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| USAAF SATFOR STAG-1 |
Aircraft History Built by Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation in DeKalb, Illinois. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TDR-1 Assault Drone bureau number 27??? (last three digits unknown) in the range of 27859-27958. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to Special Air Task Force (SATFOR), Special Task Air Group One (STAG-1). No known nickname or tail number. Likely, this aircraft had a three digit tail code. Mission History On October 1, 1944 in the morning took off from Stirling Airfield armed with a 2,000 pound bomb (Mission 2) as one of four TDR-1 Assault Drones, each controlled by a TBM Avenger "mother ship" from VK-12 on a mission against anti-aircraft gun positions on Poporang Island in the Shortland Islands. This drone was either No. 3 or No. 4 on the mission Over the target, this drone crashed into a ridge on Poporang Island. Wreckage This drone remains in situ on the side of a ridge ridge on Poporang Island. Local people erroneously refer to it as a "helicopter wreck" due to the tubular wreckage. The wreckage includes the tubular frame, pieces of aluminum ad other small pieces of wreckage. Justin Taylan adds: "The wreckage has evidence of shrapnel or bullet holes, possibly indicating the Japanese were firing at this drone before it impacted." References Navy Serial Number Search Results - Interstate TDR-1 Bureau Numbers 27859-27958 "Naval Aircraft Factory TDN development built in modified configuration by Interstate as TDR-1. Was unmanned remotely-conrolled aircraft for use in combat as assault drone." NARA STAG-One War Diary 1 September 1944 to 1 November 1944 page 3 (Page 3) "1 October 1944 - Attack by four TDR-1 planes each with 2000 lb G.P. bombs on anti-aircraft installations on Ballale and Poporang Islands... The third drone exploded on the eastern edge of the ridge on the north part of Poporang Island in the general area containing the gun positions. The fourth drone hit and exploded in the same general area as drone No. 3." Contribute
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