Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Today in Aviation History: 1951 First Flight of the Douglas F4D Skyray

January 23, 2017 F4D-1_Skyray_of_VMF-115_in_flight_in_195
FighterSweep Staff No Comments History, Marine Corps, Military Aviation, Navy

January 23, 1951 marked the first flight of the Douglas F4D Skyray carrier based fighter/interceptor jet. The F4D Skyray was the first US Navy and Marine Corps jet that could exceed Mach 1 in level flight and it held the world’s absolute speed record at just under 753 miles per hour. This airspeed record was a first for a carrier based aircraft.

Although the Skyray had a relatively short career (eight years active service 1956-1964) it was known for its high speed and the ability to intercept and destroy an enemy aircraft at an altitude up to 50,000 feet. The single engine jet had a rounded delta wing shape and was the last fighter manufacturer by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation before they merged with McDonnell Aircraft and became McDonnell-Douglas.

Watch the Official US Navy Operating Procedures for the Douglas F4D Skyray

 

A total of 419 aircraft were produced for the Navy and Marine Corps. The F4D Skyray, nicknamed the “Ford” was criticized by some for having underpowered engines which when combined with the delta wing shape made the aircraft difficult to fly.

Douglas F4D Skyray-cockpit

Photo of Douglas F4D Skyray Cockpit by US Navy

Length: 45 ft 3 in (13.8 m)
Wingspan: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Height: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
Max. takeoff weight: 27,116 lb (12,300 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8, −8A or −8B turbojet
Dry thrust: 10,200 lbf (45 kN)
Thrust with afterburner: 16,000 lbf (71 kN)

Performance:

Maximum speed: 722 mph (627 kn, 1,162 km/h)
Range: 700 mi (610 nmi, 1,100 km) combat
Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (17,000 m)
Rate of climb: 18,300 ft/min (93.3 m/s)

Featured image of U.S. Marine Corps Douglas F4D-1 Skyray (BuNo 134815), Marine Fighter Squadron VMF(AW)-115 Able Eagles in flight by US Marine Corps.

Related Posts

  • Navy to retire USS Truman aircraft carrier 25 years earlier than expectedNavy to retire USS Truman aircraft carrier 25 years earlier than expected
  • Watch Northrop Grumman’s experimental X-47B in action: America’s UCAV UFOWatch Northrop Grumman’s experimental X-47B in action: America’s UCAV UFO
  • Watch: Incredible footage of a massive C-130 landing and taking off from a carrier at seaWatch: Incredible footage of a massive C-130 landing and taking off from a carrier at sea
  • Watch: Video shot inside the cockpit of a Super Hornets as they make high-speed passes over the USS EnterpriseWatch: Video shot inside the cockpit of a Super Hornets as they make high-speed passes over the USS Enterprise
  • Exercise Chesapeake 2018: Integrating a French Navy Air Wing with the US NavyExercise Chesapeake 2018: Integrating a French Navy Air Wing with the US Navy

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • Acrobatic Couple Criticized for Stunt Beneath Landing Airliner at Maho Beach, Saint Martin
    July 11, 2018

    Acrobatic Couple Criticized for Stunt Under Landing Airliner at Maho Beach, Saint Martin

  • President Joe Biden awards medal of honor to four U.S. Army soldiers for heroism in Vietnam War. Screenshot taken from CBS News
    August 16, 2022

    4 Vietnam War Veterans Get Medal of Honor from Biden

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • Lars Dirch Sørensen This didn't age well.
  • Speir Mor Media Amazing history and pride in the old B-52! And that’s one hell of a range. [...]
  • disqus_lkVjMrnsGt As an 8th grader in 1960 I first became acquainted with the 1952 Washington [...]
  • SWS Irrational fears and misinformation is not a reason to get a waiver from a [...]

© Copyright 2022 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...