Radioplane OQ-2
Radioplane Company · United States · first flew 1939 · light aircraft
The Radioplane OQ-2 was an American radio-controlled target drone used extensively during World War II to train anti-aircraft gunners. It was the first mass-produced unmanned aircraft in US history.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 2.65 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- American radio-controlled target drone — unmanned
- Small monoplane with two-cylinder engine
- Widely used for anti-aircraft gunnery training in WWII
A very small high-wing monoplane drone with a tiny two-cylinder engine, fixed undercarriage, and simple construction — distinctive by its diminutive size intended for expendable target use.
Specifications
- The Radioplane OQ-2 has a length of 2.65 m (9 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.73 m (12 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 137 km/h (85 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Denny Reginald Denny and produced by the Radioplane Company, the OQ-2 entered service in the early 1940s and thousands were built. Marilyn Monroe (then Norma Jeane) was famously photographed working on OQ-2 production at the Radioplane factory in 1945, launching her modelling career.
Variants
The OQ-2A and OQ-2B were refined variants; the design evolved into the OQ-3 and subsequent target drones.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Army Air Forces and US Navy for anti-aircraft gunnery training throughout World War II and into the post-war period.
Related aircraft
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