Douglas Skyshark

[van883]

Inspired by the MK show and the Vietnam Tigercat seen on this site, I decided to build this Douglas Skyshark as a Vietnam era Sandy.





Much as I like some of the "stick a turboprop on a WW2 era fighter" builds I think this is (slightly) more feasible. The big problem with the turbo WW2 fighter is the VERY long nose that arises from it. Hard to land, difficult to see targets etc! I remember reading that this was one of the issues with the Piper Enforcer. The Firebrand had similar problems-hence the Firecrest had a raised cockpit. Not that that was any good either....

Van

[Jschmus]

The Skyshark was a decent airplane, I think, but it was undone by the crappy engine.  Maybe if it were fitted with something better...

[van883]

The Skyshark was a decent airplane, I think, but it was undone by the crappy engine.  Maybe if it were fitted with something better...

I was referring to the Firebrand and Firecrest....

I imagine the Skyshark would have been good had the technology been better in the early 50s

Van

[JayBee]

Hi Van883,
I like your idea. I have something half painted at the moment that is similar but in a different direction.
deffinately 'Nam, but what lost out to the Spad in real time?
JayBee

[kitnut617]

Wasn't so much the engines, more of the gearbox which coupled the two engines.  It was the same for the Convair Pogo which used the same engine combination.  I can't see that the problem was insurmountable though, considering all the coupled engines that are running today especially in helicopters.

Is that the Anagrand kit Van?  I've got one of those along with a Rareplane vacuform.

Robert

[van883]

Is that the Anagrand kit Van?  I've got one of those along with a Rareplane vacuform.

Its is the Anigrand kit

Van

[Jschmus]

Hi Van883,
I like your idea. I have something half painted at the moment that is similar but in a different direction.
deffinately 'Nam, but what lost out to the Spad in real time?
JayBee

That would be the Martin AM-1 Mauler, and they still managed to build and field 150 of those.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_Mauler

[sotoolslinger]

Wow that is cool

[noxioux]

Super cool.  I'm a big AD fan anyhow, and the Skyshark is one of my faves.  This rocks!

[NARSES2]

Interesting to see your construction stages Van, built mine a little differently.

Here's my RAN version - which was at MK but didn't make the table (table was already full enough)

Chris

[Captain Canada]

Beauty. She's gonna look great in Vietnam era colours.

And great job on your own as well, Chris !

A very cool looking aeroplane.

[van883]

Interesting to see your construction stages Van, built mine a little differently.

Here's my RAN version - which was at MK but didn't make the table (table was already full enough)

Chris

Nice one Chris-great minds think alike! 

[JayBee]

You know Jschmus, you might be right, but then again it could be the Boeing F8B-3. Valom do a nice kit of the prototype XF8B-1.
Anyway, when the model appears it will be the A-1K, new tri-service designation.
Watch and learn.

JayBee

[Rafael]

Veeeeery interesting!!!

What will she carry under the wings?

Rafa

[jcf]

You know Jschmus, you might be right, but then again it could be the Boeing F8B-3. Valom do a nice kit of the prototype XF8B-1.
Anyway, when the model appears it will be the A-1K, new tri-service designation.
Watch and learn.

JayBee

He is correct, the Boeing was built to a different specification for a different purpose.
The F8B was a long-range escort fighter with a secondary fighter-bomber role, the others
were dedicated attack aircraft.

The Skyshark was the follow on to the Skyraider and was the result of many studies, one of which was the D-557C.

Jon