Douglas DT-1

Douglas · United States · first flew 1921 · transport aircraft

The Douglas DT-1 was the first aircraft designed and built by the Douglas Company, a single-engine biplane torpedo bomber developed for the US Navy that established Douglas as a major aircraft manufacturer.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.06 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Single-engine biplane torpedo bomber with twin float undercarriage
Douglas's first military aircraft design and the company's commercial breakthrough
Open tandem cockpit with Liberty engine in the nose

Large single-bay biplane with long torpedo-carrying fuselage, Liberty inline engine, twin floats or wheel undercarriage, and open tandem cockpits set well aft.

Specifications

The Douglas DT-1 has a length of 11.06 m (36 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.26 m (50 ft).
Its maximum speed is 166 km/h (103 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed in 1921 by Donald Douglas to meet a US Navy requirement for a carrier-capable torpedo bomber, the DT-1 was an immediate success and led to substantial orders for the DT-2 variant. The aircraft could be fitted with wheels or floats. Its success provided the financial foundation for Douglas to build the World Cruisers that completed the first aerial circumnavigation of the globe in 1924.

Variants

The DT-2 was a production variant with numerous improvements; the DT-2B was a two-seat version. The DT series was also built under licence by other manufacturers.

Where you'll see it

Operated by US Navy torpedo squadrons in the early 1920s; replaced as more capable designs became available.

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