time on the lost airframe was barely 20 hours. Allison failed to deliver a "production" engine until 1953, and while testing an XA2D with that engine, test pilot C. G. "Doc" Livingston pulled out of a dive and was surprised by a loud noise and pitch up. His windscreen was covered with oil and the chase pilot told Livingston that the propellers were gone. The gearbox had failed, but Livingston successfully landed the airplane. The A4D was ready to fly by the summer of 1954, but the escort carriers were being mothballed, so time had run out for the troubled A2D program. Twelve Skysharks were built, two prototypes and ten pre-production aircraft. Most were scrapped or destroyed in accidents, and only one has survived. Aircraft on display A2D-1 Skyshark, BuNo. 125485, is at the Gillespie Field Annex of the San Diego Air & Space Museum in El Cajon, California. It was restored for static display by Pacific Fighters. Specifications (A2D-1) See also Notes Bibliography Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume I. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1988. . Heinemann, Edward, H. and Rausa, Rosario. Combat Aircraft Designer. London: Jane's Publishing, 1980. . Markgraf, Gerry. Douglas Skyshark, A2D Turbo-Prop Attack (Naval Fighters No. 43). Simi Valley, CA: Ginter Books, 1997. . McCullough, Anson. "Skyshark", Wings 25(5), October 1995, pages 18–20 AD2 Skyshark Carrier-based aircraft 1950s United States attack aircraft Aircraft with contra-rotating propellers Low-wing aircraft Single-engined turboprop aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1950