Douglas XT3D

Douglas XT3D
Douglas XT3D-1
Role	Three-seat torpedo bomber
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight	1931
Retired	1941
Primary user	United States Navy
Number built	1

The Douglas XT3D was an American three-seat torpedo bomber biplane developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company to meet a United States Navy requirement.^[1]

Development

The XT3D-1 with one wing folded.

The XT3D torpedo bomber (BuNo 8730) was first flown in 1931, it has been described as a large and ugly aircraft.^[1] Of metal construction with a fabric covering the XT3D had folding wings and an arrestor hook for carrier operation.^[1] With a fixed tailwheel landing gear and powered by a Pratt & Whitney S2B1-G Hornet radial engine.^[1] The XT3D had three open cockpits, forward for the gunner/bomb-aimer, centre for the pilot and a rear cockpit for another gunner.^[1]

The XT3D failed to meet the naval requirements and after tests was returned to Douglas.^[1] It was modified with bigger engine, a Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-54 radial, wheel fairings and the two rear cockpits were enclosed.^[1] Re-designated the XT3D-2 it still failed to pass navy test and was not ordered into production.^[1] The prototype was used by the Navy for the next ten years for general purpose use until it was relegated as an instructional airframe in 1941.^[1]

Variants

The XT3D-2 in January 1933.

XT3D-1

Prototype powered by a Pratt & Whitney S2B1-G Hornet radial engine, one built.^[1][2]

XT3D-2

Prototype modifed including a change to a Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-54 radial engine.^[1][2]

Operators

 United States

• United States Navy

Sepcifications

Data from ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 3 (pilot, bomb-aimer/gunner, gunner
• Length: 35 ft 5 in (10.80 m)
• Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
• Height: 13 ft 2.5 in (4.026 m)
• Wing area: 624 sq ft (58.0 m²)
• Empty weight: 4,238 lb (1,922 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 7,857 lb (3,564 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney S2B1-G Hornet radial piston engine, 575 hp (429 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 128 mph (206 km/h; 111 kn) at 6000ft (1830m)
• Range: 555 mi (482 nmi; 893 km)
• Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,267 m)

Armament

• Guns: 2 × 0.3in (7.62mm) machine-gun (flexible mounted on forward and rear cockpits)
• Bombs: 1835lb (832kG) torpedo or equivalent in bombs

See also

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
  

References

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Orbis 1985, p. 1578
2. ^ ^{a b} Andrade 1979, p. 224

Bibliography

• Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9. 
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.