Grumman XTB2F-1 (G-55)

Twin-Engine Carrierborne Navy Bomber Aircraft [ 1945 ]

The Grumman XTB2F-1 twin-engine attacker was seen as a possible successor to the storied Avenger torpedo bomber line for the USN.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/26/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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Introduced in 1942, the Grumman TBF Avenger carrier-based torpedo bomber proved itself a versatile aircraft for the Allies during what remained of World War 2 (1939-1945). Such versatility lent the airframe well to undergoing various experiments and modifications to further expand the tactical value of this fine wartime machine. In all, 9,839 Avengers were built and used by the air services of the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand for their part in the war. Other operators (including a rebuilding France) appeared in the post-war period.

The Avenger was a naturally large and heavy aircraft for its role in delivering torpedo loads over long ranges. However, to extract every ounce of value from the airframe, designers continued to pour more and more into the frame to help expand its usefulness as the war moved on. This continuous work prompted thinking amongst United States Navy (USN) authorities to find an eventual successor for the Avenger, built along more refined lines and possibly producing a singular replacement effort for the mix of torpedo / dive bombers then in USN service. The primary restriction at the time was large, twin-engined aircraft operating aboard space-strapped carriers, namely the all-important Essex- and Midway-class aircraft carriers where space proved a premium.

Despite this, the Navy eventually approached Grumman to develop a possible contender for the carrierborne bomber role. Grumman designers responded with the "Model G-55" in December of 1942 and a formal proposal followed in March of the following year. Grumman suggested that their aircraft could be made ready for war as soon as May 1945 but of course this was a selling point and wishful thinking to say the least. The Navy nevertheless liked what it heard and approved the venture on August 6th, 1943. The initial commitment would cover two flyable prototypes to prove the design sound.

The resulting aircraft was designated "XTB2F-1" and, using the Avenger as a general starting point, the large attacker would be given a pair of wing-mounted engines (unlike the Avenger's single, nose-mounted powerplant). The crew, avionics, fuel and war load (up to 8,000lb of torpedoes or drop bombs) would be concentrated within the smooth-skinned, rounded fuselage which had a traditional single-finned tail unit at the rear. The nose section was well-glazed to provide for excellent vision out-of-the-cockpit and a radar fit would be carried in a pod under the portside wing. Offset to the starboard side of the nose was a 75mm cannon installation within a blister-style fairing. The portside of the nose stood to receive 2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns and a further 4 x 0.50 caliber machine guns were envisioned in the wings. Unlike the Avenger, the XTB2F-1 was to accomplish ground-running with a tricycle undercarriage to provide for better vision on carrier decks. As was the case with most all carrierborne aircraft, the Grumman G-55 was also given folding wings for storage, the wings hinged just past the main landing gear leg wells and engine nacelles. Additional armament would come from a dorsal turret and ventral turret where each would carry 2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns.

In total, the attacker would be able to rely on a 75mm autocannon, 10 x 12.7mm machine guns and an 8,000lb bomb load (or two torpedoes).

The G-55 grew to become a very impressive aircraft, both large and heavy. Overall weight was estimated to reach in the neighborhood of 45,700lb and the wingspan measured out to 74 feet! To drive this monster was 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22 air-cooled radial piston engines of 2,100 horsepower, each driving three-bladed propeller units. The aircraft was estimated to end up with a top speed of 335 miles-per-hour and hit an altitude nearing 30,000 feet out to a range of 3,700 miles (ferry).

Grumman completed a mockup of their new bird for USN inspection and this occurred in May of 1944. Within a month, the Navy realized that the XTB2F-1 was not the answer and cancelled the request on June 14th, 1944, ending hopes for the two contracted-for prototypes. The G-55 was simply too large and too heavy for the current-generation carriers in USN service and would deliver far too little for the commitment when compared to smaller attack platforms already in circulation. The USN then moved on to consider other options.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1945

Origin

United States

Status

CANCELLED
Development Ended.

Crew

6

Production

0
UNITS

Grumman Aircraft - USA

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

United States (cancelled)

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.

✓ Maritime / Navy
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.

✓ X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

Length

57.4 ft
(17.50 m)

Width/Span

74.0 ft
(22.55 m)

Height

21.5 ft
(6.55 m)

Empty Wgt

23,656 lb
(10,730 kg)

MTOW

45,702 lb
(20,730 kg)

Wgt Diff

+22,046 lb
(+10,000 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Grumman XTB2F-1 production variant)

Installed: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22 air-cooled radial piston engines developing 2,100 horsepower each and driving three-bladed propeller units.

Max Speed

336 mph
(540 kph | 292 kts)

Ceiling

30,003 ft
(9,145 m | 6 mi)

Range

3,700 mi
(5,955 km | 11,029 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Grumman XTB2F-1 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

PROPOSED:
1 x 75mm autocannon in starboard side nose blister.
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in portside nose position.
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in dorsal turret.
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in ventral turret.
4 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in the wing roots.

OPTIONAL:
A bomber or torpedo (x2) load of up to 8,000lb.

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft heavy machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Graphical image of an aircraft aerial torpedo

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 0

G-55 - Grumman company model covering the work on the XTB2F-1.

XTB2F-1 - Base Developmental Designation; mock-up completed.

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