Gallaudet D-2

Overview

The Gallaudet D-2 was a prototype American biplane observation aircraft built by the Gallaudet Aircraft Company during World War I for the United States Army. Based on the earlier Gallaudet D-1, the D-2 had more powerful engines and had other improvements. The first prototype was completed in 1917, but crashed before it was accepted so Gallaudet had to build a replacement at its own expense. Two aircraft were completed in 1918, but further development ceased after the last one crashed with the death of the pilot, the first aviator to be killed in Rhode Island. All aircraft built or in the process of being constructed were subsequently scrapped.