Curtiss XBT2C

XBT2C
The XBT2C-1
Role	Attack aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
First flight	March 1945
Number built	9
Developed from	Curtiss XBTC

The Curtiss XBT2C was an experimental single-engined dive/torpedo bomber developed during World War II. It was based on the Curtiss XBTC single seat dive/torpedo bomber, but used a less powerful engine Wright R-3350 radial engine and could carry a second crew member in the rear fuselage. It was fitted with radar, which was carried in a pod under the starboard wing. Nine of ten projected aircraft were built. They were Curtiss' last type for the U.S. Navy. All were scrapped in the late 1940s.

Operators

United States

• United States Navy

Specifications (XBT2C-1)

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 or 2
• Length: 39 ft 2 in (11.93 m)
• Wingspan: 47 ft 7⅛ in (14.5 m)
• Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
• Wing area: 416 ft² (38.64 m²)
• Empty weight: 12,268 lb (5,565 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 19,022 lb (8,628 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-3350-24 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder, two-row, air-cooled radial engine, 2,500 hp (1,865 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 330 mph (287 knots, 531 km/h) at 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
• Range: 1,310 mi (1,139 nmi, 2,108 km)
• Service ceiling: 26,300 ft (8,016 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,890 ft/min (9.6 m/s)

Armament

• Guns: 2 × 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon (wing)
• Bombs: 2,000 lb (907 kg)

See also

Related development

• SB2C Helldiver
• Curtiss XBTC
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• AD Skyraider
• AM Mauler
• Kaiser-Fleetwings XBTK
  

Related lists

• List of attack aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
  

References

• Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10029 8. 
• Donald, David (1997). The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY, NY: Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5. 
• Thomason, Tommy H. (2009). Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft From Skyraider to Super Hornet 1948-Present. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press. ISBN 978-1-58007-132-1.