F4D Skyray

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:45 pm

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

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7822

Interesting airplane. The whole tail assembly is fascinating.

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:41 pm

Thanks Mark. Aint seen a Skyray in quite some time. :drink3:

wendovertom · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:53 pm

OHHHH!! I love this jet!! :drink3:

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 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:35 pm **Posts:** 636

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 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:40 pm

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

Dave Downs · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:44 pm

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

wendovertom · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:05 pm

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 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7822

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 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:39 pm

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 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:40 pm

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:55 am

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:32 pm

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 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:22 am

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 :axe:

Tailspin Turtle · **Joined:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:11 am **Posts:** 103

Aeronut wrote:

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.

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F4D Skyray

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