Douglas T2D

T2D
Douglas T2D-1 of VP-1
Role	Torpedo bomber
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight	27 January 1927
Introduction	1927
Retired	1937
Primary user	United States Navy
Number built	31

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.^[1]

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.^[1] 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,^[1] 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,^[1] and partly as its large size prevented Langley from embarking a full airwing.^[2]

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.^[1]

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 Cyclone. 12 built.

P2D-1

Dedicated patrol floatplane. Fitted with twin tail for improved engine out performance and powered by two R-1820 Cyclones. 18 built.

Operators

 United States

• United States Navy

Specifications (T2D)

Data from The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft ^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: four
• Length: 42 ft (12.80 m)
• Wingspan: 57 ft (17.37 m)
• Height: 15 ft 11 in (4.85 m)
• Wing area: 886 ft² (82.31 m²)
• Empty weight: 6,011 lb (2,726 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 10,523 lb (4,773 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-1750 Cyclone 9-cylinder single row radial, 525 hp (391 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 109 kn (125 mph, 201 km/h)
• Range: 397 nmi (457 mi, 735 km)
• Service ceiling: 13,830 ft (4,215 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (304.8 m/min)
• Wing loading: 12.2 lb/ft² (58.0 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)

Armament

• 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns
• 1 ×1,618 lb (734 kg) torpedo or equivalent bombload

References

1. 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, The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft (pg 118). (1997). Prospero Books. ISBN 1-85605-375-X

External links

• Boeing page for Douglas T2D