BTD-1

BTD-1

BTD-1

USA

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	4.0	4.0

Class:

PREMIUM

Bomber

Naval aircraft

Torpedo bomber

Purchase:1 750

Show in game

Description

The BTD-1 Destroyer is a premium rank III American naval bomber with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB) and 4.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.33.

The BTD-1 is a single engine dive bomber and torpedo bomber and can carry a very wide array of explosive ordinance. This plane can be used effectively against both ground and naval targets. "The Destroyer" can reload on either an aircraft carrier or an airfield. It can also be utilized as a bomber hunter, using the air spawn (on non-carrier maps) and it's twin 20mm cannons to shred stray bombers.

General info

Flight Performance

A torpedo-bomber easily recognized by its square shape, the BTD-1 “Destroyer” is a heavily armed single-seat propeller-driven aircraft designed to destroy naval and ground targets. The BTD-1 can, however, be stretched to various different playstyles, even being capable of destroying aerial targets thanks to a pair of AN/M2 cannons. With carrier capabilities and a bomber spawn, the BTD-1 can effectively work on most maps and conditions. Although sluggish at higher speeds, the plane performs favorably at higher altitudes. This altitude advantage is quickly lost, however, due to a great loss of energy while turning. When used in ground and air battles, the BTD-1 excels at delivering a large payload to a target with pinpoint accuracy. Along with great survivability and premium-boosters, it’s a great vehicle for new players looking to learn how to use both bombs and torpedoes on a single-engine bomber.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,907 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
534	519	7190	28.2	29.4	7.2	7.0	307
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,907 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
571	553	7190	25.9	27.0	11.4	9.1	307

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
885	253	380	~13	~13

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 380	< 370	< 390	> 300

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
610 m	2,250 hp	2,295 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,115 m	1,900 hp	1,900 hp (WEP has no effect)

Survivability and armour

• 9.5 mm steel - bulkhead in front of cockpit
• 9.5 mm steel - behind pilot
• 38 mm bulletproof glass - armoured windscreen

Armour plates found inside the BTD-1

The BTD is well known for its bulky fuselage and decent protection. Along with some 9.5-millimeter plates, the cockpit is outfitted with a 40mm bulletproof glass plate, giving the pilot decent protection against incoming fire from the front. The wings and fuselage are quite durable, usually tanking the most critical damage before breaking apart. What tends to bring the BTD-1 back to earth are the control surfaces, which either break internally or externally when fired at. The control surfaces of the tail-section being especially vulnerable to damage, which results in the complete abandonment of the BTD-1 if destroyed.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The BTD-1 is armed with:

• 2 х 20 mm AN/M2 cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

The BTD-1 boasts two heavy-caliber cannons, capable of swiftly destroying ground and aerial targets. With a penetration of ~30mm, the shells fired tend to destroy most tanks from above, as well as light pillboxes found in air-battles. Being quite slow in fire-rate, the cannons last quite a long time due to the 200 rounds per gun. This, along with great velocity, makes it easy to destroy targets further out than normal. The AN/M2 cannon is overall reliable, and works with any engagement, as long as they connect with the target.

Suspended armament

The BTD-1 can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

• 6 х 250 lb AN-M57 bombs
• 2 х 250 lb AN-M57 bombs + 2 х 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs
• 2 х 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs
• 1 х 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb
• 2 х 2216 lb Mk.13/44 torpedoes

Usage in battles

Bomber interception

By selecting the bomber spawn, the BTD-1 gets the same starting altitude of around 3500 meters. This ensures that the BTD-1 can efficiently intercept bombers if the pilot wishes to do so. By releasing the starting payload and climbing, the BTD-1 can achieve similar or higher altitudes than most planes at its BR, making it a dangerous foe to fight against. On top of this, the BTD-1 has great maneuverability at height, which helps it get on top of most enemies it faces. Despite these upsides, it's still important to remember the weight of this plane. Any fighter with an energy advantage will make easy work of a BTD-1 due to the weak power output it offers.

Dive bombing

Using the BTD-1 for its intended purposes makes the plane shine. Although quite sluggish with bombs loaded, the large payload of 2000lb is very effective, giving the pilot options to attack most naval, or ground based targets with guaranteed success. The recommended procedure for dive-bombing can be simplified to pointing your plane straight downwards at a target after flying above it. This can be, for example, a destroyer or an enemy base. At this stage, the BTD-1 has no problem unleashing its payload and getting out of trouble. If extra time is needed to adjust the planes heading, the large air-brakes can be deployed, slowing the plane enough to safely dive as far down as the player wishes.

Torpedo bombing

On certain occasions, the BTD-1 has the opportunity to destroy naval vessels. If this be Naval battles or Air battles, the overall destructiveness of a torpedo stays the same. The BTD-1 can equip two 2216lb torpedoes, capable of being dropped at almost 400kph! These torpedoes are enough to sink a destroyer each, or a single carrier. Even though this role requires patience and a lot of flanking, it remains a fun and unique way to deal damage to enemy ships. Most pilots will find enjoyment in having a single-engine plane capable of taking two torpedoes. Just remember to stay out of dodge from enemy fire, since the heavy torpedoes and low altitude make it almost impossible to dodge enemy shells.

Close air support

The BTD-1 is heavily used as a support plane in ground battles, where the payload becomes even deadlier than before. Thanks to strong air-brakes and a center-mounted payload, the plane can accurately bomb most vehicles below it, resulting in 1-2 guaranteed kills if done professionally. Although dive-bombing is more precise, the BTD-1 can engage targets like any low-altitude frontline bomber. If a pilot gets comfortable with the drop-speed of the payload, the tanks below will have a much harder time avoiding incoming bombs. This, however, requires training but usually leads to better results thanks to the faster engagement speed.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable	Not controllable	Controllable	Combined	Controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator			SBC mk.I
II		Compressor	Airframe		TC mk.I
III	Wings repair	Engine		Offensive 20 mm	MBC mk.I
IV		Engine injection	Cover	New 20 mm cannons	LBC mk.I

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Fast for a carrier based bomber.
• Comparable to the B7A2 in terms of playstyle and roles.
• Good frontal armament.
• Great choice of additional armament for it's tier and size.
• Above average turn rate when at higher altitudes and with less load.
• Easy to land, especially with the help of air brakes.
• Can drop bombs both when flying horizontally and when diving.
• Airframe can withstand high speed dive.
• Very effective air brakes.
• All bomb payloads are carried internally.
• Decent energy retention.
• Gets an air spawn and can perform a bomber hunting role.
• Very good SL and RP maker.
• Can carry 2 torpedoes

Cons:

• Less responsive handling at low altitudes.
• Bombs and torpedoes limit the plane's maneuverability.
• No Defensive turrets.
• No bomb sight.
• Compresses heavily at high speeds, causes many accidents.
• Negative G maneuvers cause elevator to lose effectiveness for a couple seconds, can cause crashes if performed at ground level.

History

The US Navy ordered two prototypes from Douglas Aircraft Company for a two seat dive bomber in June of 1941. The dive bomber was intended to replace the Douglas SBD Dauntless and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. The project was designated as the XSB2D-1. The design was a single-engine dive bomber with an inverted gull wing. It was armed with two wing-mounted 20 mm cannons, two remote-controlled turrets - each with two .50 cal machine guns - and up to 4,200 lbs of bombs in the bomb bay and on wing-mounted pylons.

The prototype first flew on 8 April, 1943. The performance was significantly better than the Helldiver, and it could carry nearly twice the payload. The Navy ordered 358, but changed the requirements to a single pilot dive bomber / torpedo bomber with no defensive turrets before any were made. Douglas removed the turrets and second crewman from the XSB2D-1, added more armor and fuel, and redesignated the design as the BTD-1 Destroyer. The ability to carry torpedoes on the wing racks was added. The BTD-1 first flew in March of 1944. In June of 1944, the first BTD-1's left the factory. The BTD-1 entered service too late to see combat in World War 2, as only 28 BTD-1's had been completed by August 1945, when Japan surrendered. The order was cancelled, and that was the end of the BTD-1's service.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.

Douglas Aircraft Company
Strike Aircraft	A-20G-25 · A-26B-10 · A-26B-50 · AD-2 · AD-4 · A-1H
Bombers	TBD-1 · B-18A · SBD-3 · BTD-1 · A-26C-45 · A-26C-45DT
Turboprops	A2D-1
Jet Aircraft	F3D-1 · F4D-1
A-4 Skyhawk	A-4B · A-4E Early
Export	▄Havoc Mk I · ▄Boston Mk I · ▄DB-7 · ▂A-20G-30 · ▄AD-4 · ▄AD-4NA
A-4 Skyhawk	A-4H · A-4E Early (M) · Ayit · A-4E
	The Douglas Aircraft Company merged with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas.