Globe KD6G Firefly
| KD6G Firefly | |
|---|---|
| |
| KD6G-2 at the Yanks Air Museum | |
| Role | Target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Globe Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 1951 |
| Retired | c. 1965 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Developed from | Globe KD2G Firefly |
TheGlobe KD6G Fireflyis an Americantarget drone,built by theGlobe Aircraft Corporationfor operation by theUnited States Navyduring the 1950s and early 1960s.
Design and development[edit]
The design of the KD6G was based on the earlierGlobe KD2G Fireflytarget drone, featuring a mid-wing configuration with a twin-finempennage,but instead of apulsejetpowerplant as in the KD2G the KD6G was fitted with a singlepiston enginein atractorconfiguration. Launched via catapult, the KD6G wasradio-controlledduring flight, and, if it was not shot down in the course of its mission, would be recovered via parachute.[1]
Operational history[edit]
First flying in prototype form in 1951, the KD6G proved successful and was ordered into production in two forms, the KD6G-1 with aMcCullough O-100engine, and the KD6G-2 with aKiekhaefer V-105powerplant.[1]Used extensively by the United States Navy during the 1950s in the gunnery training role, the KD6G-2 was redesignated in 1963 in the new unified missile sequence, becoming theMQM-40Abefore being retired soon thereafter.[1]
Variants[edit]
- XKD6G-1
- Prototype with McCullogh O-100-1 engine[1]
- KD6G-1
- Production version of XKD6G-1[2]
- KD6G-2
- Production version with Kiekhaefer V-105-2 engine[2]
- XQM-40A
- Initial redesignation of KD6G-2[1]
- MQM-40A
- Final redesignation of KD6G-2[1]
Aircraft on display[edit]
A KD6G-2 is on display at thePima Air & Space Museum;[3]another is at thePlanes of Fame Air Museum.[1]
Specifications (KD6G-2)[edit]
Data fromParsch[1]
General characteristics
- Crew:None
- Length:11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
- Wingspan:11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
- Height:1 ft 7 in (0.48 m)
- Powerplant:1 ×Kiekhaefer V-105-2 piston engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed:265 mph (426 km/h, 230 kn)
- Endurance:60 min
See also[edit]
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
Bibliography[edit]
- Fahey, James Charles(1958).The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet(7th ed.). Washington, DC: Ships and Aircraft Publishers.ISBN9780870216466.
- Parsch, Andreas (2002)."Globe MQM-40 Firefly".Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles.designation-systems.net.Retrieved2013-02-13.