Douglas XP3D-1

Douglas XP3D-1

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03/31/2008. The sole XP3D-1 was built as a competitor to the Consolidated XP3Y-1, prototype of the well-known Catalina series. While XP3D-1 was flown on February 6, 1935, a month ahead of the XP3Y-1, the latter won the competition on price basis, and Consolidated gained a contract for sixty P3Y-1s on June 29, 1935.

Douglas proposed an improved version to the USN, incorporating stronger engines mounted ahead of the wing leading edge, a raised wing, partially retractable floats and a nose turret. The XP3D-1 was rebuilt to the XP3D-2 and redelivered to the USN on May 15, 1936. Although it gained no production orders, the aircraft served with VP-11F at San Diego, California, until it was lost on take off in Acapulco Bay, Mexico, February 8, 1937.


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03/31/2008. The sole XP3D-1 was built as a competitor to the Consolidated XP3Y-1, prototype of the well-known Catalina series. While XP3D-1 was flown on February 6, 1935, a month ahead of the XP3Y-1, the latter won the competition on price basis, and Consolidated gained a contract for sixty P3Y-1s on June 29, 1935. Douglas proposed an improved version to the USN, incorporating stronger engines mounted ahead of the wing leading edge, a raised wing, partially retractable floats and a nose turret. The XP3D-1 was rebuilt to the XP3D-2 and redelivered to the USN on May 15, 1936. Although it gained no production orders, the aircraft served with VP-11F at San Diego, California, until it was lost on take off in Acapulco Bay, Mexico, February 8, 1937.