In 1945, Radioplane created the Model RP-19 by replacing the O-45 engine in the OQ-17 target with a higher-rated O-90 engine. The RP-19 was tested by the USAAF as the YOQ-19 in July 1945, and ordered into production in 1946 as the OQ-19A. The OQ-19A had a metal fuselage and wooden wings (later OQ-19As would use metal wings). Like all following members of the family, it could be launched from a catapult launcher, a rotary launcher, or from a zero-length launcher with the aid of a 2,160 lb. (9.6 kN) thrust solid-fueled booster rocket. The Air Force drones could also be air-launched, usually from DB-26C aircraft. The OQ-19s were controlled from the ground by a radio command link, which used an AN/URW-3 transmitter and an AN/ARW-26AY receiver. Recovery was by parachute, which was deployed by radio command or automatically after loss of vital systems. The OQ-19C was a derivative of the OQ-19A, which had metal wings from the beginning and a significantly modified vertical tail without a rudder. The OQ-19C used the same O-90 engine as the OQ-19A.