The US Navy's Kamikazes
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:03 pm
STAG ONE
From one of the pages:
Tommy Thomason's book "strike from the sea" details some of it, and how the Japanese initially thought these were american Kamikazis. [:D]
If you're wondering why these things have cockpits -- they were flown during test flights to check out the systems with human pilots; and for operational strike missions, a flush fairing was fitted over the now empty cockpit.
From one of the pages:
STAG ONE was the first of three planned Special Task Air Groups authorized to be formed by SATFOR (Special Air Task Force). In August 1943, under the command of Commander Thomas W. (Tommy) South II they began operating assault drones from the aircraft training carrier SABLE in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan. Catapult launchings of assault drones with full ordnance loads (2,000 lbs.) were also performed during this period.
STAG ONE, one year later, carried out 46 attacks against designated defended targets in the Northern Solomons area. A record of 46.5% hits, with no KIA's, no MIA's, no POW's, and no injuries to personnel or damage to or loss of first-line control aircraft. And yet, the program was scrapped the day following the final, four missile strike against targets in Rabaul. In the final strike, there were four hits on the four designated primary and/or secondary targets. On the day following, October 27, 1944. orders were issued to break camp and prepare to return to the U.S. for decommissioning
Tommy Thomason's book "strike from the sea" details some of it, and how the Japanese initially thought these were american Kamikazis. [:D]
If you're wondering why these things have cockpits -- they were flown during test flights to check out the systems with human pilots; and for operational strike missions, a flush fairing was fitted over the now empty cockpit.