Culver XPQ-15

American target drone
XPQ-15/XTD3C
Mockup of the XPQ-15
Role Target drone
Type of aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Culver Aircraft Company
First flight 1945
Primary users United States Army Air Forces
United States Navy
Produced 6

The Culver XPQ-15, also known as the XTD3C-1, was an American target drone developed by the Culver Aircraft Company late in World War II.

Design and development

The XPQ-15 was a low-wing monoplane of conventional design. It was powered by a Franklin O-405 opposed piston engine.[1] Design work began in 1943.[2]

Operational history

Four examples of the XPQ-15 were built for evaluation by the United States Army Air Forces in 1945; two additional aircraft were tested by the United States Navy as the XTD3C-1. No production contract was placed.[1]

Variants

XPQ-15
USAAF variant; four produced.[1]
XTD3C-1
USN variant; two produced, BuNos 29665-29666.[3]

Specifications (XPQ-15)

Data from Parsch [1]

  • Powerplant: 1 × Franklin O-405 opposed piston engine, 200 hp (150 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 220 mph (350 km/h, 190 kn)

References

Citations
  1. ^ a b c d Parsch 2009
  2. ^ Mingos 1946, p.318.
  3. ^ Grossnick and Armstrong 1997, p.540.
Bibliography
  • Grossnick, Roy A.; William J. Armstrong (1997). United States Naval Aviation, 1910–1995 (PDF). Annapolis, MD: Naval Historical Center. ISBN 0-16-049124-X. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  • Mingos, Howard (1946). The Aircraft Year Book for 1946. New York: Lanciar Publishers. ASIN B000IDB7CE. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  • Parsch, Andreas (2009). "PQ Series". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2011-02-15.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Culver XPQ-15.
  • Photo of XPQ-15 model in Popular Science
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USAAF/USAF UAV designations 1924–1962, tri-service designations 1962–present
USAAF designations
(1924-1947)
Controllable bombs
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1 Not assigned  • 2 Assigned to a different manufacturer's type
See also: Drones