Bill Coons

Shoot Only at the Red Airplane Bill Coons

This book covers the design, development and implementation of radio controlled U. S. Naval target aircraft drones. From 1917 through 1956, the book takes you right to the action as several NOLO (no live operator) aircraft dive on American ships to give the anti-aircraft gunners a real airplane to shoot at and improve their gunnery skills. Stories from pilots who were there at the time plus over 100 photographs from Reginald Denny's TDD series to the last piston engine drone, the Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat. Almost all of the drones and their controllers are pictured.