| KD6G Firefly | |
|---|---|
 KD6G-2 at the Yanks Air Museum | |
| General information | |
| Type | Target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Globe Aircraft Corporation |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| History | |
| First flight | 1951 |
| Retired | c. 1965 |
| Developed from | Globe KD2G Firefly |
TheGlobe KD6G Firefly is an Americantarget drone, built by theGlobe Aircraft Corporation for operation by theUnited States Navy during the 1950s and early 1960s.
The design of the KD6G was based on the earlierGlobe KD2G Firefly target drone, featuring a mid-wing configuration with a twin-finempennage, but instead of apulsejet powerplant as in the KD2G the KD6G was fitted with a singlepiston engine in atractor configuration. Launched via catapult, the KD6G wasradio-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 aMcCullough O-100 engine, and the KD6G-2 with aKiekhaefer 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 theMQM-40A before being retired soon thereafter.[1]
A KD6G-2 is on display at thePima Air & Space Museum;[3] another is at thePlanes of Fame Air Museum.[1]
Data from Parsch[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
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