The development was started in early July 1944, and all night efforts of engineers made the first prototype's first flight possible already on March 18, 1945. Despite the short period of the development, flight trials proved the airframe's flight characteristics satisfactory and the aircraft was rated very highly. In May 1945 a letter of intent for 598 production was signed. The name "Skyraider" was officially approved for the aircraft in February of the following year, and the distribution to units was started at the end of the same year. The Skyraider was powered by Wright R3350 radial engine yielding 2,800 horse power and equipped with three large dive brakes on the fuselage.