Douglas XFD: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Expansion, cleanup, referencing
m bypass redirect (via WP:JWB)
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Experimental two-seat naval biplane fighter}}
{{Selfref|“XFD” redirects here. For the Wikipedia deletion process, see [[WP:XFD]]}}
{{Distinguish|text = XFD-1, the 1945 jet fighter prototype of [[McDonnell FH Phantom]]}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
Line 20: Line 21:
The XFD was designed to the U.S. Navy's [[Bureau of Aeronautics]] (BuAer) Specification No. 311, requesting a carrier-based two-seater biplane fighter.<ref>Yenne 1985, p. 64.</ref> On June 30, 1932, the Navy ordered the XFD, [[Vought XF3U]], and [[Curtiss XF12C]] for testing.<ref name="Angel">Angelucci, 1987. pp. 182-183.</ref>
The XFD was designed to the U.S. Navy's [[Bureau of Aeronautics]] (BuAer) Specification No. 311, requesting a carrier-based two-seater biplane fighter.<ref>Yenne 1985, p. 64.</ref> On June 30, 1932, the Navy ordered the XFD, [[Vought XF3U]], and [[Curtiss XF12C]] for testing.<ref name="Angel">Angelucci, 1987. pp. 182-183.</ref>


The first naval fighter designed by Douglas Aircraft,<ref>Pattillo 2001, p. 111.</ref> the XFD was constructed of metal, with a fabric outer covering. The crew sat in tandem in a single bay, enclosed by a long canopy. It had fixed landing gear with a tailwheel. It was designed to be armed with two {{convert|.30|in|abbr=on}} [[machine gun]]s, one fixed in the [[cowling]] and the other on a flexible mount for the observer, and a {{convert|500|lb|adj=on}} cound be carried.<ref name="John">Johnson 2011, p. 84.</ref> Powered was supplied by a [[Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior]] [[radial engine]].<ref name="John"/>
The first naval fighter designed by Douglas Aircraft,<ref>Pattillo 2001, p. 111.</ref> the XFD was constructed of metal, with a fabric outer covering. The crew sat in tandem in a single bay, enclosed by a long canopy. The aircraft had fixed [[conventional landing gear]], and was designed to be armed with two {{convert|.30|in|abbr=on}} [[machine gun]]s, one fixed in the [[cowling]] and the other on a flexible mount for the observer. A {{convert|500|lb|adj=on}} bomb load could be carried.<ref name="John">Johnson 2011, p. 84.</ref> Powered was supplied by a [[Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior]] [[radial engine]].<ref name="John"/>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
The XFD-1 prototype first flew in January 1933;<ref name="Angel"/> it was delivered to the U.S. Navy for trials at [[Naval Air Station Anacostia]] in June 1933, within four days of the delivery of the Vought XF3U-1;<ref name="John"/> evaluations of the types were undertaken between June 18, 1933 and August 14, 1934.<ref name="Angel"/> While the XFD-1's performance was considered to be acceptable, the U.S. Navy's operational requirements were already changing to see the two-seat fighter concept falling out of favor, the [[scout bomber]] being considered more useful for the Navy's needs, and accordingly after the end of the XFD-1's flight trials no further orders were placed for the type.<ref name="John"/>
The XFD-1{{#tag:ref|The XFD-1 designation was later reused by the U.S. Navy for the prototype of the [[McDonnell FH Phantom]] [[jet fighter]].|group=N}} prototype first flew in January 1933;<ref name="Angel"/> it was delivered to the U.S. Navy for trials at [[Naval Air Station Anacostia]] in June 1933, within four days of the delivery of the Vought XF3U-1;<ref name="John"/> evaluations of the types were undertaken between June 18, 1933 and August 14, 1934.<ref name="Angel"/> While the XFD-1's performance was considered to be acceptable, the U.S. Navy's operational requirements were already changing to see the two-seat fighter concept falling out of favor, the [[scout bomber]] being considered more useful for the Navy's needs, and accordingly after the end of the XFD-1's flight trials no further orders were placed for the type.<ref name="John"/>


==Specifications==
==Specifications==
[[File:Douglas XFD-1 running up on 26 June 1933.jpg|thumb|right|The XFD-1 in June 1933]]
[[File:Douglas XFD-1 running up on 26 June 1933.jpg|thumb|right|The XFD-1 in June 1933]]
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Angelucci 1987<ref name="Angel"/>, Johnson 2011<ref name="John"/>
|ref=Angelucci 1987,<ref name="Angel"/> Johnson 2011<ref name="John"/>
|prime units?=imp
|prime units?=imp


Line 134: Line 135:


|guns=1 x [[.30-caliber]] [[machine gun]], fixed forwards-firing cowl mounting<br>1 x .30-caliber machine gun, flexible mounting in rear cockpit
|guns=1 x [[.30-caliber]] [[machine gun]], fixed forwards-firing cowl mounting<br>1 x .30-caliber machine gun, flexible mounting in rear cockpit
|bombs={{convert|5000|lb}} external
|bombs={{convert|500|lb}} external
|rockets=
|rockets=
|missiles=
|missiles=
Line 154: Line 155:
*[[Vought XF3U]]
*[[Vought XF3U]]
|lists=
|lists=
*[[List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)]]
*[[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]]
}}
}}


==References==
==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
Line 166: Line 170:
*{{cite book|last=Johnson|first=E.R.|title=United States Naval Aviation, 1919-1941|year=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson, NC|ISBN=978-0-7864-4550-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Johnson|first=E.R.|title=United States Naval Aviation, 1919-1941|year=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson, NC|ISBN=978-0-7864-4550-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Pattillo|first=Donald|title=Pushing the Envelope: The American Aircraft Industry|year=2001|publisher=University of Michigan Press|location=Ann Arbor, MI|isbn=0-472-10869-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Pattillo|first=Donald|title=Pushing the Envelope: The American Aircraft Industry|year=2001|publisher=University of Michigan Press|location=Ann Arbor, MI|isbn=0-472-10869-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Yenne|first=Bill|Title=McDonnell Douglas: Tale of Two Giants|year=1985|publisher=Crescent Books|location=New York|ISBN=978-0-5174-4287-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Yenne|first=Bill|title=McDonnell Douglas: Tale of Two Giants|year=1985|publisher=Crescent Books|location=New York|ISBN=978-0-5174-4287-6}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Line 172: Line 176:
{{USN fighters}}
{{USN fighters}}


[[Category:Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States]]
[[Category:Douglas aircraft|F01D]]
[[Category:Douglas aircraft|F01D]]
[[Category:United States fighter aircraft 1930–1939]]
[[Category:1930s United States fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]

Latest revision as of 19:20, 20 January 2022

Not to be confused with XFD-1, the 1945 jet fighter prototype of McDonnell FH Phantom.
XFD
Role Fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight January 1933
Primary user United States Navy
Number built 1

The Douglas XFD was a carrier-based biplane fighter aircraft designed for the United States Navy, and the first fighter to be built by the Douglas Aircraft Company. A victim of changing requirements, no production was undertaken.

Design and development[edit]

The XFD was designed to the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) Specification No. 311, requesting a carrier-based two-seater biplane fighter.[1] On June 30, 1932, the Navy ordered the XFD, Vought XF3U, and Curtiss XF12C for testing.[2]

The first naval fighter designed by Douglas Aircraft,[3] the XFD was constructed of metal, with a fabric outer covering. The crew sat in tandem in a single bay, enclosed by a long canopy. The aircraft had fixed conventional landing gear, and was designed to be armed with two .30 in (7.6 mm) machine guns, one fixed in the cowling and the other on a flexible mount for the observer. A 500-pound (230 kg) bomb load could be carried.[4] Powered was supplied by a Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine.[4]

Operational history[edit]

The XFD-1[N 1] prototype first flew in January 1933;[2] it was delivered to the U.S. Navy for trials at Naval Air Station Anacostia in June 1933, within four days of the delivery of the Vought XF3U-1;[4] evaluations of the types were undertaken between June 18, 1933 and August 14, 1934.[2] While the XFD-1's performance was considered to be acceptable, the U.S. Navy's operational requirements were already changing to see the two-seat fighter concept falling out of favor, the scout bomber being considered more useful for the Navy's needs, and accordingly after the end of the XFD-1's flight trials no further orders were placed for the type.[4]

Specifications[edit]

The XFD-1 in June 1933

Data from Angelucci 1987,[2] Johnson 2011[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two (pilot and observer)
  • Length: 25 ft 4 in (7.72 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
  • Height: 25 ft 4 in (7.72 m)
  • Wing area: 295 sq ft (27.4 m2)
  • Empty weight: 3,227 lb (1,464 kg)
  • Gross weight: 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1535-64 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 700 hp (520 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Hamilton Standard

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 204 mph (328 km/h, 177 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 170 mph (270 km/h, 150 kn)
  • Combat range: 576 mi (927 km, 501 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 23,700 ft (7,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,670 ft/min (8.5 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: 1 x .30-caliber machine gun, fixed forwards-firing cowl mounting
    1 x .30-caliber machine gun, flexible mounting in rear cockpit
  • Bombs: 500 pounds (230 kg) external

See also[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Douglas XFD.

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The XFD-1 designation was later reused by the U.S. Navy for the prototype of the McDonnell FH Phantom jet fighter.

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Yenne 1985, p. 64.
  2. ^ a b c d Angelucci, 1987. pp. 182-183.
  3. ^ Pattillo 2001, p. 111.
  4. ^ a b c d e Johnson 2011, p. 84.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books.
  • Johnson, E.R. (2011). United States Naval Aviation, 1919-1941. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-4550-9.
  • Pattillo, Donald (2001). Pushing the Envelope: The American Aircraft Industry. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-10869-7.
  • Yenne, Bill (1985). McDonnell Douglas: Tale of Two Giants. New York: Crescent Books. ISBN 978-0-5174-4287-6.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Douglas_XFD&oldid=1066913946"