Grumman XTB2F

The Grumman TB2F was a cancelled twin-engined torpedo bomber project, intended as Grumman's successor to the successful TBF Avenger. However, only a mockup was ever constructed.

TB2F
Mockup of the XTB2F
Role	Torpedo bomber
Manufacturer	Grumman
Status	Cancelled at mockup stage

In 1944, during World War II, the Midway class aircraft carriers were being built, and Grumman attempted to design a new torpedo bomber to accompany those carriers. However, it was soon decided that, among other difficulties, it would be impractical to efficiently deploy twin-engined aircraft of this size from an aircraft carrier, and the plans were shelved.

Specifications

Data from A Tracker Before Its Time?

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m)
• Wingspan: 74 ft 0 in (22.56 m) (Folded span: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m))
• Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
• Max takeoff weight: 43,937 lb (19,929 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 1,960 US Gallon internal fuel
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22 Double Wasp radial engine, 2,100 hp (1,600 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 271 kn (312 mph, 502 km/h)
• Stall speed: 61.8 kn (71.1 mph, 114.4 km/h)
• Ferry range: 2,352 nmi (2,707 mi, 4,356 km)
• Service ceiling: 31,600 ft (9,600 m)

Armament

• Guns:
  
  • 1× 75 mm cannon and 6× .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns forward firing
  • 2× .50 in machine guns each in dorsal and ball turrets
• Bombs: 1× Mark 13 torpedo or 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) bombs or mines in bomb bay

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Douglas TB2D Skypirate
• Grumman AF Guardian

Related lists

• List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
• List of military aircraft of the United States

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Johnson, E.R. (2008). American Attack Aircraft Since 1926. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-3464-0.
• Pelletier, Alain J. "A Tracker Before Its Time?: Grumman's Heavyweight XTB2F-1". Air Enthusiast, No. 98, March/April 2002. ISSN 0143-5450. pp. 48–53.