This airplane was used to train Regulus missile controllers. It was not a true drone since a pilot was required for takeoff and landing.
National Archives 80-GK- 23622
National Archives 80-GK-23623
Assigned to GMGRU-1. Pictures reportedly taken 29 June 1958 at Point Mugu.
Great photos! On the original photos, is it possible to see what colors the wing & nose wheel wells are painted? Would that hold true for the inside door colors?
ReplyDeleteLarry Engesath
It looks like the wells and interior of the landing gear doors are painted the same color as the exterior surface in that area.
ReplyDeleteI have a question: there are 2 types of modified "Panthers": drones and drone directors. I've seen many photos where the antennae are positioned under the wings, just outside of the wheel wells, e.g. BuNo 126265, PMR or BuNo 126279 35-ZZ, GMGRU-1. The other type (as on the photos above) has the antennae in the nose section (top and bottom), e.g. BuNo 123071, 34-ZZ, GMGRU-1 resp. the a/c above . Are all of them drone directors or are some manned drones?
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