Douglas XTB2D Skypirate

Douglas XTB2D Skypirate Story

During World War II (1939-1945), the U.S. Navy took its ever-expanding fleet of carrier-based aircraft to whole new heights, expanding from dedicated fighter jets to multi-role fighter-bomber types and even more specialized ones Advanced bombing platforms in the form of fighter jets, dive bombers and torpedo bombers.

As American Airlines grew in size, they were able to accommodate larger aircraft on stronger, more spacious decks, and one of the most famous large aircraft to appear at the end of the war was the famous Douglas A-1 Skyraider . 1946 (detailed elsewhere on this site).

The Midway-class carriers were in development as early as 1942, a design that gave Navy war planners the flexibility to accommodate larger aircraft designs on planned deck space. Authorities initially adopted the design in a twin-engine configuration to obtain the performance needed to take on the role of a torpedo bomber, with reconnaissance and bombing capabilities as secondary.

The design would be able to carry multiple torpedoes into combat, expanding the torpedo bomber's tactical appeal compared to its wartime contemporaries, which were limited to a single torpedo.

In November 1942, the United States Navy (USN) commissioned the Douglas Aircraft Company to design, develop and produce their new bomber. The project gained the necessary impetus to move forward in late October 1943, when two airworthy prototypes (the second fuselage slightly lengthened) and a "Skypirate" named "XTB2D-1" were signed.

Contract for static test benches. /p]

When Douglas engineers (a team including the famous American aeronautical engineer Ed Heinemann) got to work, the twin-engine approach was eventually abandoned in favor of a single-engine approach with considerable power. This became the Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-8 3,000 hp supercharged radial piston engine driving a pair of 14.3-foot diameter four-blade counter-rotating propeller units.

Internal bomb bays were also part of the original design plan, while aft turrets would be used to defend against trailing air threats. A fairly modern tricycle landing gear was installed to provide the necessary clearance for the large blades, while also simplifying the loading/reloading of ammunition.

The bow legs have telescoping struts that reduce their length when retracting their compartments, as well as a twin-wheel configuration to withstand the rigors of duty on the carrier deck. A crew of three will operate various onboard systems, and her space station is fully armored for low-altitude combat flight. The empennage relies on a large-area rudder supplemented by a low-mounted horizontal plane.

This part also carries safety gear.

Much attention was paid to the main wing aircraft during the design phase. They fold outward from the main landing gear legs for optimal carrier storage, with fuel stored in four main compartments inside and outside the legs.

Each wing contains two hardpoints for carrying a 2,100-pound torpedo load (or equivalent to traditional throwing weapons). Further exploration is made of outboard mount points for disposable fuel tanks that can be used to increase combat range. Each wing was also equipped with 2 x .50 caliber Browning M2 heavy machine guns for forward firing at ground targets.

Slotted full-span flaps, self-adjusting mid-flight and inboard sections that double as ailerons, and anti-icing features are also part of a fairly advanced design.

Firestone provided work for the back turret, which was armed with 2 x .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine guns. The turret is mounted in the center of the aircraft, with the cockpit in the front.

The ventral structural fairing is planned below, and the station will feature a viewing window, as well as 2 x .50 caliber Browning M2 remote-controlled heavy machine guns mounted within a limited height range.

In early 1943, as the war in Europe and the Pacific raged, the model was examined. The Naval Service was impressed and awarded Douglas a contract for 23 aircraft based on the work on display. However, the program was subject to constant delays and general disinterest due to slow deliveries of propulsion equipment and the fact that mass production was not ready by mid-1944.

Some design development continued, and the Sky Viking prototype finally took off on March 13, 1945 - although the fuselage lacked the dorsal turret and belly fairing.

By this time, Japan's naval superiority was long gone, and the fighter-bombers on existing American carriers proved sufficient for the dwindling enemy presence in the summer of 1945. With so little demand for such a large and expensive combat system, the XTB2D project stalled. It was dealt a fatal blow after Japan's surrender in August 1945.

A handful of tests of the Skypirate have revealed problems with the wings, engines and propellers, only exacerbating the program's woes. Although consideration was given to modifying the Skypirate as a dedicated long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance platform, or even as a jet test bed, neither scenario materialized, marking the official end of the Skypirate program in 1947.

Specification

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Performance

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