Douglas A2D Skyshark

History of Douglas A2D Skyshark

The Douglas A2D "Skyshark" originated from the post-World War II United States Navy (USN) need for a propeller-powered carrier aircraft with long range and performance comparable to earlier turbojet naval models. The A2D is essentially an offshoot of Douglas' classic AD "Skyraider" from the Vietnam War (1955-1975), which has been in successful service since its introduction in 1946. Nonetheless, due to the changes required to meet the new USN requirements, A2D is almost a completely new and largely independent development.

Despite its promising design, the A2D was limited to 12 aircraft, as the issue of anticipated Allison engine modifications was never fully resolved while turbojet technology advanced.

Douglas was commissioned to carry out a similar project in 1945 when the US Navy demanded the use of turbine-powered carrier aircraft. Although three designs were submittedincluding one with a counter-rotating propeller arrangementnone was selected for development, but in June 1947 Douglas was again commissioned by the U.S.

Navy to develop a carrier-based attack aircraft , this time relying on a turboprop propulsion scheme. The aircraft was intended to operate on the Casablanca-class compact escort carriers in service at the time, as about 50 of this type were completed during the wars of World War II (1939-1945).

Two prototypes were ordered in 1947, codenamed "XA2D-1". The production model will be commissioned by the A2D "Skyshark".

The first flight of the prototype took place over Edwards Air Force Base on March 26, 1950. Progress was severely stalled when the prototype crashed on December 19 of that year, killing the pilot.

The cause centered on the complex and all-new Allison engine, which failed, causing the rapid descent and subsequent high-impact runway crash. This inevitably forced changes to the second prototype, completed in April 1952.

Delays in the full version of the touted Allison engine, coupled with advances in turbojets, all entered the new war the US Navy was committed to fighting in Korea (1950-1953), which was in contrast to the expanding The Skyshark plan goes the opposite way. Nevertheless, serial production was commissioned and a pre-series form was created. The complete Allison engine was introduced in 1953, but a test flight on a test flight prototype ended with a broken propeller. Somehow, the test pilot managed to land the plane safely.

This event further cemented the program in 1954, when the USS Casablanca was almost completely decommissioned and a new turboprop attacker was no longer needed.

Of the 12 completed Skyshark aircraft, only 8 have actually flown, two of which were initial prototypes. The first prototype was only in the air for 20 hours before crashing. Engine problems and changing times contributed to the failure of the Skyshark program.

When completed, the XA2D-1 prototype is 12.6 meters long, with a wingspan of 15.2 meters and a height of 3.7 meters. It has a curb weight of 12,900 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 22,960 pounds. The Allison XT40-A-2 turboprop engine produces 5,100 horsepower.

This gives the plane a top speed of 501 mph, a range of up to 2,200 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 48,100 feet. The climb rate is 7,290 feet per minute.

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