In June 1945, barely weeks after the XBT2D-1 (aka the A-1 Skyraider) had flown, Douglas was asked to submit a proposal for a similar aircraft, but this time powered by a turboprop engine. Several  XBT3D proposals were put forth, all based on the Skyraider airframe. None of them went past the concept stage.

Douglas was later requested to develop an aircraft that would not only serve as a testbed for turboprop development, but also to develop an attack aircraft using this powerplant. This would become the A2D Skyshark. Originally two prototypes were developed around the Allison XT-40. At first it was thought that a Skyraider modification would suffice, however the power of the XT-40 was nearly twice that of the R-3350 in the SPAD, so an entirely new airframe was developed. The XT-40 was basically two T-38 turbines that drove a counter-rotating propeller via a common gearbox. Like the Gannet, it was possible to shut down one engine and have the aircraft fly on the other. Unlike the Gannet, the single engine drove both props.

First flight was in May 1950 and the go ahead was given for 10 production aircraft. However, extreme teething problems with the powerplant and gearbox pretty well doomed the project. Though all ten production aircraft were built, the last four did not fly. The development of the A4D Skyhawk spelt the death knell for the Skyshark and a subsequent order for 339 aircraft was cancelled. I know that there is at least one Skyshark around as I have seen it at Chino, CA in the late 1970s. As to its whereabouts, that is unknown.

When it comes to real quality vacuforms, there are a few names that rise to the top. Koster Enerprises is one, so is Esoteric, and you can add to that list Dynavector. From the introduction of their first kit, the Fairey Gannet, Dynavector  kits have been hailed as top-notch, top-quality kits. Every review I have read gushes with praise about the logical engineering, the quality of the mold and the superb resin/metal bits that are included in the kit.

So let's take a look. The first thing you notice is that the kit comes in a nice, sturdy, cardboard box. Upon opening it, one first sees the instruction and decal sheet. Underneath are two white sheets of vacuformed plastic. Examining the parts shows superb detail and minimal 'pips' (those small bubbles that are common to vac kits). A nice touch is an additional set of prop hubs as well as a spar for the tailplanes so you can get the proper dihedral.  Taped to the underside of one of the sheets is a very heavy bag of metal parts. These bits include such things as rocket and racks, struts and wheels, prop blades and engine exhausts, tail hook and hook well. In addition, there are a number of other bits for the interior like seat and stick as well as various antenna, and other attachments.

There is a complete breakdown of the metal parts so that you can be sure that you have all the bits. Most of the smaller bits had broken away from the metal sprues in my kit so this is very handy to have.  There is no construction sequence to speak of, however, detail areas such as the cockpit, alignment of wings, landing gear installation and the assembly of the contra-rotating prop have been given separate detail sections. There is also a large three-view showing parts and decal placement. Speaking of decals, there are markings for three aircraft provided. All three are quite similar  varying only slightly in terms of paint or appointments. The large decal sheet does offer a full data suite that was so common with these aircraft.

While not a kit for the beginner, those with a reasonable amount of vacuform building experience should be able to produce a superb model. Face it, where else will you get an accurate Skyshark in this scale?

McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920: Volume 1, by Rene Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1988

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

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