22. The Kettering Bug flew successfully on October 28, 1919
On October 28, the last remaining Kettering Bug was placed on its sled on the launch rails. It had been built from the parts left over from the failures of its predecessors. The rev counter was set for the desired distance of the flight. The engine was started, revved to the correct speed and the Bug shuttled down the rails. A moment later it was aloft. The technicians watched it climb to its assigned altitude, level off, and head into the distance on a straight line in the direction of its target. The aircraft flew in a line for just over 16 miles, maintaining its settings. Then the rev count was reached. The cam rolled as designed, the fuel supply was cut off, and the engine died.
As its engine sputtered to a halt the Bug’s wings were released, folding backward, and the fuselage began its dive to the ground. It crashed more or less, upon its intended target, well within the designed margin of error. In other words, it was a complete and unqualified success. No remaining Kettering Bugs were available, and the Army had no intention of purchasing more, given the restricted budgets of peacetime and the general demobilization still underway at the time. It had been the best performance yet achieved by the Kettering Bug in flight. It was also the last. The idea remained alive in the minds of many involved in its development.