Douglas A2D "Skyshark"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for December, 1950
by Jo Kotula
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The Douglas A2D Skyshark was a turboprop-powered attack aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy. The need to operate from Casablanca-class escort carriers dictated the use of a turboprop instead of jet power because a turboprop ran at near full RPM all the time, and thrust could be quickly generated by simply changing the propeller pitch.

     

Douglas A2D "Skyshark"
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Although the Skyshark had its first flight in 1950, a "production" engine was not available until 1953. By the summer of 1954, the A4D was ready to fly. The escort carriers were being mothballed, and time had run out for the troubled A2D program. Due largely to the failure to produce a reliable engine, the Skyshark never entered operational service. Twelve Skysharks were built and only one survives on static display at the airport at Idaho Falls,

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