TB2D Skypirate
| Douglas TB2D Skypirate
|
XTB2D-1 Skypirate prototype
|
| Description
|
| Role | Carrier-borne torpedo bomber
|
| Crew | 3
|
| First Flight | 1945
|
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company
|
| Dimensions
|
| Length | 46' 0" | 14.02 m
|
| Wingspan | 70' 0" | 21.34 m
|
| Height | ' " | m
|
| Wing area | ft² | m²
|
| Weights
|
| Empty | 18,400 lbs | 8350 kg
|
| Loaded | 28,545lbs | 12947 kg
|
| Maximum takeoff | 34,760 lbs | 15,767 kg
|
| Powerplant
|
| Engines | Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major
|
| Power | 3350 hp | 2500 kW
|
| Performance
|
| Maximum speed | 340 mph | 546 km/h
|
| Combat range | 1250 miles | 2013 km
|
| Ferry range | miles | km
|
| Service ceiling | 28,000 ft | 8500 m
|
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min
|
| Wing loading | lb/ft² | kg/m²
|
| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg
|
| Armament
|
| Guns | 2 × 20mm cannon
.50 cal machineguns
|
| Bombs | 8000 lbs | 3639 kg
|
| Other | 4 × torpedoes
|
The Douglas TB2D Skypirate (also known as the Devastator II) was a torpedo bomber intended for service with the United States Navy's Midway class aircraft carriers; they were too large for earlier decks. Two prototypes were completed, but the dedicated torpedo bomber was becoming an outdated concept and with the end of World War II the type was no longer needed, so the project was cancelled.
The TB2D was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major driving contrarotating propellers. Four torpedoes could be carried on underwing pylons, or an equivalent bomb load. Defensive armament consisted of two 20 mm cannon in the wings and .50 cal machineguns.
Very large for a single-engined aircraft, the TB2D would have been the largest piston-engined carrierborne plane at the time if it had been deployed. It could carry four times the weapon load of the TBF Avenger and was larger, heavier and faster than a B-25 Mitchell bomber.
