The Globe KD6G Firefly is an American target drone, built by the Globe Aircraft Corporation for operation by the United States Navy during the 1950s and early 1960s.
KD6G Firefly | |
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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 |
The design of the KD6G was based on the earlier Globe KD2G Firefly target drone, featuring a mid-wing configuration with a twin-fin empennage, but instead of a pulsejet powerplant as in the KD2G the KD6G was fitted with a single piston engine in a tractor configuration. Launched via catapult, the KD6G was radio-controlled during flight, and, if it was not shot down in the course of its mission, would be recovered via parachute.[1]
First flying in prototype form in 1951, the KD6G proved successful and was ordered into production in two forms, the KD6G-1 with a McCullough O-100 engine, and the KD6G-2 with a Kiekhaefer V-105 powerplant.[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 the MQM-40A before being retired soon thereafter.[1]
A KD6G-2 is on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum;[3] another is at the Planes of Fame Air Museum.[1]
Data from Parsch[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists