Douglas A2D Skyshark

[No.1]

The Douglas A2D Skyshark was a turboprop-powered attack aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy.

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 41 ft 3 in (12.58 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
Height: 17 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
Wing area: 400 ft² (37 m²)
Empty weight: 12,900 lb (5,864 kg)
Loaded weight: 18,700 lb (8,500 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 22,960 lb (10,436 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Allison XT-40-A-2 turboprop, 5,100 shp (3,800 kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 435 kn (501 mph, 813 km/h)
Range: 1,900 nmi (2,200 mi, 3,520 km)
Service ceiling: 48,100 ft (14,664 m)
Rate of climb: 7,290 ft/min (37 m/s)
Wing loading: 47 lb/ft² (230 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.27 hp/lb (440 W/kg)

Armament
Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) T31 cannon
Other: 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) on 11 external hardpoints

[No.1]

Second and last pack of images... 

[Nico Braas]

Design of the Skyshark was very sound and it would have been a welcome successor of the Skyraider. However, it was marred by a very unreliable engine that never gave its full output and problemsome contra rotating propeller. Only two prototypes were built.
It was a machine more or less similar to the British Westland Wyvern.

[Second Air Force]

I've always found this to be one of those airplanes I just can't get enough of looking at. It is like a Wyvern, Gannet, or the Barracuda--it grows on you the more you study it!

I was going to refurbish my old Microscale model but now I think I will try to find a Dynavector kit or perhaps another Microscale to do a new-build project. As I look at my old effort I've decided I'll keep it intact so I can remember building it the first time thirty years ago.

Douglas A2D Skyshark

The only survivor, BuNo 125485, (never flown) is being restored to static display standard by Pacific Fighters in Idaho.

Great photos, No.1!
Scott

[No.1]

Thank you

[Second Air Force]

Now I must ask y'all a question--has anyone on the forum any leads to a Dynavector Skyshark kit? I might be able to acquire another Microscale A2D but I'd at least like to entertain the idea of the better kit.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

[Letipapa]

What an interesting airplane
Great photo's