A2D Skyshark

The Skyshark's engine was mounted underneath the forward-mounted cockpit, driving a huge contra-rotating propeller.

The Douglas A2D Skyshark was a turboprop-powered attack aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy. Work started in 1945, at which time the Navy did not have faith in jet-powered aircraft for carrier-based service. First flight was in 1950. The Skyshark began as a turboprop version of the AD Skyraider, but eventually was an entirely different airplane. Due largely to the failure of the Allison T40 program to produce a reliable engine, the Skyshark never entered operational service.

Specifications (XA2D-1)

General Characteristics

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

Performance

Maximum speed: 501 mph (813 km/h)
Range: 2,200 miles (3,520 km)
Service ceiling: 48,100 ft (14,664 m)
Rate of climb: 7,290 ft/min (2,222 m/min)
Wing loading: 47 lb/ft² (230 kg/m²)
Power/Mass: 0.27 hp/lb (0.44 kW/kg)

Armament

4x 20mm T31 cannon
up to 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) of disposable stores on 3 hardpoints

References

Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark by J. Baugher