Douglas T2D
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| T2D | |
|---|---|
 Douglas T2D-1 of VP-1 |
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| Type | Torpedo bomber |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Maiden flight | 27 January 1927 |
| Introduced | 1927 |
| Retired | 1937 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 31 |
The Douglas T2D was an American twin engine bomber aircraft 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]
Contents |
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 USS Langley. A further 9 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 the 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 PBYs in 1937. [1]
[edit] Variants
- 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. Twelve built.
- P2D-1
- Dedicated patrol floatplane. Fitted with twin tail for improved engine out performance and powered by two R-1820 Cyclones. 18 built.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (DT-2)
Data from The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Four
- Length: 42 ft 0 in (12.80 m)
- Wingspan: 57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
- Height: 15 ft 11 in (4.85 m)
- Wing area: 886 sq ft (82.31 sq m)
- Empty weight: 6,011 lb (2726 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,523 lb (4773 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1750 Cyclone 9 cylinder single row radial, 525 hp (391 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 109 knots (201 km/h, 125 mph)
- Range: 397 nm (735 km, 457 miles)
- Service ceiling 13,830 ft (4215 m)
- Wing loading: 12.2 lb/ft² (58.0 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)
- Climb to 5,000 ft (1,520 m): 5 minutes [1]
Armament
- 2 x 7.62 mm (0.3 in) machine guns
- 1 1,618 lb (734 kg) torpedo or bomb(s)
[edit] References
- ^ a b Donald, David, The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft (pg 118). (1997). Prospero Books. ISBN 1-85605-375-X
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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