Project Aphrodite
Also when the V-1 was not the first "guided weapon", then its mass employment aroused nevertheless an intensified interest in the allied camp in weapon carriers in the unique use. Loaded and radio-remote controlled conventional military aircraft it had given considerations for the use of unmanned, with explosive of course in different staffs. In view of the threat by V-weapons now this possibility on suggestion of the USSTAF (US Strategic Air Force) was taken up by major General Carl A. Spaatz.
Major General Spaatz, combat flier veteran from the First World War, returned in January 1944 again to England and transferred the instruction over the USSTAF, to those the 8th Air Force to Bushy park, Middlesex, renamed was and that now 8. and 15. US Air Force been subordinate.
From outdated or flown off heavy bombers necessary employment equipment should not be removed and be inserted in their place radio receiver and connected with the autopilot. Finally the machines should be loaded with approx. ten tons explosive. The airplane manned with pilot and radio operator should be normally started by the crew and brought on height. As soon as then of a "mother airplane" (leading airplane) from the radio telecontrol was taken over, the crew should leave the aircraft with the parachute, which was then directed by radio into the intended target.
Rapid stepping out of the 2 men crew of the machine proved however as problematic, on the one hand because of the very small hatch lain directly before the engines on the left fuselage side and on the other hand because of the extremely strong current. Therefore at least with some machines the hatch was increased and attached before the hatch a draft deflector.
AZON - beginning only one makeshift
On 20 June 1944 Spaatz informed general Henry H. "Hap" Arnold over the beginning of the project and required to accomplish appropriate tests also in the USA. Thereupon at the test site of the US Air Force in Florida a program under the designation "Weary Willie" was brought into being. It seems to have been only halfheartedly pursued however, since it had hardly effects on the work in England.
The project Aphrodite ordered 23 June 1944 by the USSTAF under the condition that the 8. US Air Force development and testing accomplishes. Directly operational the engineering section concerned with it designated at that time for the testing of the guidable AZON bomb (AZON = azimuth only) radio price increase used as the best suitable. Practically it represented however only one makeshift up to the arrival of special devices from the USA.
Major Henry Rand, the technical expert for the AZON system, received instruction, to leave the AZON equipment in Horsham St. Faith and go after Burton Wood, while three crews trained at the AZON system went to Bovingdon, where the first remote-controlled bomber should be tested.