Douglas XT3D
| Douglas XT3D | |
|---|---|
 Douglas XT3D-1 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Three-seat torpedo bomber |
National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1931 |
| Retired | 1941 |
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
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The XT3D torpedo bomber (BuNo 8730) first flew in 1931.[1] 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 R-1690 Hornet radial engine,[1] the XT3D had three open cockpits, forward for the gunner/bomb-aimer, center for the pilot, rear for another gunner.[1]
The XT3D failed to meet the United States Navy's requirements and after tests was returned to Douglas.[1] It was modified with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-54 radial, and wheel fairings and the two rear cockpits were enclosed.[1] Re-designated XT3D-2, it still failed to pass U.S. Navy trials and was not ordered into production.[1] The U.S. Navy used the prototype for the next ten years as a general-purpose aircraft until relegating it to use as an instructional airframe in 1941.[1]
Variants
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- XT3D-1
- Prototype powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1690 radial, one built.[1][2]
- XT3D-2
- Prototype modified including a change to a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial.[1][2]
Operators
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Specifications
[edit]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 R-1690 Hornet radial piston engine, 575 hp (429 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 128 mph (206 km/h, 111 kn) at 6000ft (1830m)
- Range: 555 mi (893 km, 482 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 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
[edit]Related lists
References
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- Notes
- 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.