Fletcher FBT-2 explained

The Fletcher FBT-2 was a military trainer aircraft built in the United States in the early 1940s. Although it was never entered production as a trainer, it was ordered in small numbers as a target drone but when that was cancelled played a small part in the development of guided bombs.

Design and development

The FBT-2 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage which seated the pilot and instructor in tandem in an enclosed cockpit. Construction throughout was of plywood, and the wings were interchangeable, as were the tail panels.^[1]

Operational history

A single prototype was evaluated for military use, but generated no interest. However, the USAAF ordered the type as a radio-controlled target drone under the designation XPQ-11. The prototype FBT-2 was modified for use as a drone controller as the YCQ-1A. Two batches of 50 drones were ordered; however before any were delivered, the type was cancelled in favor of the PQ-8 Cadet, only the single prototype XPQ-11 being completed.^[2] The Army then ordered the ten PQ-11s under construction to be completed as XBG-1 glide bombs, the engine being removed and replaced with a 2000lb bomb.^[3] Testing was conducted, but the type failed to enter operational service.^[4]

Variants

• FBT-2 - basic trainer with Wright R-760 engine and tailwheel undercarriage (1 built)
  • CQ-1 - drone controller with tricycle undercarriage (1 converted from FBT-2)
• PQ-11 - aerial target with tricycle undercarriage and Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine (contract cancelled before aircraft completed)
  • BG-1 - glide bomb with 2000lb warhead (10 built from unfinished PQ-11s)

Operators

• United States Army Air Forces

References

Bibliography

• Book: Bridgman, Leonard. Leonard Bridgman. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1956-1957. 1956. Sampson Low, Marston & Company. London. B002A8AFD2.
• Web site: BG Series (BG-1 through BG-3). Parsch. Andreas. 25 June 2009. Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. Designation-Systems. 2017-12-14.
• Web site: PQ Series (PQ-8 through PQ-15). Parsch. Andreas. 7 February 2012. Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. Designation-Systems. 2017-12-14.
• Book: Taylor, Michael J. H.. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. 1989. Portland House. New York. 978-0517691861.

Notes and References

1. Jane's 1956, p.280.
2. Parsch 2012
3. American Aviation Historical Society. AAHS Journal, Volume 53 (2008), p.129.
4. Parsch 2009