Warplanes of the USA: Douglas A2D Skyshark

Douglas A2D Skyshark

(USN Photo)

Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark (BuNo. 122989) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. This aircraft made its first flight on 3 April 1952.

The Douglas A2D Skyshark was an American turboprop-powered attack aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy. The program was substantially delayed by engine reliability problems, and was canceled because more promising jet attack aircraft had entered development and the smaller escort carriers the A2D was intended to utilize were being phased out. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

The second prototype U.S. Navy Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark (BuNo 122989) in flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California (USA). This aircraft made its first flight on 3 April 1952.

(USN Photo)

The Douglas A2D Skyshark, an American turboprop-powered attack aircraft, was meticulously crafted by the Douglas Aircraft Company to serve the United States Navy. Unfortunately, its journey was plagued by substantial delays attributed to engine reliability issues. Ultimately, the program met its demise due to the emergence of more promising jet attack aircraft in development. Compounded by the phase-out of smaller escort carriers, which the A2D was designed to complement, its cancellation became inevitable.

(USN Photo)

The first U.S. Navy Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark (BuNo 122988). It crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, California (USA), on 19 December 1950, killing the pilot Lt..Cdr. Hugh Wood. An investigation later determined that the failure of one of the XT-38-A gas turbines during a test dive was most likely the cause of the crash.

(USN Photo)

The first of eight U.S. Navy production Douglas A2D-1 Skyshark (BuNo. 125480) in flight. It made its first flight on 10 June 1953 but crashed near Lake Los Angeles on 5 August 1954 after suffering a gearbox failure. The pilot ejected safely.