Developed from the Douglas XSB2D-1 Destroyer as a torpedo bomber for the US Navy, the Douglas BTD Destroyer first flew on 5 March 1944. It differed from the XSB2D-1 with the removal of the turrets and second crewman, the addition of more fuel and armor and wing racks that could carry two torpedoes.
The additional weight from the modifications severely affected performance and the contract was terminated at the end of the war, with only 26 production aircraft being completed.
Two XBTD-2 prototypes were built in an attempt to increase performance with the additional Westinghouse 19B engines in rear fuselage giving 1,500 lbf (6.7 kN) thrust. This mixed propulsion with the additional turbojet did not sufficiently improve performance to warrant production.
Douglas BTD-1 DestroyerDouglas BTD-1 Destroyer 12 August 1943Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer 12 August 1943Douglas BTD-1 DestroyerDouglas BTD-1 DestroyerDouglas BTD-1 Destroyer at Pax River 26 July 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 at the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland (USA), on 26 June 1944Douglas BTD-1 DestroyerDouglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 at the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland (USA), on 26 June 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer in 1945Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at the NACA Langley Research Center on 31 August 1945Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland (USA), circa 1945Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04970 at Pax River 10 May 1946Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04970 at Pax River 10 May 1946Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer on the flight line at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, circa 1947Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04968 used by the NACA from 28 July 1944 to 30 June 1947Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at the Naval Air Rework Facility, Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia (USA).Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer out of NATC Patuxent River, Maryland, July 25th 1944.Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 4 September 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 4 September 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 4 September 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 4 September 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer s/n 04963 4 September 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at Pax River 25 July 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at Pax River 25 July 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at Pax River 25 July 1944Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer at Pax River 25 July 1944Douglas BTD-1 DestroyerDouglas BTD-1 in Ames 40×80 foot Wind Tunnel, unseated, horizontal tail onDouglas BTD-1 Destroyer cockpit
