Engine development problems delayed the first flight until May 1950. 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. Livingston successfully landed the airplane. By the summer of 1954, the A4D was ready to fly. The escort carriers were being mothballed, and time had run out for the troubled A2D program. Due largely to the failure of the Allison T40 program to produce a reliable engine, the Skyshark never entered operational service. Twelve Skysharks were built. Most were scrapped or destroyed in accidents, and only one is believed to have survived.

 General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 41 ft 3 in (12.58 m) Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m) Height: 17 ft 1 in (3.68 m) Wing area: 400 ft² (37 m²) Empty weight: 12,900 lb (5,864 kg) Loaded weight: 18,700 lb (8,500 kg) Max takeoff weight: 22,960 lb (10,436 kg) Powerplant: 1× Allison XT-40-A-2 turboprop, 5,100 shp (3,800 kW) Performance Maximum speed: 435 knots (501 mph, 813 km/h) Range: 1,900 nm (2,200 mi, 3,520 km) Service ceiling 48,100 ft (14,664 m) Rate of climb: 7,290 ft/min (37 m/s) Wing loading: 47 lb/ft² (230 kg/m²)Power/mass: 0.27 hp/lb (440 W/kg) Armament Guns: 4× 20 mm (0.787 in) T31 cannonOther: up to 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) on 3 external hardpoints

 USN 97 René Hieronymus Scale: 1:72 Building time: approx. 32 hrs.