TB2D Skypirate

infobox Aircraft
name =TB2D Skypirate
type =Torpedo bomber
manufacturer =Douglas Aircraft Company

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caption =XTB2D-1 prototype
designer =
first flight =1945
introduced =
retired =
status =Cancelled
primary user =
more users =
produced =
number built =2
unit cost =
variants with their own articles =

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 Two prototypes were completed, but the dedicated torpedo bomber was becoming an outdated concept and with the end of World War II the type was no longer needed, so the project was cancelled.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 contra-rotating 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 (12.7 mm) machine guns.

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.

pecifications (TB2D Skypirate)

Aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=3
length main=46 ft 0 in
length alt=14.02 m
span main=70 ft 0 in
span alt=21.34 m
height main=
height alt=
area main=
area alt=
empty weight main=18,400 lb
empty weight alt=8,350 kg
loaded weight main=28,545 lb
loaded weight alt=12,947 kg
max takeoff weight main=34,760 lb
max takeoff weight alt=15,767 kg

more general=
engine (prop)=Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major
type of prop=radial engine
number of props=1
power main=3,350 hp
power alt=2,500 kW
max speed main=340 mph
max speed alt=546 km/h
range main=1,250 mi
range alt=2,013 km
ceiling main=28,000 ft
ceiling alt=8,500 m
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=

more performance=
armament=
* 2x 20 mm cannon
* .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns
* Up to 8,000 lb (3,639 kg) of bombs or four torpedoes

ee also

aircontent

related=

similar aircraft=
* TBF Avenger
* Curtiss XBTC
* AM Mauler
* A-1 Skyraider
* Blackburn Firebrand

lists=
* List of military aircraft of the United States

see also=

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Kowalski, Bob. "Douglas XTB2D-1 Skypirate" (Naval Fighters number Thirty-Six). Simi Valley, CA: Ginter Books, 1996. ISBN 0-942612-36-1.