Douglas XTB2D Skypirate

Douglas TB2D Skypirate
XTB2D-1 Skypirate prototype
Description
Role	Carrier-borne torpedo bomber
Crew	3
First Flight	1945
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
Dimensions
Length	46' 0"	14.02 m
Wingspan	70' 0"	21.34 m
Height	' "	m
Wing area	ft²	m²
Weights
Empty	18,400 lbs	8350 kg
Loaded	28,545lbs	12947 kg
Maximum takeoff	34,760 lbs	15,767 kg
Powerplant
Engines	Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major
Power	3350 hp	2500 kW
Performance
Maximum speed	340 mph	546 km/h
Combat range	1250 miles	2013 km
Ferry range	miles	km
Service ceiling	28,000 ft	8500 m
Rate of climb	ft/min	m/min
Wing loading	lb/ft²	kg/m²
Power/Mass	hp/lb	kW/kg
Armament
Guns	2 × 20mm cannon .50 cal machineguns
Bombs	8000 lbs	3639 kg
Other	4 × torpedoes

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 Two prototypes were completed, but the dedicated torpedo bomber was becoming an outdated concept and with the end of World War II the type was no longer needed, so the project was cancelled.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 contrarotating 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 machineguns.

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.

Related content
Similar Aircraft	TBF Avenger
Designation Series	TBD Devastator - TB2D Skypirate - Douglas TB3D
Related Lists	List of military aircraft of the United States