Photo By Greg L. Davis | Numerous PQ-14s 'Cadet' aircraft are shown undergoing what appears to be maintenance...... read more read more
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The Culver PQ-14 “Cadet” was an outgrowth of Culvers pre-WWII efforts in to inexpensive general aviation aircraft production. The PQ-14’s predecessor, the PQ-8, was produced specifically as a radio-controlled drone for the Army Air Corps beginning in 1940 when a contract for 200 aircraft was let. These proved so successful a slightly larger version with retractable tricycle landing gear, redesigned cockpit and larger more powerful engine were ordered in huge numbers as the PQ-14A.
According to official Tinker history documents and photographs, the Oklahoma City Air Depot conducted maintenance, repair and overhaul of the aircraft which was constructed of all-wood, except for the rudder which had a metal frame covered in fabric. The Franklin engine was a six-cylinder, air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine creating150 horse power.
The drones were primarily used during and after WWII for aerial and anti-aircraft gunnery training and wore a vibrant red paint scheme to aid in target identification by pilots and gunners.
The PQ-14 was manned by a single pilot usually, but had two seats. Manned operations were conducted for training and ferry flights while the aircraft was flown by radio remote-control when acting as a target.
The ‘Cadet’ was so successful in its role it was also purchased by the Army Air Corps for the U.S. Navy which designated it the TD2C-1. The Navy purchased 1,201 TD2C-1s.
Manufacturer: Culver
Aircraft type: PQ-14
Nickname: Cadet
Crew: 1 ferry pilot (or unmanned)
Power plant: One Franklin O-300 piston engine
In-service dates: 1942-1946
Number produced: 2043
Tinker connection: Maintenance, repair and overhaul
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2017 16:30 |
| Story ID: | 221543 |
| Location: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 348 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Tinker Celebrates 75 Years: Culver PQ-14 Cadet aircraft profile, by Greg L. Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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