A World War II drone aircraft – called radioplanes in those days – has taken its place in the Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks. Radioplanes were controlled by radio like today’s model planes. They were used by anti-aircraft pilots and gunners for training and target practice. The drone, an Army OQ-2, was donated by the late Jon Aldridge and is one of only four or five originals still in existence. It was in storage at the museum at 2305 East Kearney until last January when veteran Gene Putman took it to his home shop in Fordland to begin restoration.
Putman explained that the OQ-2 was a simple fabric covered aircraft, powered by a Righter two-cycle piston engine that provided seven horsepower and drove two contra-rotating propellers. Launch was from a catapult or conventional runway, and recovery was either by runway or parachute. It could fly for an hour and had a top speed of 90 mph. “It weighs 108 pounds with fuel and battery. The fabric makes it light,” said Putman.
He added that when the parachute is deployed, a latch opens a spring-loaded door (on top) containing the parachute which flips the ignition switch to kill the engine. Putman replaced the fabric on wings, control surfaces and fuselage. He fabricated missing components that could not be located, then painted it the original bright red with white on the wing’s top side. The aircraft is for display only so no fuel or oil will be added.
“This plane was the first of the drones and they have progressed into what we have today,” Putman said, adding that the museum has a later version called the OQ-19 that’s all metal. “It was used later like in the Korean War and afterward in the ‘60s. The later one was made by McCulloch and has a four-cylinder engine. It could fly at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour.” Veteran Tom Johnson said the plane was placed in a prominent place, visible right after people come into the museum.
Story and photos: http://www.news-leader.com
About the museum
What: Museum projects include attending aircraft shows, restoration of vintage military equipment and a program of true history and science for young students called Museum School.
Location: 2305 East Kearney Street, Springfield, MO
Hours: The museum is open from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Admission: Adults $5; kids age 6-12, $3, five and under free. Birthday parties are available as are special rates for groups of 10 or more by appointment. Also donations are appreciated.
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