Photos by author
The D-558-2 and A2D's under construction at El Segundo. (National
Archives)
Foreward:
This column is to be used as a forum for
all those of you who have said 'I wish they made a model of that.' Here is your
chance to put forth ideas on models that are significant or important to you in
the hope that some designer might see it and be inspired. This column will not
be limited to just aircraft, so send in those ideas for buildings, cars,
whatever.
I will start off this new column with two aircraft that are significant in my family history. When I was very young, my father work for Douglas Aircraft in thier Naval Experimental Aircraft Division (see photo above).The two aircraft were the D-558-2 Skyrocket and the A2D Skyshark.
The First Model:
The A2D was designed as an attack
aircraft capable of operating unescorted against jet fighter opposition while
still possessing a long range and useful pay load. They were powered by the
Allison XT40-A-6 Turboprop turning contra-rotating propellers giving it that
neat 'shark' look. The long development time and advancements in new jet engines
spelled the end of the Skyshark and all orders were cancel by the Navy. Twelve
aircraft were completed, four of which were never flown.
The Second Model:
The D-558-2's intended purpose was
exploring transonic and supersonic flight. She appeared in three configurations.
The first was rollout jet version, second was the hybrid jet/rocket combination
and the last was the pure rocket.While flying NACA 144 (aircraft number 2), on
November 20, 1953, Scott Crossfield became the first person to break twice the
speed of sound (Mach 2.005), earning him the title of 'The Fastest Man
Alive'.
In Conclusion:
Fellow members here is your chance to
spark some designer(s), so send in those ideas to me or Saul and we will try to
put them in this column. Designers, need some new ideas? Keep an eye on
this page. Designers should you like more info on these two aircraft (i.e.
photos, drawings or other data), contact me at borg.richard@ssd.loral.com.
