{"product_id":"icm-1-48-bqm-34a-q-2c-firebee-with-trailer-1-airplane-and-trailer-plastic-model-kit","title":"ICM 1\/48 (BQM-34A) Q-2C Firebee with trailer (1 Airplane and Trailer) Plastic Model Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eIn the late 1950s, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eUSAF\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e awarded Ryan a contract for a substantially improved “second generation” Firebee, the Model 124, originally with the designation Q-2C. The initial prototype performed its first flight in late 1958 and went into production in 1960. In 1963, it was redesignated the BQM-34A. The old first-generation KDA-1 and KDA-4 targets then still flying with the Navy were (somewhat confusingly) given the respective redesignations AQM-34B and AQM-34C.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eThe BQM-34A emerged as the Firebee as it is recognized today, with a bigger airframe, longer wings, and a particular “chin”-type inlet under a pointed nose (in contrast to the circular intake of the first-generation Firebees). It was powered by a Continental J69-T-29A turbojet, a copy of the improved Turbomeca Gourdon derivative of the Marbore, with 1,700 lb\u003csub\u003ef\u003c\/sub\u003e (7.6 kN) thrust. The U.S. Navy also adopted the BQM-34A, while the Army obtained a ground-launched version designated MQM-34D with longer wings and a heavier JATO booster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eA feature of the second-generation Firebee is that some photographs show it to with triangular endplates on the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003etailplane\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e, while others show no endplates but feature a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eventral fin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e under the tail, and still others have neither endplates nor ventral fin. Since most modern hotographs of Firebees show the ventral fin, this may have been due to production changes or later refits (reference sources are unclear on this).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eIn 1960 the first \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003estealth technology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e development program was initiated by USAF, by reducing the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eradar cross-section\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e of a Q-2C drone. This was achieved through specially designed screens over the air intake, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eradiation-absorbent material\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003e on the fuselage and a special radar-absorbing paint.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ICM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48489341649117,"sku":"ICM48401","price":32.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0504\/0708\/0110\/files\/ICM48401.jpg?v=1788364829","url":"https:\/\/ultimatehobbies.com.au\/products\/icm-1-48-bqm-34a-q-2c-firebee-with-trailer-1-airplane-and-trailer-plastic-model-kit","provider":"Ultimate Hobbies Site","version":"1.0","type":"link"}