The Douglas TBD Devastator was a torpedo bomber of the United States Navy, ordered in 1934, it first flew in 1935 and entered service in 1937. At that point, it was the most advanced aircraft flying for the USN and possibly for any navy in the world. However, the fast pace of aircraft development caught up with it, and by the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the TBD was already outdated. It performed well in some early battles, but in the Battle of Midway the Devastators launched against the Japanese fleet were almost totally wiped out. The type was immediately withdrawn from front line service, replaced by the Grumman TBF Avenger.
Crew: Three: Pilot, Torpedo Officer/Navigator, Radioman/Gunner
Length: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
Height: 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m)
Powerplant: One × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-64 Twin Wasp radial engine, 900 hp (672 kW) each
Maximum speed: 206 mph (331 km/h) at 8,000 ft (2,400 m)
Cruise speed: 128 mph (206 km/h)
Range: 435 mi (700 km) (378 nmi, 700 km)with Mk XIII Torpedo, 716 mi (623 nmi, 1,152 km) with 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
