Douglas A2D Skyshark
| A2D Skyshark | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Attack aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| First flight | March 26, 1950 |
| Status | Canceled |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 12 (4 never flew) |
| Developed from | A-1 Skyraider |
The Douglas A2D Skyshark was an American turboprop-powered attack aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy.
On 25 June 1945, the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) asked Douglas Aircraft for a turbine-powered, propeller-driven aircraft. Three proposals were put forth in the next year and a half: the D-557A, to use two General Electric TG-100s in wing nacelles; the D-557B, the same engine, with counter-rotating propellers; and the D-557C, to use the Westinghouse 25D. These were canceled, due to engine development difficulties, but BuAer continued to seek an answer to thirsty jets.
On 11 June 1947, Douglas got the Navy's letter of intent for a carrier-based turboprop. The need to operate from Casablanca-class escort carriers dictated the use of a turboprop instead of jet power. The advantages of turboprop engines over pistons was in power-to-weight ratio and the maximum power that could be generated practically. The advantage over jets was that a turboprop ran at near full RPM all the time, and thrust could be quickly generated by simply changing the propeller pitch.
While resembling the AD Skyraider, the A2D was an entirely different airplane, as it had to be, the Allison XT-40-A2 at 5,100 hp (3,800 kW) having more than double the horsepower of the Skyraider's R3350, with the XT40 installation on the Skyshark using contra-rotating propellers to harness all the available power. Wing root thickness decreased, from 17% to 12%, while both the height of the tail and its area grew.
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