F4D Skyray

[Fouga23]

Any Skyrays that could potentially be returned to the air? such a wonderful shape to see in flight

[Mark Allen M]

Interesting airplane. The whole tail assembly is fascinating.

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Sun Jun 19, 2016 8:51 am, edited 2 times in total.

[cooper9411]

Thanks Mark. Aint seen a Skyray in quite some time.

[wendovertom]

OHHHH!! I love this jet!! The only one I know of in private hands is Merle Maine's. And that is technically not a "Skyray" but a "Skylancer" but what I would not give to see one flying again.

Tom P.

[Versatile]

At one time wasn't there a SKYRAY up on top of a pile at Lazrovs Salvage yard in Memphis and then it went back east somewhere?

[Fouga23]

It's like an A-4 but so much sexier

[Dave Downs]

OK - what the heck is the bomb-like thing I've pointed out????

[wendovertom]

Interesting! Seems way to close to an airfield to be dropping ordnance or even dummy ordnance! But I also note the heat signature behind the jet - looks like he is pouring on the power, almost like a release and pull up and away move?! Someone else here probably has a far better idea. . . Randy??

Tom P.

[Mark Allen M]

I believe that's a 'watermark' of some sort on the photo, I've seen a few other photos with that same deal going on. Hmmm! go figure.

[Aeronut]

I have a suspicion that the bomb shaped object is a towed target and what looks like a building bewtween it and the aircraft is the support tube from the outer wing pylon.
Off to find the book on target towing aircraft to confirm it - unless someone beats me to it.

[The Inspector]

The 'weapon' looks airbrushed, just a better job than the Soviets did in the same time frame, maybe to try to sell it as a use extender to the airframes lifespan?
Heinemann was right on the money when he designed the FORD, even today with a few changes of lines it would look very contemporary and might even be fairly stealthy.

[tom d. friedman]

i've read that the skyray was 1 of the top aircraft of all that was influenced & conceived from luftwaffe late war technology. if anybody is interested i have a 50's era R.G. SMITH print of the for sale. $100.00 + shipping.

[Speedy]

Bob Drew, the ex F-1 pilot at Reno, was a test pilot on the Skyray program for Douglas. He said that the plane was just a dream to fly and had lots of good stories to tell about it.

[gary1954]

I suppose it is highly unlikely that one will ever see a Skyray on the airshow circus because it has the NAVY disease attached to it.. ..I'm surprised they haven't rounded up any of the suviving airframes and put them all down at PNS

[Tailspin Turtle]

I have a suspicion that the bomb shaped object is a towed target and what looks like a building bewtween it and the aircraft is the support tube from the outer wing pylon.
Off to find the book on target towing aircraft to confirm it - unless someone beats me to it.