Douglas T2D

T2D
Douglas T2D-1 of VP-1
General information
TypeTorpedo bomber
ManufacturerDouglas Aircraft Company
Primary userUnited States Navy
Number built31
History
Introduction date
1927
First flight27 January 1927
Retired1937

The Douglas T2D was an American twin-engined torpedo bomber contracted by the military, and required to be usable on wheels or floats, and operating from aircraft carriers. It was the first twin-engined aircraft to be operated from an aircraft carrier.

Development and design

In 1925, the United States Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics designed a twin-engined torpedo bomber aircraft, intended to have greater performance than contemporary single-engined aircraft. A single prototype was built by the Naval Aircraft Factory as the XTN-1, which was quickly followed by three identical aircraft built by Douglas, the T2D-1.

The XTN/T2D was a large two bay biplane, capable of easy conversion between floats and wheels, and carrying a crew of four.

Operational history

The first three T2D-1's were delivered to the torpedo bomber squadron VT-2 on 25 May 1927, being used for successful trials aboard the aircraft carrier Langley. A further nine T2D-1's were ordered in 1927, these normally being operated as floatplanes, partly owing to criticism from the Army of the Navy operating large land-based bombers, and partly as its large size prevented Langley from embarking a full airwing.

A further 18 aircraft were ordered in June 1930 as patrol floatplanes, being designated P2D-1. These were operated by Patrol Squadron VP-3 in the Panama Canal Zone until they were replaced by Consolidated PBYs in 1937.

Variants

XTN-1 Prototype
XTN-1
Original prototype built by Naval Aircraft Factory. One built.
T2D-1
Production aircraft, convertible torpedo bomber/patrol floatplane, powered by Wright R-1750 Cyclones. 12 built.
P2D-1
Dedicated patrol floatplane. Fitted with twin tail for improved engine out performance and powered by two Wright R-1820 Cyclones. 18 built.

Operators

 United States

Specifications (T2D-1 landplane / floatplane)

Data from McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I

General characteristics

44 ft 4 in (13.51 m) (floatplane)
44 ft 4 in (13.51 m) (floatplane)
6,528 lb (2,961 kg) (floatplane)
10,503 lb (4,764 kg) (floatplane)
11,040 lb (5,010 kg) (floatplane)

Performance

124 mph (108 kn; 200 km/h) at sea level (floatplane)
384 mi (334 nmi; 618 km) (floatplane)
11,400 ft (3,500 m) (floatplane)
5,000 ft (1,500 m) in 7 minutes 42 seconds (floatplane)
11.9 lb/sq ft (58 kg/m2) (floatplane)
0.1 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg) (floatplane)

Armament

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Swanborough, Gordon; Bowers, Peter M. (1976). United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 (Second ed.). London: Putnam. pp. 161–162. ISBN 0-370-10054-9.
  2. ↑ Donald, David (1997). The complete encyclopedia of world aircraft (Reprinted ed.). New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN 9780760705926.
  3. ↑ Francillon, René J. (1988). McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I. London: Naval Institute Press. pp. 91–97. ISBN 0870214284.