Page 7 - Aerotech News and Review, May 18 2018

SKYSHARK, from 6
craft introduced a new sound to the constant whine of young jet engines. As a matter of fact, an indirect effect of the Skyshark’s power was soon noticed by personnel working around the aircraft, who found that ear plugs provided insufficient protection from the racket. Vibration from the operating engine introduced a “buzz” in their bones and joints that made it uncomfortable to remain in the area.
On May 26, 1950, George Jansen, a decorated World War II and Douglas test pilot, made the first flight that lasted two minutes and covered only five miles. The low vibration had him quickly shutting down the engines to prevent heavy engine damage, after a couple of flight inputs to check basic flight char- acteristics. On June 1 a 13-minute flight took place, followed by a 35-minute flight on June 2. There were so many squawks that the fourth flight did not take place until Oct. 18, when the flights finally became a bit more routine and aver- aged about an hour in length. By the Dec. 8, the prototype had made a total of 14 flights and had reached a top speed of 475 knots and an altitude of 27,000 feet. At this point there was enough data for the Navy to begin its preliminary evaluation of the Shark.
On Dec. 19, Navy pilot Lt. Cdr. Hugh Wood took the Skyshark up to perform
Courtesy photograph Above and left: The Douglas A2D Skyshark sits on the flightline at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
some dive tests when ground crews on a mobile unit on the lakebed noticed a puff of smoke and vapor coming from the aircraft when the dive brake closed. The ground crew radioed Wood and asked if everything was OK and he replied in the affirmative. After a flyby on the lake bed for a visual inspection, gremlins started to make their presence known as the aircraft with gear down made a landing approach. Coming in at a high rate of speed and at a 30 degree angle, the aircraft struck the lakebed and was destroyed, taking the life of the pilot in the ensuing fire. It had made 23 flights and had accumulated 19.35 hours of flight time. It wasn’t until April 3, 1952, that the second prototype made its first flight, with George Jansen back at the controls.
Not long after, the Skyshark fell out of favor with the Navy, as the design and engines con- tinued to be plagued with problems. The Navy turned their attention to the very capable A-4
See SKYSHARK, Page 8
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