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 were sold on the civilian market.
Wingspan | 30 ft |
Length | 19 ft 6 in. |
Height | 8 ft 5 in. |
Weight | 1,830 lbs (loaded) |
Maximum Speed | 180 MPH |
Service Ceiling | 13,000 ft |
Range | 512 miles |
Engine | One Franklin O-300-11 four-cylinder opposed with 125 horsepower |
Crew | Remote control or 1 pilot |
Manufacturer
Culver
Markings
Army Air Force, Biggs AAF, El Paso, Texas 1945
Designation
PQ-14B
Registration
N1063M
Serial Number
44-21819