MFG: Globe Aircraft
Built In: Fort Worth, TX
First Flight: 1951
Powerplant: Kiekhaefer V-105-2
Service Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Top Speed: 265 mph
Wingspan: 11’ 6”
Endurance: 1 hour
Length: 11’ 6”
Number Built: unknown
The Firefly was used extensively by the United States Navy, under the new designation MQM-40A, during the 1950’s in both surface-to-air and air-to-air gunnery training. Launched by catapult (ground) and recovered by parachute, this mid-wing, twin-fin tailed, radio controlled drone was one of Globe Aircraft Companies most successful endeavors and was built in “substantial” though unknown numbers.
Powered by the Keikhaefer piston driven engine, this target drone was the modern variant of the KD2G and KD5G Firefly. The earlier variants were powered by the Solar pulsejet engine, it was mounted externally above the fuselage like the V-1 Buzz Bomb. By the late 1940’s the pulsejet engine was abandon due to its altitude restriction and the new speed requirements. This drone was tested NAS Point Mugu, Ca.
