Reginald Denny and Walter H. RighterRadioplane in the Navy
TDD-1, USS New York. Sep., 1943 Photo : http://www.edrington.com/uss_new_york.htm - Click Image to Enlarge
http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app1/oq-14.html Following the success of the RP-4, the prototype RP-5 was completed in June 1941, and tested by the USAAF as the A-2 powered aerial target. In that same month, the designation A-2 was changed to OQ-2... The OQ-2B was identical to the OQ-2A, except that the wing ribs had holes for a slightly lighter structure. The Navy's TDD-1 was an OQ-2 without the landing gear.
Navy Radioplane OQ-2 drones named as 'TDD's, Feb. 26, 1943 Document : Denny Family Archives Download a 750 pixel image
TDD-1, USS New York. Sep., 1943 Photo : http://www.edrington.com/uss_new_york.htm - Click Image to Enlarge Download a 1000 pixel image
Gun crew, USS New York. Sep., 1943 Photo : http://www.edrington.com/uss_new_york.htm - Click Image to Enlarge Download a 1000 pixel image
Gun crew, USS New York. Sep., 1943 Photo : http://www.edrington.com/uss_new_york.htm - Click Image to Enlarge Download a 1000 pixel image
TDD-1, Shock Cord Launcher Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
Drones were usually retrieved from the ocean by another AVR or sometimes smaller pick up boats. Catapult launch and parachute landing systems made the use of these drones practical because no large smooth area was necessary for operation.
63' AVR boat Photo : http://www.enter.net/~rocketeer/ - Click Image to Enlarge
During WW-2 the drones were kept and maintained there. Even without freeways, it was a relatively short drive from there to Newport Beach. The drones were trucked to Newport Harbor and loaded aboard 63 foot AVR boats from which they were launched for naval target practice from ships off of San Clemente Island. Later the navy relocated the drone base to Point Mugu, or Port Hueneme, CA
TDD-2 The OQ-3, first flown in December 1943, was an improved derivative of the OQ-2. It had a sturdier steel-tube construction in the fuselage, an uprated O-15-3 engine driving a single propeller, no landing gear, and modified equipment. The OQ-3 could achieve a speed of 165 km/h (102 mph). The U.S. Navy variant was designated TDD-2
TDD-2, USS Wyoming, May 9, 1945 This is the original format the following images came in Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2, USS Wyoming, May 9, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2, USS Miami, Mch 2, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 TDD-2, USS Miami, Mch 2, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
With the next 8 images positive identification of the motor and tell tale carburettor mounded on top (O-45-1) is difficult hence the Ed. is unsure whether the drones are TDD-2s or TDD-3s
TDD-2 / TDD-3? National Geographic - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3?, Preparation for launch Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3?, Shot down, Oct.1, 1945 "Small Target Drone Aircraft Falling in flames, after being shot down by USS Makin Island (CVE-93) during gunnery practice off Wakanoura, Japan, 1 October 1945." Source: www.history.navy.mil - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3?, Shot down, Oct.1, 1945 "Small Target Drone Aircraft Falling in flames, after being shot down by USS Makin Island (CVE-93) during gunnery practice off Wakanoura, Japan, 1 October 1945." Source: www.history.navy.mil - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3? USS Wisconsin, Mch. 15, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3? USS Wisconsin, Mch. 15, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3? USS Wisconsin, Mch. 15, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-2 / TDD-3? USS Cape Gloucester, Jun. 8, 1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
TDD-3 / TDD-4 The RP-8 was first flown in July 1944. It was of heavier construction and had a more powerful O-45-1 engine, rated at 16 kW (22 hp). Compared to the OQ-3, the RP-8A also had a longer fuselage, a shorter wingspan, and wings set flush with the fuselage. The improvements increased the top speed to 225 km/h (140 mph). The RP-8 was designated OQ-14 by the Army Air Force and TDD-3 by the Navy. The designation TDD-4 referred to a TDD-3 variant with a more powerful O-45-35 engine.
TDD-3, launch Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click Image to Enlarge Download a 1000 pixel image
TDD-3, recovery Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click Image to Enlarge Download a 1000 pixel image
TDD-3, USNAS Whitbey, Washington, c.1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge Download a 1500 pixel image
TDD-3, USNAS Whitbey, Washington, c.1945 Navy Archives - Click Image to Enlarge
|
© Copyright 1999-2005 CTIE - All Rights Reserved - Caution |