Culver PQ-14B Cadet
In 1940, the Culver company was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for a target drone aircraft based on their Cadet civilian light aircraft. Designated the PQ-8 it proved to be very successful and led to the development of the slightly larger and faster PQ-14. These all-wood drones were used throughout the United States to train both Army and Navy anti-aircraft gunners. Being descended from a piloted aircraft the PQ-14 could be flown either by remote control or by a pilot. Naturally, pilots never flew the aircraft when they were being shot at from the ground. After the war many of the surviving PQ-14s had the remote-control equipment removed and were sold on the civilian market.
Wingspan  | 30 ft  | 
Length  | 19 ft 6 in.  | 
Height  | 8 ft 5 in.  | 
Weight  | 1,830 lbs (loaded)  | 
Maximum Speed  | 180 MPH  | 
Service Ceiling  | 13,000 ft  | 
Range  | 512 miles   | 
Engine  | One Franklin O-300-11 four-cylinder opposed with 125 horsepower  | 
Crew  | Remote control or 1 pilot  | 
Manufacturer
Culver
Markings
Army Air Force, Biggs AAF, El Paso, Texas 1945
Designation
PQ-14B
Registration
N1063M
Serial Number
44-21819