Douglas F4D Skyray

The Douglas F4D Skyray was a carrier-based interceptor noted for its distinctive rounded delta wing, which inspired its name. Designed by Douglas under Ed Heinemann to climb rapidly and intercept incoming aircraft, it first flew in January 1951. Like several contemporaries it was originally intended for the troubled Westinghouse J40 engine, and only after switching to the Pratt & Whitney J57 did it reach its potential, entering service in 1956.

The Skyray was a strong climber and in 1953 a prototype set a world speed record of over 750 mph; it later set several time-to-climb records. As the first carrier-based aircraft to hold a world absolute speed record and the first Navy fighter capable of exceeding Mach 1 in a dive, the "Ford," as crews called it, served fleet and Marine squadrons and was the only Navy fighter ever assigned to the North American air defense command, NORAD. Production totaled 421 aircraft.