McDonnell ADM-20C "Quail"

Serving "on display" at K I Sawyer is tail number 61-0414

The ADM-20 Quail (GAM-72) was an aerial decoy missile, intended to confuse enemy radar. It was designed to be similar to the B-52 Stratofortress in terms of radar return and flight characteristics; however, since its design in the mid-to-late 50's, radar's ability to discriminate between the Quail and an actual B-52 improved dramatically, to the point where radar operators were able to identify B-52s 21 out of 23 times. The Quail was retired in 1978. At its peak in 1963 there were 492 Quails in service with SAC. In total 616 missiles were produced.

Lineage

ADM-20C(GAM-72A), “Quail” s/n 61-0414

Manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft, St. Louis MO and gained by the USAF on 20 Sep 1961.

Sep 1961 To 11^th Bombardment (Heavy) Wing (Strategic Air Command), Altus AFB OK

Apr 1963 To Oklahoma City Air Logistics Area, Tinker AFB OK (to GAM-72B)

Dec 1963 To 456^th Strategic Aerospace Wing (SAC), Beale AFB CA (to ADM-20C)

Oct 1975 To 17^th Bombardment (H) Wing (SAC), Beale AFB

Jul 1976 To 410^th Bombardment (H) Wing (SAC), K. I. Sawyer AFB MI

Oct 1978 Dropped from inventory by transfer to museum status.

Placed on permanent static display on K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI

Specifications

ADM-20C “Quayle” Air Launched Unmanned Decoy

Span: 5 ft 5 in

Length: 12 ft 11 in

Height: 3 ft 4 in

Weight: 1200 lb

Engine: General Electric J85-GE-7 turbo-jet; 2450 lb

Performance

Speed: Mach 0.95

Range: 350 nm

Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft

This aerial decoy is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

More Pictures

ADM-20C(GAM-72A), “Quail” s/n 61-0414

Manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft, St. Louis MO and gained by the USAF on 20 Sep 1961.

Sep 1961 To 11th Bombardment (Heavy) Wing (Strategic Air Command), Altus AFB OK