The Douglas F4D Skyray was a carrier-borne interceptor and fighter used by the US Navy during the Cold War years. This manta-winged, jet aircraft had a fast rate of climb and an excellent performance. However, it was tricky to fly, with a high accident rate, especially during carrier operations. The main mission of this advanced combat aircraft was to guard the US Fleet against attack by Soviet bombers. Douglas built a total of 422 aircraft, which served on every fleet carrier. After a short career, it would be replaced by the F-8 Crusader.
Designed by Ed Heinemann, the Skyray prototype, the XF4D-1, first flew on the morning of January 21, 1951. The pilot was Larry Payton, and experienced test pilot, and it was powered by an Allison J35-A-17 jet engine, which produced 5,000 pounds of thrust. The flight test program, which included the deck handling phase, would be long, lasting five years as they looked for the right engine. Finally, this naval combat aircraft was introduced into service with the US Navy in August 1956 as the F4D-1, which was the first version. It would be retired eight years later, in 1964, thus, not seeing combat action in Vietnam.
Technical Description
The Douglas F4D Skyray was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane. It had an all-metal fuselage and a modified-delta mid wing. It lacked the classical tail assembly as it had no tailplane (horizontal stabilizer), only the vertical fin and rudder; the triangular elevators moved freely on both side of aft portion of fuselage, right behind the wing trailing edge. The F4D-1 variant of the aircraft was powered by one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8A turbojet engine, which was rated at 10,205 pounds of thrust. The engine air intakes were located on each side of fuselage. The fuel was stored in fuel cells distributed in wing and fuselage mid-section.
Below, the Skyray prototype XF4D-1 in flight in 1951
Specifications
Type: carrier-based, all-weather interceptor/fighter
Length: 13.79 m (45 feet, 3 inches)
Wing Span: 10.21 m (33 feet, 6 inches)
Wing Area: 51.75 m2 (557 square feet)
Height: 3.96 m (13 feet)
Power Plant: one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8A turbojet engine.
Maximum Speed: 1,164 km/h (722 mph)
Rate of Climb: 93 m/s (18,300 feet/minute)
Range: 1,930 km (1,200 miles)
Service Ceiling: 16,764 m (55,000 feet)
Avionics: AN/APQ-50 radar
Armament: four internal 20-mm cannons; four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; two 454-kg (1000-lb) bombs.
Crew: one
Below, two F4D Skyray aircraft flying over the Mediterranean in 1959.
video of Skyray operations on carrier (footage)
Below, front view of the Skyray, with wing folded.
Two F4Ds rolling out of echelon, banking right. You can see the auxiliary disposable fuel tank for longer range flight.
Below, two Skyray aircraft on flight deck of a USS carrier in the Pacific.
