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The Globe KDG Snipe was an American target drone, built by the Globe Aircraft Corporation for use by the United States Navy. The KDG, and its modified version, the KD3G Snipe, served between 1946 and the early 1950s.

KDG/KD3G Snipe
Role	Target drone Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Globe Aircraft Corporation
First flight	1946
Retired	c.1954
Primary user	United States Navy
Developed into	Globe KD2G Firefly

Design and development

The KDG Snipe was a small, mid-winged target drone,[1] operated by radio control. The Snipe was designed to be launched by use of a catapult system; if the aircraft was not destroyed during its mission, it would deploy a parachute for recovery.[2] The KDG was powered by a McCulloch 4300 two-stroke engine; an improved version, designated KD3G, was powered by a 30 horsepower (22 kW) Kiekhaefer O-45 opposed piston engine.[2]

Operational history

The Snipe entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1946; the KDG had been retired from service by 1950. The improved KD3G model remained in service through the early 1950s.[2]

Variants

KDG-1

Basic model with McCulloch 4300 engine.[2]

KDG-2

KDG-1 with 24-volt electrical system.[1]

KD3G-1

KDG-1 with Kiekhaefer O-45-35 engine.[2][3]

KD3G-2

KD3G-1 with 28-volt electrical system.[3]

Specifications (KD3G-2)

Data from Parsch[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: None (target drone)
• Powerplant: 1 × Kiekhaefer O-45-35 opposed piston engine, 35 hp (26 kW)

Avionics

• AN/ARW-26Y radio control system

References

Citations

Bibliography

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