BTD Destroyer file photo [18447]

BTD Destroyer

CountryUnited States
ManufacturerDouglas Aircraft Company
Primary RoleTorpedo Bomber
Maiden Flight8 April 1943

Contributor:

ww2dbaseAircraft designer Ed Heinemann of the Douglas Aircraft Company of the United States led the team that completed the BTD Destroyer torpedo/dive bomber design, which was commissioned by the United States Navy in Jun 1941 to replace the SBD Dauntless and SB2C Helldiver designs currently in use. The prototype aircraft, designated XSB2D-1, took flight in Apr 1943, and deliveries to the US Navy began in Jun 1944. The US Navy originally ordered 358 examples from Douglas, but the contract was canceled when the Pacific War ended. Only 26 production examples were delivered. Including the two additional prototypes built in 1944 (XBTD-2 prototype turbojet aircraft), only 30 examples of this design were built between 1943 and 1945, and none of them saw combat. All of them were retired from service by the end of 1945.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: Jun 2013

BTD Destroyer Timeline

20 Jun 1941 US Navy placed a contract with the Douglas Aircraft Company for two prototype aircraft of a new carrier torpedo/dive bomber design.
8 Apr 1943 XSB2D-1 prototype aircraft took its first flight.
5 Mar 1944 The second BTD Destroyer prototype aircraft took its first flight.

SPECIFICATIONS

BTD-1
MachineryOne Wright R-3350-14 Cyclone 18 radial engine rated at 2,300hp
Armament2x20mm cannon, up to 1,450kg of bombs or one torpedo
Crew1
Span13.72 m
Length11.76 m
Height4.14 m
Weight, Empty5,244 kg
Weight, Maximum8,618 kg
Speed, Maximum538 km/h
Service Ceiling7,195 m

Photographs

The XSB2D-1 prototype in flight, 1943. Only two were built. This was the prototype that was developed into the BTD Destroyer.XSB2D-1 Destroyer prototype on a test flight, 1943.XSB2D-1 Destroyer prototype taking off on a test flight, 1943.SBD-4 & SBD-5 Dauntlesses join USAAF as A-24A Banshees at Douglas Aircraft Co’s El Segundo Plant, Mar 16 1943. Note two experimental XSB2D-1 torpedo bomber prototypes against the back fence 3 weeks before its maiden flight.
See all 7 photographs of BTD Destroyer Torpedo Bomber



Did you enjoy this article? Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds



Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
Security Code
 
 

Note: We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.
Search WW2DB & Partner Sites
News

BTD Destroyer Torpedo Bomber Photo Gallery
The XSB2D-1 prototype in flight, 1943. Only two were built. This was the prototype that was developed into the BTD Destroyer.
See all 7 photographs of BTD Destroyer Torpedo Bomber




Current Site Statistics

Famous WW2 Quote
"I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil."

General Douglas MacArthur at Leyte, 17 Oct 1944