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R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:34 pm
by Joe Gopan
R-KITTY was the training version of the MC Culloch powered R-Cat Drone used by AA Artillery units for target practice. The R-Kitty was used to keep operators of the full sized R-Cat profficient when not at the target ranges. The R-Kitty had an approximate 4' wingspan and was powered by a Fox-59 Model Airplane Engine
I am looking for a complete R-Kitty for display.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:20 pm
by Joe Gopan
Still looking for an R-KITTY.
Got cash or Rare NOS MB & M-38 Jeep parts to trade.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 6:48 pm
by Joe Gopan
Cash or Trade Rare NOS M-38 and M-37 Sheetmetal for R-Kitty.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:11 am
by helicrazy
I have an R Kitty Target Drone. It is missing the Fox .59 motor and Tube Receiver. I have pictures of it on my Facebook page. Luke Akemon

I bought it in 1975 in Biloxi Mississippi when I was stationed there for Electronics training for the AirForce.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:28 am
by Joe Gopan
Still looking for the Radio Controlled "R-KITTY" Drone Trainer. These were powered by a Fox 59 Model Airplane Engine and used to train those who were assigned to operate R-CAT Drones.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:05 am
by Joe Gopan
Still like to have an R-Kitty, cash, or trade for rare CCKW parts such as CCKW Heater Kit.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:36 pm
by Joe Gopan
Still looking, Here Kitty, Kitty. Have NOS rare Jeep and CCKW parts to trade, cash, too.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:09 am
by Wolfman
You have a picture of an R-Kitty, Joel ?
I did a web search and scored 0.
Found several drones, some that looked like oversized model airplanes but nothing called an R-Kitty.
I have a Mac 72 hp engine and prop I had on a Benson gyrocopter several years ago. probably fit an R-cat but that is more than a little too big for what you are looking for.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:21 am
by Joe Gopan
R-Kitty (420x540).jpg
R-Kitty (420x540).jpg (160.58 KiB) Viewed 9830 times
This is the R-Kitty. It is unique and was designed to train R-CAT Drone Operators to maintain their proficiency. The Army National Guard AAA units used these to train on in between their annual training duty. I would like to add one to my collection. Many of these ended up in the hands of those who used them and I am chasing obituaries in the hopes of finding one.

The R-Kitty used a Fox-59 Model airplane engine and had a wingspan of approximately 4 feet.
Am positive that there is an R-Kitty or two lurking in some former R-Cat Officer's or R-Cat Mechanics attic. The Army discontinued the FSN for the R-Kitty from inventory in the mid 50's and notified N.G. AAA units that they could have all they wanted.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:52 am
by Joe Gopan
Pics added.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:24 am
by Wolfman
My Dad had a model plane similar to this, but that is not it.
I think he built it. About the same size, maybe a little larger with a single piston model airplane engine similar to this.
Made of wood and some kind of paper cover. Not aircraft fabric.
Not sure what happened to the airframe but the engine and prop are still in his upstairs closet at his house.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:27 am
by Joe Gopan
The R-Kitty was developed for the Army by Aero Lab of Passadena CA and bought ready to fly on a Govt contract and is not one of the kits from the model airplane hobby, it is Radio Controlled and is released from its' dolley during a tethered circular take off. Note the skid rails on the bottom of the fuselage. It simulates the operation of the larger R-Cat Drone and is used to keep the drone controller proficient when not at the actual firing range. The National Guard AAA units used a lot of these in the 50's. Am looking for manuals as well as the R-Kitty. The FSN for this item would also be appreciated.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:01 am
by Wolfman
The aircraft Dad built was more like a mini homebuilt. Not a kit. He built it from scratch and I am thinking in the early 40's before he graduted from high school and joined the Navy as a radio operator on a PBY.
I am not sure how it was controlled. He was always into electronics. Dad had a 1st Class Radio Repairmans license and had an Extra Class Ham Radio Operator License (AA9LT) so the airplane could have been radio controlled. ??
I would love to ask him about it but, too late for that.

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:35 pm
by Joe Gopan
Here Kitty, Kitty!

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 5:32 am
by Wolfman
Have you tried any other sites ?
Maybe contact some of the Military Aviation Museums like Wright Patterson in Dayton,Ohio. They have annex buildings full of all kind of things. Have not been there in a while but they have storage (Annex) hangers with more things than the main display hangers.
You might try E.A.A. at Oshkosh, Wi. They have buildings full as well. They have even made an effort to try to sell some of the stuff. Most of it donated to the museum.