Radioplane OQ-2A Radio-Controlled Aerial Target
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 41° 09.750 W 112° 01.106
12T E 414558 N 4557296
This Static Aircraft Display of a Radioplane OQ-2A Radio-Controlled Aerial Target is inside the Hill Aerospace Museum located on the northwest corner of Hill Air Force Base at 7961 Wardleigh Road in Riverdale, Utah.
Waymark Code: WMGZXY
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 04/29/2013
Views: 3
Radioplane OQ-2A
Radio-Controlled
Aerial Target
Span: 13'3" Length: 8'8" Height: 2'8"
Weight: 108 lbs Crew: None Armament: None
Engine: One 0-15-1 Two Cylinder, Air-Cooled
Simultaneously Firing Two Cycle of 6 hp
Max Speed: 90 mph
During the mid-1930's, radio-controlled model aircraft had become the basis for the training of anti-aircraft gunners. The Radioplane Company of California developed several variations of an original design by former actor and modeller Reginald Denny in 1935. One version, the OQ-2A, was successful enough to generate contracts for almost 1000 targets in 1943. The aircraft was launched from a catapult and recovered by a 24' parachute. A controller would fly the plane from the ground by means of a "beep box", so named because of the tones transmitted to the plane's control system. A skilled controller could duplicate fighter attacks for training in all anti-aircraft calibers up to 40mm. While live ammunition was used in training, the OQ-2A proved to be a difficult target to hit. This particular aircraft was donated to the museum by Utah State University.