F4D Skyray Stars & Stripes Rocks Glass

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The F4D Skyray was a distinctive delta-winged interceptor designed for high-speed, high-altitude interception missions during the early Cold War. Nicknamed the “Ford” due to its F4D designation, the Skyray was built for one purpose: to get off the carrier deck fast and climb rapidly to intercept incoming enemy bombers, particularly in a nuclear-armed era where every second counted. Its unique shape and blistering climb performance made it one of the most advanced naval fighters of its time.

First flown in 1951 and entering service in 1956, the F4D was powered by a Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engine with afterburner, enabling it to become the first carrier-based aircraft to exceed Mach 1 in level flight. It also held time-to-climb records that outpaced many of its contemporaries. Its large delta wing gave it excellent low-speed handling for carrier landings, while also supporting rapid ascent rates and supersonic dash capabilities.

The Skyray served with both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, primarily in the interceptor role. It was assigned to several fleet squadrons during the late 1950s, though its operational service was relatively short due to the rapid evolution of fighter design in that era. The Marines also operated the Skyray from land bases, where its speed and radar made it a capable point-defense fighter.

Despite never seeing combat, the F4D was notable for being the last fighter designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company before its merger with McDonnell. A total of 419 Skyrays were built. It was withdrawn from frontline service by the mid-1960s, replaced by more versatile multi-role aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom II. While its time in service was brief, the F4D Skyray remains a remarkable example of 1950s aerospace innovation—a futuristic-looking, high-performance interceptor that brought supersonic speed to the carrier deck ahead of its time.