Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones
OQ-6
Copyright © 2003 Andreas Parsch

Radioplane OQ-6

In November 1944, Radioplane completed their model RP-14, which was evaluated by the USAAF as the OQ-6. The OQ-6 was more powerful than Radioplane's contemporary OQ-3, reaching a speed of 270 km/h (168 mph) with its 16 kW (22 hp) Righter O-45 four-cylinder engine. The model RP-15, first flown in January 1945 and most likely designated OQ-6A, had a 44 kW (60 hp) McCulloch O-90 engine, and could reach a speed of 313 km/h (195 mph).

Photo: Northrop
OQ-6


Production orders for the OQ-6 were cancelled at the end of World War II, but a few OQ-6s remained in the USAF in 1948 for use as experimental target drones. As such they were designated XOQ-6A.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for OQ-6, OQ-6A:

 OQ-6OQ-6A
Length3 m (10 ft)
Wingspan4.3 m (14 ft)
Weight134 kg (295 lb)?
Speed270 km/h (168 mph)313 km/h (195 mph)
PropulsionRighter O-45 piston engine; 16 kW (22 hp) McCulloch O-90 piston engine; 44 kW (60 hp)

Main Sources

[1] Richard A. Botzum: "50 Years of Target Drone Aircraft", Northrop, 1985
[2] US Army Air Forces: "Army Aircraft Model Designations", 1946


Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 1





Last Updated: 18 March 2003