Canadian Warplanes 8: Ryan Firebee KD-4A drone
Ryan Firebee KD-4A drone
The RCAF purchased 30 KDA-4 Firebees, which were flown from two specially converted Avro Lancaster Mk. 10DC Drone Carriers from 1956 to 1961. These were used to test the weapons system for the Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck and the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow. The cancellation of the latter brought the drone program to an end as it was no longer needed for the Sparrow II air-to-air missile that would have armed the Arrow. (Wikipedia)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/60f97283d4bde9bdbbd8fa28_Avro-Lancaster-KB851--James-Craik.jpeg)
(RCAF Photo)
Avro Lancaster Mk. 10DC (Serial No. KB851) with Ryan Firebee drone KD-4656, 1962. KB851 and KB848 were the only Lancaster Mk. 10DC's (DC-Drone Carrier). They were coded PX-851 and PX-848 while with CEPE's Air Armament Evaluation Detachment at RCAF Station Cold Lake, Alberta. KB848 had previously served with CEPE at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/60f9728372ed959e7ba72da8_Avro-Lancaster-KB851-Firebee-drone-KD-4656--NDIL-image-PCN-1965.jpeg)
(NDIL image PCN-1965)
Avro Lancaster Mk. 10DC (Serial No. KB851) with Ryan Firebee drone KD-4656.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/60f972829a6f86148d30434a_Avro-Lancaster-KB851-drone-close-up---Mike-Kaehler.jpeg)
(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)
Avro Lancaster with Ryan Firebee drone.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/60f97283ecd197c1cb408b7f_RCAF-Lancaster-with-a-US-Ryan-Firebee-drone--13-June-1958.jpeg)
(Ryan Aeronautical Company Photo via Benoit Thibeault)
Avro Lancaster with Ryan Firebee drone.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/63ed2354c0400236d3d3f1ab_Teledyne-Ryan-Firebee-hatzerim-1.webp)
(Bukvoed Photo)
Teledyne Ryan Firebee UAV (target variant, IDF designation Shadmit) at IAF muzeun, Hatzerim airbase, Israel. 2006.