Douglas BTD Destroyer
Douglas · United States · first flew 1943 · bomber
The Douglas BTD Destroyer was a single-seat dive and torpedo bomber developed for the United States Navy during the Second World War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.77 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single large radial engine with a four-blade propeller
- Mid-mounted gull wing
- Tricycle undercarriage
A large single-engine monoplane with a mid-mounted gull wing, a bomb bay and a tricycle undercarriage.
Specifications
- The Douglas BTD Destroyer has a length of 11.77 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.64 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 554 km/h (344 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was derived from the two-seat XSB2D-1 dive bomber, which first flew on 8 April 1943. Douglas removed the turrets and second crewman and added fuel and armour; the first BTD-1 flew on 5 March 1944.
Variants
The BTD-1 was the production version, built as a single-seat variant. Orders for the SB2D-1 were converted to the BTD-1.
Where you'll see it
Only 28 were delivered before Japan surrendered in August 1945 and production was cancelled; none saw combat.
Related aircraft
- Douglas C-47B Skytrain
- DC-4
- Douglas A-20C Havoc
- Douglas A-26 Invader
- Aichi M6A Seiran
- Arado Ar 234
- Avro Lancaster B X
- Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.