The above slides from Bill S show the XA2J-2 which was created in response to the request from BuAer to create an all ground attack aircraft. It is entirely different from the XA2J-1 flown by Bob Baker of NAA. This -1 was delayed over a year due to engine development problems (XT40) but there were other reasons for its cancellation. The following are excepts from the history of the aircraft for the “Preparedness Investigative Subcommittee” headed by Lydon Johnson, written by BuAer Lee M Pearson and signed by R.N.Dixon dated 17 Dec, 1957:
“Mock-ups of the revised XA2J-1 and the XA3D-1 designs were held concurrently 12-22 September 1949.”
“While the two designs were undergoing development and the airframes were being constructed, the Navy, as part of the three-fold expansion in naval aircraft procurement which followed the outbreak of the Korean Conflict, found it necessary to procure a limited number of high performance heavy attack aircraft. This meant that a selection had to be made between the A2J and the A3D, even though neither aircraft had flown.
“For various reasons, the A3D was selected for production rather than the A2J. Subsequently, the A3D was determined to meet all essential requirements for a heavy atttack aircraft and the XA2J contract was terminated.”
“Important in this determination was a decision first publicly announced in April, 1952, after tests held in January-March, 1952, that steam catapults would be adapted for use on U.S. aircraft carriers. When such catapults were installed in smaller carriers, limitations involved in operating A3D’s from them would be considerably relaxed.”