NOTE:
RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The first U.S. Navy aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight, the Douglas F4D Skyray set numerous world aircraft performance records.
Its origins trace back to German aircraft engineering
experiments with delta wings that impressed U.S. designers. When the
United States Navy started looking for a new fighter aircraft to
operate from its carriers, Douglas Aircraft proposed the delta wing
design.
The
second prototype set a speed record when, on Oct. 3, 1953, it flew
to 752.9 mph.
On May 22 - 23, 1958 a Douglas F4D Skyray piloted by USMC Maj. Edward LeFaivre set a
total of five time-to-climb records including 49,212 feet in two
minutes 36 seconds.
The aircraft was known for its fast climb, extreme
maneuverability, high roll rate, and over all speed. Its
shortcomings were a relatively short range without external fuel tanks, instability at transonic speeds, and a steep glide ratio. Adding to the general instability of the aircraft were landing gear
which did not raise and lower simultaneously. This caused the aircraft to skid sideways when the landing gear were initially activated.
The
Douglas F4D Skyray never saw combat, although one USN unit was assigned to the North
American Air Defense Command for bomber interceptor duties.
It is said that before being retired, the aircraft were used at the U.S. Navy Test Pilots School to demonstrate how unstable aircraft flew.
A total of 420
Douglas F4D Skyray aircraft were built before production ended in Dec. 1958. The last ones flew until the end of the 1960's.
Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Thrust:
Length:
Wingspan:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Cannons:
Missiles:
Ordnance:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
First Flight:
Year Deployed:
interceptor
one
P&W J57
16,000 lbs.
33' 6"
45' 3"
16,024 lbs.
27,116 lbs.
4- 20 mm
2 sidewinder
4,000 lbs.
520 mph
720 mph
18,300 fpm
55,000 feet
1,200 miles
1/5/51
1956
Radio
Control Airplane
RC Airplane from RC Warbirds.
Radio Control
Airplanes:
You have some good choices if you want a F4D Skyray RC Airplane.
Fan-Tastic Models has a 13" wing span GWS EDF40 powered rc F4D Skyray ARF for a really small EDF.
RC
Warbirds has the 25.5" wing span RC F4D Skyray pictured above. Recommended power can come from a
Typhoon EDF 2W, 3W or 2W-20 driving a WeMoTec 480 Mini Fan. The RC
Airplane has a plywood and balsa fuselage with balsa covered foam
wings. All up weight should be around 38
oz.
In
the first picture below is the Mark Frankel F4D Skyray RC kit sold
by Model Specialties. The RC Airplane has a length of 78" and a wing
span of 58". Recommended power comes
from 17 - 21 lb. thrust turbines.
The
second picture below is from Corsair Nut of RC Groups who took one of
his F4D Skyray pusher prop RC Airplanes and converted it to EDF power. It has a 28" wing span and a 37" length. Powering
the RC Airplane is a 300 Kv outrunner heli motor. All up weight is 21.5 oz.
If
you don't want to use EDF or turbine power, Parkjets has three sizes
of pusher prop F4D Skyray RC Airplanes to choose from. All are made from foam and designed by Corsair Nut. He
is shown in the last picture below with his RC Airplane. Wing spans are 24", 32" or 42".
Do you have a favorite F4D Skyray RC airplane? If you know of any rc F4D Skyray plan, arf or kits please email us.
