Category:JD-1

The JD-1s were operated well into the 1960s by US Navy utility squadrons as target tugs, drone directors, and general utility aircraft. Those that were modified as drone directors were redesignated JD-1D. Some sources claim that only 7 Utility Squadrons used the JD-1, however, my research has uncovered that there were 8 Utility Squadrons (VU-1, VU-2, VU-3, VU-4, VU-5, VU-7, VU-9, & VU-10). There were also 4 test squadrons that used them (VX-1, VX-2, NAMTC Point Mugu, & VX-5).

In 1962, the surviving JD-1s were redesignated UB-26J in accordance with the new Tri-Service designation system. The JD-1D drone directors became DB-26J.

The US Navy also used sub-variants designated JD-1X and JD-1DX, but as of this writing I have not been able to determine the difference between these planes and the standard JD-1 and JD-1D.