missions were one-way flights. Take-offs using the Radioplane controls were comparatively simple, landings were judged impossible. By far, the more common FM-3A conversion was the manned FM-8B. [1] These were piloted for take-off and landings but controlled during their simulated missions by the accompanying TBM.

[Bottom] One of the rare FM-8A/LBM-2A 'flying bomb' trainers in its high-visibility markings.

The final series of unpiloted SuperCats received no cover designations. These were production-line FM-5A conversions redesignated FM-5Z. [2] These airframes received typical 'LBM' mods [3] but lacked the removable rear fuselage - since a 250-lb payload could be installed without detaching the rear fuselage. That smaller payload reflected a shift in role to unmanned decoys.

The FM-5Z concept involved using the decoys to distract AA gunners by flying ahead of the main formation. In the rare event that an FM-5Z survived the flak, its controller could direct it on to a suitable target. The FM-5Z's service entry was timed to coincide with Operation Coronet, the invasion of Honshu. With the Japanese surrender, the FM-5Z flights were largely stood down. [4]

One exception was during the tense, last-minute operations around Hokkaido. Carrier-launched recon flights used 'bombless' FM-5Zs as 'sacrificial lambs' when reconnoitering the Soviet flotilla off that Japanese island's west coast. The Red Fleet gunners held their fire when overflown by US Navy aircraft and the FM-5Zs were flown into the sea at the end of those missions.

[Top] Eastern FM-5Z-1 employed for reconnaissance of Soviet ships off Hokkaido, late April 1946. The FM-5Z carried standard SuperCat camouflage with the addition of a bold white chevron over the upper wings and fuselage to aid visibility for their remote-control pilots.

_____________________________________

[1] There is no record of an LBM-x cover designation for the piloted FM-8B model conversions.

[2] In USN designations, 'Z' was an Administrative application. In the case of the FM-5Z it was applied to give maximum role flexibility to the program.

[3] A minor difference was that the LBM series' screw-on equipment hatch was replaced by a piano hinged arrangement. FM-5Zs could be distinguished by their rear 'destruct' antennae. Used in an emergency to destroy the decoy, these antennae took the form of either a tail boom or a trailing wire antenna.

[4] The vast majority of FM-5Zs were 'debombed' in the postwar era and expended as aerial targets for naval gunnery practice. These aircraft received an all-over bright red paint scheme and were redesignated as TDM-1 and TDM-1A target drones (depending upon the exact equipment fitted). The TDM-2s were FM-5As completed specifically as target drones in the immediate postwar period.

______________________________________
« Last Edit: December 23, 2017, 07:46:59 AM by apophenia »
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

  • He sees things in double...
  • twin-boom & asymmetric fan
    • my models
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2017, 02:15:44 AM »
Wow! :-* :-* And wonderful with these various colours, like logical each one! Great!

Offline Acree

  • That will teach you to frustrate the powers that be...won't it comrade?
  • Sentenced to time in the BTS Gulag...
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2017, 03:21:08 AM »
I know it was just a minor, easily done typo, but the following quote got me excited...

"The first 'flying bomb' conversions were based on Grumman F3F-4 or Eastern FM-1 airframes."

Wouln't it be cool if remote piloting technology had been just a little further along - all those F3F airframes could have been converted to glombs and expended at Midway or Coral Sea?

Oh well, just dreaming!

Offline Tophe

  • He sees things in double...
  • twin-boom & asymmetric fan
    • my models
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2017, 12:42:06 PM »
remotely-controlled 'flying bomb' conversions of Wildcats.
Would it be possible to see a Mistel including a piloted Wildcat mother-ship and a remote unmanned Wildcat unit? (above or below?) ;)

Offline elmayerle

  • Its about time there was an Avatar shown here...
  • Über Engineer...at least that is what he tells us.
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2017, 12:48:52 PM »
remotely-controlled 'flying bomb' conversions of Wildcats.
Would it be possible to see a Mistel including a piloted Wildcat mother-ship and a remote unmanned Wildcat unit? (above or below?) ;)
For more power/explosive weight, Wildcat controller and Grumman Skyrocket-based flying bomb.
« Last Edit: December 23, 2017, 11:58:49 AM by elmayerle »

Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2017, 07:49:36 AM »
Ooo, interesting ideas there folks. I was going to do a different form of Mistel for this GB ... but the more the merrier  :smiley:

Acree: Thanks for pointing out the typo. And watch this space ... there is something coming on the F3:D
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2017, 06:45:43 AM »

By 1941, the US Navy's Grumman F3F biplane fighters were obsolescing. Earlier-model F3F-1s were largely employed as aerial gunnery trainers for future combat Naval Aviators. A small number of well-worn F3F-2s were set aside for conversion as ground targets. The object was to mimic the new Grumman F4F-3 monoplane fighters.

[Top] Prototype conversion of F3F-2 to 'Wildcat Ground Target'

The F3F-2s' biplane wings were removed as was the Wright R-1820-22 radial engine. In their places were installed a new set of monoplane 'wings' and 'barrel-stave' cowling. The latter was fitted with a 'propeller' with blades cut to shape from planks. The former were fabric-covered wooden structures braced from below by struts attached to the former lower wing mounting points and by wires from above.

Some F3F-4Zs (the cover designation assigned to these conversions) [1] were also given reshaped false rudders. These rigidly attached surfaces were shaped more convincingly like the Wildcat's rudder (an illusion which was enhanced by painting on the suggestion of a curved fin leading edge).

These ground targets were intended primarily for use by overseas Marine Corps bases. Unfortunately, by the time the first conversions were complete, both the Philippines and Wake Island had fallen to the Japanese. The sole 'operational' use of 'Wildcat Ground Targets' was four conversions sent to ????? in the Panama Canal Zone in 1942.

[Bottom] F3F-4Z 'Wildcat Ground Target' deployed in Panama, Summer 1942

_________________________

[1] Initially, the ground targets were simply redesignated F3F-2Z (for Administration). Briefly that re-designation was amended to F3F-2GT - or F3F-2(GT) - before the final cover designation was applied.

_________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

  • He sees things in double...
  • twin-boom & asymmetric fan
    • my models
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2017, 11:20:45 AM »
If I understand correctly, these are not flying aircraft (without pilot ever anymore) just looking like flying ones (for pilot?). Good idea! (to fool the other side, and make us smile...) ;)

Offline apophenia

  • Perversely enjoys removing backgrounds.
  • Patterns? What patterns?
Re: Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2018, 07:32:40 AM »
That's right Tophe. Definitely non-flying. Just ground decoys intended to look a little like operational Wildcats.
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."