Douglas A2D Skyshark 3-view plans

A2D Skyshark 3-view plans, from US patent files

Not long after the Douglas Skyraider first flew, the company began looking for ways to adapt the design to turbine power. After considering various schemes, Douglas settled on a design, that although it was clearly inspired by the Skyraider, was no mere derivative of the AD. The heart of Skyshark was an Allison XT40A-2 turboprop; this was actually a conglomeration of two T38 engines driving the contra-rotating propellers through a common crankshaft. The XT40 was to produce over 5,000hp in addition to over 800lbs of jet thrust, and one of the engines could be shut down for more fuel efficiency during cruise flight or loitering near a battlefield waiting for a call for ground support. However, the engines, propellers, and crankshaft would all produce problems, and these would spell the Skyshark's eventual doom.

The XT40's problems were protracted , and this helped restrict A2D production to a mere ten A2D-1s. Replacing the Skyraider with a jet design would end up taking until the arrival of the A-6 Intruder, and the last ADs would not be retired from carrier air wings until 1968.

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