Grumman F4F Hellcat Drones

As part of Operation Crossroads, Grumman F6F Hellcats were converted to drones to gather data from atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. The tail colors on the brightly painted aircraft indicate different radio guidance frequencies. (Guided by period color photos of the F6Fs, color has been added to this archival black-and-white image.)