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Interstate TDR-1

18.8k Zippy6  6.3 years ago

The precursor to today's Predator drones, the Interstate TDR-1 was the world fist attack drone and not a cruise missile as some sources will state (cruise missiles are autonomous). The secret to the TDR-1 was its wireless TV camera located in the nose. This allowed a pilot in a separate operating station, be it a tent or a modified TBF Avenger, to control this drone from up to 5 miles away! Vision would have been provided by a 5in TV display. Given a target of good size and or definition (the screen was a grainy black and white) this drone was fairly accurate. No lives were lost on the Americans side during operations. Normal controls.
Press Ag1 after takeoff if you are not planned on returning to base ;)
Find more more information here:
Background history: http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=tdr
Combat footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RQcUtzAe98

This aircraft is 100% to scale and is one of the best aircraft I have ever built. P.S I have built an armed A.I target drone version if you would like to dogfight it (Check the successors)!

General Characteristics

  • Created On Windows
  • Wingspan 50.6ft (15.4m)
  • Length 35.9ft (11.0m)
  • Height 13.8ft (4.2m)
  • Empty Weight 7,024lbs (3,186kg)
  • Loaded Weight 7,888lbs (3,578kg)

Performance

  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.088
  • Wing Loading 23.8lbs/ft2 (116.4kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 331.0ft2 (30.8m2)
  • Drag Points 5754

Parts

  • Number of Parts 121
  • Control Surfaces 5
  • Performance Cost 482