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
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.
Bombs: *1 ×1,618 lb (734 kg)
torpedoor equivalent bombload
References
^
abcdeSwanborough, Gordon; Bowers, Peter M. (1976). United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 (Second ed.). London: Putnam. pp. 161–162.
ISBN0-370-10054-9.
^Donald, David (1997). The complete encyclopedia of world aircraft (Reprinted ed.). New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Books.
ISBN9780760705926.
^Francillon, René J. (1988). McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I. London: Naval Institute Press. pp. 91–97.
ISBN0870214284.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Douglas T2D.