Modern Skyraider ?

[Archibald]

As mentionned in the thread  about USAF COIN aircrafts (coin coin!!) an idea has just popped into my head...

A turboprop Skyraider for COIN in the mid-70's. This machine would fit the gap between the vulnerable, light Bronco and heavier Whartog.

Why T-56 ? first, because it has 4900 hp Vs 3500 hp for the R-3350. Not too much power added.
Secondly, because I have no less than four T-56s from an Heller Herc'.

Just look at this : it seems the T-56 nacelle just fit nicely onto the Skyraider fuselage. The result would look terrific!



All I have to do is finding a SPAD now  

[Archibald]

Main problem is the propeller... three ideas
- the single prop from the Skyraider ?
- a single T-56 prop ?
- two T-56 contraprop ?
(I don't like too much the look of the Herc's props   )

I need your advices!

[tinlail]

This prop.
Herc props at Snow aviation

[Maverick]

Herc props would be my choice.  But a turboprop Skyraider is a A2D Skyshark n'est pas?  

Mav

[elmayerle]

Herc props would be my choice.  But a turboprop Skyraider is a A2D Skyshark n'est pas?

Not exactly, the Skyshark was an altogether larger aircraft using the XT40 turboprop which was essentially two gas generators from the T56's progenitor (XT38) mated to a common gearbox.  What would work nicely is to revive and update the A2D with a T54 engine (bears the same relationship to the T56 that the XT40 does to the XT38) and a bubble canopy.

Archibald, the T56 is somewhat longer than just the portion you've got there and you'll need a carefully set up exhaust installation, but it's doable with some care, though it'll likely be a longer nose.  Google on T56 to get a better idea of the dimensions involved (overall envelope length is 146.3 inches according to a listing in AW&ST).

[Archibald]

Thanks for your wise comments! My humble teoria is, at the time of the Skyshark, turboprop technology was not mature enough.
This infortunate experience with the wrong engine (too big, powerfull and unreliable) , then the birth (and huge success) of the Scooter prevented Douglas building another turboprop Skyraider later. In my alt history, the turboprop Spad  "replace" the Mustang III, O-1 and O-2 circa 1965. After the USN Skyraiders proved rather successfull in their first strikes over NVN, then shot down two MiG-17,  USAF found the plane interesting. They needed a complement to the forthcoming Bronco, and the A-37 was not ideal in this role...
They asked Douglas for a T-56, more modern variant, which was used in a wide range of roles (FAC, helos escort, CAS...).

Au fait, where's the exhaust of a T-56 (on a Herc nacelle) ? Is it behind the wing, or on the sides ?

Think I'll try to find a Heller Skyraider kit next week    

[Archibald]

Lets go for the Herc props, but what is better : a single prop, or contraprops ?
Maybe contraprops would ad too much complications to the engine ? (on the other hand, there would be no "4900hp torque"...)

[Thorvic]

Archie

The exhaust is under wing on the Herc and overwing on the Orion.

Turboprops did work during this period, don't forget the Wyvern, Gannet, Alize, as Carrier based aircraft, then theres the passenger and transport aircraft that originate to the same era (Herc goes back to the mid 50's !!!). Thus if say this was a french udgrade of their Spads, then its possible to use engines like the RR Tyne as fitted to the Transall & Atlantic, or the engine fittted to the Alize/Voltour.

G

[elmayerle]

I'd suggest the second approach with an eye toward commonality of equipment and keeping the pilot's over the nose vision reasonably good.  A long Tyne sticking out in front would definitely make landing and taxi-ing more difficult.

[Archibald]

Arrgh, seems that I have to imagine a new exhaust for the T-56... maybe a scoop exhaust below the engine, with a small part of a drop tank...

Someone have pics of a T-56 (out of its nacelle) and Orion/ Herc exhausts ?
Think I've just touched the big problem of this build (along finding a Skyraider kit where I live   )  

[Archibald]

I've found the solution while looking at my 1/72 Hawkeye (and some C-130 walkarounds on the web).
I've understood that (as Thorvic mentioned)  the exhaust is a round hole at the rear of the nacelle... this work when the engine is hanged below a wing!

Of course, if there's a... Skyraider behind the engine, that's doesn't work anymore.
So I've slaughtered an old spare bomb (which had the same diameter as the E-2 T-56 's exhausts).
Result is two D-shaped exhausts which will go on each side of the fuselage, probably around the cockpit area.  

Now all I have to do is to find a cheap, 1/72 scale Skyraider kit   and... en avant la musique!

[B777LR]

But wasnt the A2D Skyshark sorta a turboprop skyraider?

http://prototypes.free.fr/a2d1/images/a2d1_07.jpg

[ysi_maniac]

Now all I have to do is to find a cheap, 1/72 scale Skyraider kit

May I suggest Heller/Airfix?, which is the same mold

[Runway ? ...]

I've got two Airfix Skyraiders that gave up their engines some time ago. They're yours if you want them just PM me.

[Archibald]

But wasnt the A2D Skyshark sorta a turboprop skyraider?

http://prototypes.free.fr/a2d1/images/a2d1_07.jpg

Just ask Maverick    

Airfix or Heller would be perfect, please Mr Runway check your mail