page 89 



DRONE BOAT PREPARED FOR OPERATION. 



Radio-controlled drone boats, like drone planes, 

 had an important function at the Bikini tests. 

 Guided by radio pulses received on the tiny an- 

 tenna mounted in its bow the drone boat acted 

 as an automatic monitor, moving throughout the 

 lagoon collecting water samples and radioing back 

 data of their radioactivity. The drones were con- 



trolled by transmitters aboard the "Begor." Spot- 

 ting assistance was provided by planes circling 

 above the lagoon. Shown above is the smoke-mak- 

 ing apparatus used to assist the planes in following 

 the drone's course. The cylinders emitted a yellow- 

 ish-green smoke which had good visibility from 

 the air. These drones became very "hot" radio- 

 actively, particularly after Test Baker. 



