<p>A U.S. Air Force Teledyne Ryan AQM-34L <i>Firebee</i> (s/n 69-6082) reconnaissane drone on display at the National Museum of the USAF. This UAV was damaged by a North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile and landed in the sea off North Vietnam. The AQM-34L was recovered by a U.S. Navy ship but had been damaged by salt water beyond economical repair. During restoration, some missing parts were replaced to complete the 69-6082 for display. <br></p>
The AQM-34L’s nickname, “M.R. Ling,” is a pun on the last name of Lt. Col. Edwin G. Emerling, who was involved with the drone’s early combat missions. It was customary to nickname a drone after its fifth mission.
USAF
2005-03-23
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/index.asp">National Museum of the U.S. Air Force</a> photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/050323-F-1234P-026.jpg">050323-F-1234P-026</a>