The Douglas Aircraft Company developed the Douglas XT3D, an American three-seat torpedo bomber biplane, in response to a requirement from the United States Navy.
The XT3D torpedo bomber (BuNo 8730) made its maiden flight in 1931 and has been characterized as a large and unattractive aircraft.
Constructed of metal with a fabric covering, the XT3D featured folding wings and an arrestor hook for carrier operation.
Equipped with a fixed tailwheel landing gear and powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet radial engine, the XT3D boasted three open cockpits, with the forward cockpit designated for the gunner/bomb-aimer, the centre cockpit for the pilot, and the rear cockpit for another gunner.
Despite its impressive features, the XT3D failed to meet the Navy’s requirements and was subsequently returned to Douglas after testing.
The aircraft underwent modifications, including the installation of a more powerful Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-54 radial engine and wheel fairings, and the two rear cockpits were enclosed.
The re-designated XT3D-2 still failed to pass Navy trials and was not ordered into production.
The prototype was utilized by the Navy for general purpose use for the next decade until it was relegated to an instructional airframe in 1941. Variants XT3D-1 Prototype powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1690 radial, one built. XT3D-2 The prototype was modified including a change to a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial. Specifications Crew 3 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 take-off 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 guns (Flexible mounted on forward and rear cockpits) Bombs 1835lb (832kg) torpedo or equivalent in bombs. Sources McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company 1st 75 Years Aviation Book-McDonnell Douglas. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920, Volume 1-René J Francillon. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Ray Wagner Photo Collection.
