Douglas XP3D
Douglas Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1935 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Douglas XP3D was a prototype American patrol flying boat of the 1930s, a twin-engined high-winged monoplane built to equip the US Navy's patrol squadrons.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.22 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engined high-wing flying boat
- Engines mounted on the wing leading edge after rebuilding
- Retractable wing floats and a nose turret on the rebuilt aircraft
A flying boat with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-64 Twin Wasp radial engines of 900 hp each.
Specifications
- The Douglas XP3D has a length of 21.22 m (70 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 28.96 m (95 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 295 km/h (183 mph).
- Typical crew: 5-7.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The prototype XP3D-1 first flew on 6 February 1935. The Consolidated P3Y, later PBY, was chosen instead because it was cheaper.
Variants
The XP3D-1 had two R-1830-58 engines above and ahead of the wing. It was rebuilt as the XP3D-2 with the wing raised 27 inches, the engines on the leading edge and retractable floats.
Where you'll see it
The XP3D-1 was briefly operated by Patrol Squadron 3. The rebuilt XP3D-2 was used by VP-11F as a VIP aircraft until destroyed in a crash at Acapulco Bay on 8 February 1937.
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