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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Douglas XA2D Skyshark aircraft were the fastest single engine turboprops in the world with a top speed in excess of 500 mph.
Douglas XA2D Skyshark aircraft were intended as fast ground attack and troup support aircraft.
In 1945 Douglas was asked by the Navy to explore the possibility of
producing a turboprop powered carrier based attack aircraft. It was to
use the 5,100 shp Allison twin axial-flow turbine engine driving two
counter rotating propellers through a reduction gearbox. On September
25,1947, two prototype Douglas XA2D Skyshark aircraft were ordered.
The
Douglas XA2D Skyshark first flew on March 26, 1950. Almost immediately, severe
engine vibration problems appeared. However the Navy placed orders for
a total of 91 Douglas XA2D Skyshark aircraft pending solution of the vibration problems. Unfortunately
additional tests revealed problems with bearing failures, reduction
gear failures, and overheating of the rear fuselage at the engine
exhausts. Then the prototype crashed, killing the pilot.
A
second Douglas XA2D Skyshark prototype flew on April 3, 1952. It was engineered to address
the problems found with the first XA2D. However, problems with the
Allison turboprop remained.
The
first production Douglas A2D Skyshark flew on June 10, 1953, but there were
still problems with engine and gearbox failures. On Aug. 5, 1954 it
crashed, but the pilot ejected safely. With that, the remaining Douglas XA2D Skyshark aircraft at the plant were scrapped.
Although
the Douglas XA2D Skyshark was much faster than the aircraft it was to
replace, engine reliability problems could not be overcome and the
program was canceled.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cannons:
Ordnance:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Date Deployed: |
attack
one
Allison T-40
5,100 shp
12,900 lbs.
22,960 lbs.
41' 3"
50' 0"
4- 20mm
5,500 lbs.
276 mph
500 mph
7,300 fpm
48,000 feet
2,200 miles
6/10/53 |
1/48 Scale Model Airplane from Dynavector
Scale Model Airplane
1/72 Scale Model Airplane from Realplanes
Radio Control Airplanes:
We don't know of any RC Douglas XA2D Skyshark airplanes and it appears that even Douglas XA2D Skyshark scale model airplanes are rare.
The first picture immediately above is of the Douglas XA2D Skyshark scale plastic model airplane from Dynavector. The model airplane is in 1/48 scale.
The next picture is of a 1/72 scale Douglas XA2D Skyshark scale plastic model airplane from Rareplanes.
If you have built a Douglas XA2D Skyshark radio control airplane or scale model airplane, or know of a plan, kit or ARF for a RC XA2D Skyshark airplane or scale model airplane, please email us.
Suggested reading for those considering a XA2D radio control airplane:
Getting Started in Radio Control Airplanes, by Gerry Yarrish
Radio Control Airplane Workshop Secrets by the publishers of MAN
Take Off - All about Radio Control Airplanes by Alex Weiss
Radio Control Airplane Finishing & Detailing by the publishers of MAN
Radio Control Airplane How-To's by Frank Masi
Building Your First Radio Control Airplane by John Carroll
Scale Radio Control Airplanes by David Boddington
Radio Control Airplane Building Techniques by Randy Randolph
Flying radio control airplanes & helicopters by Edward L Safford
Covering Radio Control Airplanes by Faye Stilley and Tom Atwood
Advanced Guide to Radio Control Airplane Sport Flying by Douglas R. Pratt
Everything you should know about radio control airplane flying by Harold Cunningham
Radio Control Airplane Models by Michael E. Goodman
Flying Radio Control Airplane Aerobatics by Charles Allison and Andy Nicholls
Radio Controlled Airplanes by Suzanne Lord
Radio Control Airplane Aerobatics for Everyone by Dave Patrick
Basics of Radio Control Airplane Design by Andy Lennon
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