Antedating of "drone" (noun)

[Hugo]

drone, remote-control pilotless aircraft/missile (OED: 25th June 1946)

Popular Science Monthly, 1st February 1946, "Doom on the Wing", James L.H. Peak:
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Such tests and subsequent research led to the perfection of radio-control methods that
permitted fliers to guide larger "drones," and even Fortress and Liberator bombers, from
mother planes.
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http://books.google.com/books?id=2yADAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA87&pg=PA87#v=onepage&q=drones&f=false

This is in the "February" issue. According to the January issue's classified section, the
February issue was due on sale February 1st.

Hugo

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