R-KITTY WANTED

and other stuff up in the air
Joe Gopan
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R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue May 11, 2010 6:34 pm

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.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


Joe Gopan
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:20 pm

Still looking for an R-KITTY.
Got cash or Rare NOS MB & M-38 Jeep parts to trade.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu May 17, 2012 6:48 pm

Cash or Trade Rare NOS M-38 and M-37 Sheetmetal for R-Kitty.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

helicrazy
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by helicrazy » Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:11 am

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.

Joe Gopan
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:28 am

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.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:05 am

Still like to have an R-Kitty, cash, or trade for rare CCKW parts such as CCKW Heater Kit.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:36 pm

Still looking, Here Kitty, Kitty. Have NOS rare Jeep and CCKW parts to trade, cash, too.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Wolfman
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Wolfman » Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:09 am

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.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Joe Gopan
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:21 am

R-Kitty (420x540).jpg
R-Kitty (420x540).jpg (160.58 KiB) Viewed 9805 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.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:52 am

Pics added.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Wolfman
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Wolfman » Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:24 am

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.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Joe Gopan
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:27 am

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.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Wolfman
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Wolfman » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:01 am

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.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:35 pm

Here Kitty, Kitty!
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Wolfman
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Re: R-KITTY WANTED

Post by Wolfman » Sat Aug 23, 2014 5:32 am

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.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB


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