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Douglas Skyray
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Specifications
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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 |
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The first U.S. Navy aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight, the Douglas Skyray, designated the F4D, 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 Douglas Skyray set a speed record when, on Oct. 3, 1953, it flew to 752.9 mph. On May 22 - 23, 1958 a Douglas 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 Douglas Skyray was known for its fast climb, extreme maneuverability, high roll rate, and overall 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 Douglas Skyray 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 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, Douglas Skyray aircraft were used at U.S. Navy Test Pilots School to demonstrate how unstable aircraft flew.
A total of 420 Douglas Skyray aircraft were built before production ended in Dec. 1958. The last ones flew until the end of the 1960's.
Douglas Skyray
 The Douglas Skyray from RC Warbirds.
Pictured right above is the Douglas Skyray from RC Warbirds. It has a 25.5" wingspan and can be driven by a Typhoon EDF 2W, 3W or 2W-20 motor turning a WeMoTec 480
Mini Fan.
Construction is a plywood and balsa fuselage with balsa
covered foam wings. It weighs about 38 oz.
Parkjets has a number of plans for the Douglas Skyray. These are foamy park flyers powered by pusher props. Wingspans are 24", 32", and 42".
RBC Kits has a Douglas Skyray kit. Its wing span is 25 1/2" and length is 32". It needs a brushless motor turning a 480 fan unit. Weight is about 2 lbs.
The first two pictured immediately below are of the turbine powered Douglas Skyray built by Mark Frankel. Length is 78" and wingspan is 58".
The third picture below is Corsair Nut from RC Groups and his Douglas Skyray. Wing span is 37". Power comes from a 300 Kv heli motor. All up weight is 21.5 oz.
The last picture below is of the colorful Douglas Skyray for sale by Global Jet Club. It has a wingspan of 46" and is 61" long, with a weight of around 13 1/2 lbs. You will
need from 8 to 14 lb. thrust turbine engines or the equivalent motor and EDF to power it.
You can find a Douglas Skyray profile kit for sale at 6mm Fly RC. It is pusher prop powered with a 28" wingspan and a length of 37". Weight is about 20 oz.
Jet Hangar Hobbies has a Douglas Skyray with a 28 1/2" length that is 37" long. It needs a motor and 480 size EDF unit. Weight is around 4 3/4 lbs.
Shenzhen FMS Hobby Co., Ltd., Hong Kong has a Douglas Skyray kit, ARF or RTF for sale. It has a wingspan of 25 1/2" with a 36" length. It comes with a motor turning a 64 mm fan unit. All up weight is around 21 oz.
Shenzhen Great Bo-King Development Co., Ltd., China has a 25.5" wingspan Douglas Skyray for sale as either a kit, ARF or RTF.
RC Flying Zone has a Douglas Skyray. The ready to fly scale rc airplane has a wingspan of 25 1/2" and is 36" long. Included is a radio, flight battery and speed controller.
Jets Over Baguio, Philippines, has a profile pusher prop Douglas Skyray for sale. It is a foamy with a 22" wingspan.
You can find plans for a Douglas Skyray at Free RC Plans.com.
Foam Plans has plans for a Douglas Skyray with a wingspan of 22" and a length of 27".
Email us.
Douglas Skyray
The Douglas Skyray by Mark Frankel.
Douglas Skyray
Frankel's Douglas Skyray.
Douglas Skyray
Corsair Nut and his Douglas Skyray.
Douglas Skyray
Global Jet Club Douglas Skyray.
Albert Wahrhaftig of RC Groups posted an article and pictures of a Douglas Skyray.
Joe 1320 of RC Groups posted about a new Douglas Skyray for sale.
At RC Groups mac started a Douglas Skyray build thread.
At RC Universe clscale-RCU was looking for Douglas Skyray plans.
At RC Universe salat posted a link to Douglas Skyray plans.
Hobby-Lobby has Douglas Skyray decals for sale.
Brodjack of WattFlyer RC posted a link to a store selling the Douglas Skyray.
At WattFlyer RC georgaf747 had questions about powering his Douglas Skyray.
Geoff of WattFlyer RC was asking about the correct battery and its positing for his Douglas Skyray.
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Douglas F4D Skyray
