Project Aphrodite

Remote Controlled B-17s.
The USAAF was going to gut 10 Flying Fortresses and fill the aircraft with 20,000 pounds of an orange powder called nitrostarch, which was used for demolition. The B-17s were to be equipped with remote control radio equipment and be directed in the air by B-24s flying nearby.
A few of the drones were to be fitted with television cameras mounted in the nose so they could be directed precisely to the target.
A crew of two would be used to get the aircraft in the air and they would jump out after setting explosives and the controls.
These 'Weary Willies' as they were called were to be used against Hitler's V weapon sites.
The US navy had set up another drone program called 'Anvil'.
The first target for two 'Aphrodite' was an underground site at Mimoyecques in France. The operation went wrong almost from the start. The first made it to the target but the remote controllled aircraft wouldn't respond and it was shot down by flak. The second stalled and went into a fatal dive, killing Lt. John Fisher.
On the August 6th 1944 a PB4Y, a modified Liberator the Navy were trying out blew up in midair. The aircraft called 'Zootsuit Black' was carrying 24,240 pounds of Torpex and a two man crew. One was called Wilford J. Willy and the other was Joseph Kennedy Jr, brother of John F. Kennedy. They were killed instantly.
The radio controlled aircraft never really worked properly. Eventhough Hap Arnold wanted to use them eventually against the Japanese.

Operation Aphrodite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Something like sized-up Mistels?

 

I caught the backend of a doc today about a remote controlled Liberator full of explosive that was destined to hit a 'V3' site in 43/44 I think.

The only other info I caught was it had two Mosquito's flying infront doing the Recce's. A B-17 flying behind as a sort of radio relay and two P-38'S flying by its side that were to take over the remote controls after the Liberator pilots bailed out.

Does anyone have any links to this mission?

Cheers
Andy

 

Found this on Wiki

Operation Aphrodite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Cheers me 'Old China'

That was quick.....The one I mentioned was called 'Operation Anvil'

Thanks again
Andy

 

Joseph Kennedy, the eldest of the Kennedy brothers, was killed in the attempted 'Aphrodite' attack on the V3 launch site at Mimoyecques on 12th August 1944. He would almost certainly have been the family's presidential candidate, rather than JFK, had he lived. The Torpex bombload exploded prematurely while the plane was still over England, before Kennedy and his co-pilot were due to bail out. The accompanying Mosquito aircraft, filming the mission, was piloted by Elliot Roosevelt, son of President F.D. Roosevelt. Although the Mosquito was damaged by the blast, the highly experienced Roosevelt was able to land the aircraft safely. In fact, the Mimoyecques facility had already been rendered effectively inoperable in a raid by 617 Squadron 'The Dambusters' on 6th July 1944 when one 12,000 lb 'Tallboy' bomb penetrated the eastern battery and four others landed nearby, collapsing some of the tunnels with the shockwaves of their blasts.
CF Olsen, 'Aphrodite: Desperate Mission'; Duffy 'Target America', Hogg 'German Secret Weapons of the Second World War'

 

Something on "Aphrodite" from Rodger Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Manuel" (Janes).





Sorry for the last one , scanner and book not very compatiable.

Operation Aphrodite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Operation Aphrodite [Archive] - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Some good info here.

The parrallel in the Axis campmight be seen as being "Mistel" , an explosive packed JU-88 with a Fw190 to "pilot" it to the target.

 

The one I mentioned was called 'Operation Anvil'

Thanks again
Andy


Details of Operation Anvil........

Operation Anvil/Dragoon

 

Cheers Peter

It seems there may have been another Op Anvil

 

My Mistake and apologies, it was:

Project Anvil listed on this link
V-3 cannon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers
Andy

 

Some more info about Project Anvil:
Top Secret Mission: Project "Anvil"

Cheers
Andy

 

Just saw it on TV this afternoon , the difference between the projects the type of aircraft used , principles seem to be the same.

 

Andy, see previous thread.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/15153-project-aphrodite.html

You're welcome.

 

Just saw it on TV this afternoon , the difference between the projects the type of aircraft used , principles seem to be the same.

Ditto....I caught the back end of it

 

Operation Aphrodite was a plan to attack hard targets using war-weary B-17s (BQ-17) crammed with 9 tons of Torpex, flown by remote control. Running between Aug'44 and Jan'45, it ended up "dangerous, expensive and unsuccessful" !

JFK's brother Joseph Jr. died in one mission, having volunteered for the program even after having fulfilled his 25 mission tour.

A flying crew was supposed to take the plane off ground, fly it along, pass control over to a mother" plane, then bail out. Lots of info here in 12 O' Clock High, serial numbers and all, and on other similar ploys.

Here's a 5-minute History Channel skit on Youtube with a veteran pilot speaking.

 

On Joseph Kennedy Jr's death. His Navy Cross citation:

"For extraordinary heroism and courage in aerial flight as pilot of a United States Liberator bomber on August 12, 1944. Well knowing the extreme dangers involved and totally unconcerned for his own safety, Lieutenant Kennedy unhesitatingly volunteered to conduct an exceptionally hazardous and special operational mission.

Intrepid and daring in his tactics and with unwavering confidence in the vital importance of his task, he willingly risked his life in the supreme measure of service and, by his great personal valor and fortitude in carrying out a perilous undertaking, sustained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

 

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/15153-project-aphrodite.html

 

Rats!

Mods, please do the charitable deed?

 

I started a thread about this too a few months back

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/17905-calling-all-b-24-liberator-fans.html