CADET

Manufacturer:

CULVER

Markings:

Army Air Force, Biggs AAF, El Paso, Texas 1945

Designation:

PQ-14B

Registration:

N1063M

Serial Number:

44-21819

CULVER PQ-14B CADET

In 1940, the Culver Company was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for a target drone aircraft based on their Cadet civilian light aircraft. Designated the PQ-8 it proved to be very successful and led to the development of the slightly larger and faster PQ-14. These all-wood drones were used throughout the United States to train both Army and Navy anti-aircraft gunners. Being descended from a piloted aircraft the PQ-14 could be flown either by remote control or by a pilot. Naturally, pilots never flew the aircraft when they were being shot at from the ground. After the war many of the surviving PQ-14s had the remote control equipment removed and sold on the civilian market.

Specifications

  • Wingspan: 30 ft
  • Length: 19 ft 6 in
  • Height: 8 ft 5 in
  • Weight: 1,830 lbs (loaded)
  • Max. Speed: 180 mph
  • Service Ceiling: 13,000 ft
  • Range: 512 miles
  • Engines: 1 Franklin O-300-11 four cylinder opposed with 125 hp
  • Crew: Remote control or 1 pilot