View source for Engineering:Douglas F4D Skyray

{{Short description|US carrier-based jet-powered interceptor}}
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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name = F4D (F-6) Skyray
 |image = File:Douglas F4D-1 Skyray in flight c1957.jpeg 
 |caption = 
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
 |type = Fighter aircraft
 |manufacturer = [[Company:Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas Aircraft Company]]
 |designer =
 |first flight = 23 January 1951
 |introduced = 1956
 |retired = 1964
 |status= Retired
 |primary user = United States Navy
 |more users = United States Marine Corps
 |produced = 1950–1958
 |number built = 422
 |unit cost =
 |developed from =
 |variants with their own articles =
 |developed into = [[Engineering:Douglas F5D Skylancer|Douglas F5D Skylancer]]
}}
|}

The '''Douglas F4D Skyray''' (later redesignated '''F-6 Skyray''') is an American [[Engineering:Carrier-based aircraft|carrier-based]] fighter/interceptor designed and produced by the [[Company:Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas Aircraft Company]]. It was the last fighter produced by the [[Company:Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas Aircraft Company]] prior to its merger with McDonnell Aircraft to become [[Company:McDonnell Douglas|McDonnell Douglas]].

Development of the Skyray was started by Douglas during the late 1940s as the ''D-571-1'' design study. It was a [[Engineering:Delta wing|delta wing]] interceptor capable of a high rate of climb as to permit the rapid interception of approaching hostile bombers. Douglas' proposal was selected by Navy officials to fulfil a formal requirement issued in 1948. The decision to adopt the [[Engineering:Westinghouse J40|Westinghouse J40]] [[Engineering:Turbojet|turbojet]] engine to power it would lead to considerable difficulties later on as this engine would be cancelled prior to entering production. Aerodynamic issues would also lead to a protracted development cycle, considerable design changes being made even after the [[Engineering:Maiden flight|maiden flight]] of a production standard Skyray having taken place in June 1954. The Skyray was declared ready for fleet introduction in April 1956, permitting its entry to service with both the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) shortly thereafter.

The Skyray had a relatively brief service life, during which it never participated in actual combat. Despite this, it was the first [[Engineering:Aircraft carrier|carrier]]-launched aircraft to hold the world's absolute speed record, having attained a top speed of 752.943&nbsp;mph,<ref name="Enzo92">Angelluci 1987, p. 92.</ref><ref name = "caygill 175">Caygill 2006, p. 175.</ref> (1,211.744&nbsp;km/h).<ref name="frnp480">Francillon 1979, p. 480.</ref> It also set a new time-to-altitude record, flying from a standing start to {{convert|49221|ft|m|0}} in two minutes and 36 seconds, all while flying at a 70° pitch angle. The last Skyrays were withdrawn from service in February 1964, although a handful continued to be flown for experimental purposes by [[Organization:National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics|National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics]] (NACA) up to the end of the decade. The [[Engineering:Douglas F5D Skylancer|F5D Skylancer]] was an advanced development of the F4D Skyray that ultimately did not enter service.

==Design and development==
The Skyray originated within a design study, the ''D-571-1'', performed by Douglas and funded by the United States Navy (USN). It was a fast-climbing pure interceptor that used a [[Engineering:Delta wing|delta wing]] configuration and powered by a pair of Westinghouse J34 [[Engineering:Turbojet|turbojet]] engines, which were equipped with [[Engineering:Afterburner|afterburner]]s for bursts of additional acceleration.<ref name = "thomason 129143">Thomason 2008, pp. 129, 143.</ref> The D-571-1 had a relatively thick wing with no conventional fuselage save for a pod-like cockpit in a forward position. A total of four 20mm cannons extended forward of the [[Engineering:Leading edge|leading edge]] of the wing, alternative armaments consisted of spin-stabilized rockets.<ref name = "thomason 143"/> The design study had harnessed the designs and research of the German aerodynamicist [[Biography:Alexander Lippisch|Alexander Lippisch]], who moved to the United States following the end of [[Social:World War II|World War II]]; his work had been examined by several of Douglas' design team.<ref name = "caygill 157">Caygill 2006, p. 157.</ref> In June 1947, the Navy issued a contract to Douglas to proceed with preliminary investigation and engineering works on the concept up to the mockup stage.<ref name = "thomason 143">Thomason 2008, p. 143.</ref>

As the design was refined, it was decided to substantially reduce the wing's thickness to increase its high speed capabilities.<ref name = "thomason 143144">Thomason 2008, pp. 143-144.</ref> The twin J34 engine arrangement was also swapped out for a single [[Engineering:Westinghouse J40|Westinghouse J40]] engine. Only a single hydraulic system was incorporated, thus measures to permit manual reversion in the event of hydraulic failure were also included.<ref name = "thomason 144"/> Rockets also became the primary armament, which were housed in pylon-mounted pods underneath the wing. A formal operational requirement was issued by the Navy in 1948, however, according to aviation author Tommy H. Thomason, it was an apparently foregone conclusion that the contract would be awarded to Douglas from the onset.<ref name = "thomason 144"/> Specifics of this requirement included the ability to intercept and destroy an enemy aircraft at an altitude of 50,000&nbsp;ft (15,240&nbsp;m) within five minutes of the alarm being sounded.<ref name="Enzo91">Angelluci 1987, p. 91.</ref> At the time, Navy planners were particularly concerned by the threat posed to its [[Engineering:Carrier battle group|carrier battle group]]s by high altitude [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet]] bomber aircraft; furthermore, as early jet aircraft were fuel hungry and had limited endurance, to maximise an interceptor aircraft time on station it was particularly desirable for such an aircraft to possess a relatively high rate of climb so that it could be launched and rapidly reach its operational altitude.<ref name = "thomason 128129143">Thomason 2008, pp. 128-129, 143.</ref>

[[File:Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray prototype aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), in October 1953.jpg|thumb|The XF4D-1 prototype aboard {{USS|Coral Sea|CVA-43|2}}, in October 1953.]]
On account of the numerous design changes, the mockup review was delayed by almost one year, taking place in March 1949.<ref name = "thomason 146">Thomason 2008, p. 146.</ref> One criticism produced at this stage was that the nose-up attitude was greater than had been anticipated, necessitating changes to the aircraft's nose and [[Engineering:Radome|radome]] to improve the pilot's external visibility.<ref name = "thomason 146"/> A more pressing issue would be the J40 engine intended to power the aircraft. Douglas' design team had decided to make accommodations to facilitate the use of other engines as a contingency measure;<ref name = "thomason 152">Thomason 2008, p. 152.</ref> this approach proved to be quite fortunate as the J40 had a particularly troubled development, being eventually cancelled with no production units ever being delivered.<ref name = "thomason 129">Thomason 2008, p. 129.</ref> As a temporary measure, the prototype had to be outfitted with an Allison J35 engine instead.<ref name = "caygill 157"/>

The long-term replacement for the J40 on production aircraft was the Pratt & Whitney J57, a more powerful but considerably larger engine. As the original inlet design was not a good match for the J57, it had to be redesigned.<ref name = "thomason 151152">Thomason 2008, pp. 151-152.</ref> The ensuing delays to the programme led to several other aircraft, such as the [[Engineering:North American F-100 Super Sabre|North American F-100 Super Sabre]] and the [[Engineering:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19]], beating it into operational service.<ref name = "caygill 157"/>

During June 1954, the first flight of a production standard Skyray occurred, after which an intense period of flight testing and remedial design work followed.<ref name = "thomason 152"/> The aft section needed to be reprofiled to eliminate undesirable buffeting as well as to reduce [[Physics:Drag#Aerodynamics|drag]]. In September 1955, initial carrier suitability trials were performed onboard USS Ticonderoga.<ref name = "thomason 152"/> No production aircraft were delivered until early 1956, it was declared ready for fleet introduction in April of that year.<ref name = "thomason 152"/> A total of 419 ''F4D-1'' (later designated ''F-6'' under the unified designation system) aircraft would be produced prior to the end of production in 1958.

The Skyray was a wide delta wing design with long, sharply swept, rounded wings. It was named for its resemblance to the [[Biology:Manta ray|manta ray]].<ref name="Gunston67">Gunston 1981, p. 67.</ref> The thick wing roots contained the air intakes that fed its single [[Engineering:Turbojet|turbojet]] engine. Fuel was contained both in the wings and the deep fuselage. Leading edge slats were fitted for increased lift during takeoff and landing while the [[Engineering:Trailing edge|trailing edge]]s comprised mostly [[Engineering:Elevon|elevon]] control surfaces.<ref name = "thomason 144">Thomason 2008, p. 144.</ref> Additional [[Physics:Aircraft principal axes#Transverse axis (pitch)|pitch]] [[Engineering:Trim tab|trimmers]] were fitted inboard near the jet exhaust, and were locked upwards on takeoff and landing. It had a relatively unique design for the era, which was a key factor in the Skyray becoming one of the best-known early [[Engineering:Jet aircraft|jet]] fighters. It was affectionately known as the "Ford" (after the "Four" and "D" of its designation).<ref name="Gunston70">Gunston 1981, p. 70.</ref> During 1953, Edward H. Heinemann was awarded the Collier Trophy in recognition of his design work on the F4D.<ref>[http://www.naa.aero/html/awards/index.cfm?cmsid=155 "Collier Trophy awards."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211200939/http://www.naa.aero/html/awards/index.cfm?cmsid=155 |date=11 December 2008 }} ''National Aeronautic Association''. Retrieved: 27 February 2008.</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:F4D VF-74 CVA-42 radar.jpg|thumb|APQ-50A radar of an F4D-1]]
[[File:Douglas F4D-1 VF(AW)-3 in flight over San Diego.jpg|thumb|F4D-1 of VF(AW)-3 in flight over San Diego.]]

During April 1956, VC-3 became the first squadron to attain operational status with the F4D-1.<ref name="Enzo92"/> This unit was later redesignated VFAW-3 and assigned to NORAD, becoming the only United States Navy fighter squadron in what was predominantly a {{wipe|United States Air Force}} (USAF) and {{wipe|Royal Canadian Air Force}} (RCAF) organization. VFAW-3 was permanently based at NAS North Island in San Diego.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) also operated the Skyray. When the Department of Defense adopted a uniform aircraft designation system patterned on the USAF's aircraft designation system during September 1962, the F4D was redesignated as the ''F-6A Skyray''. The ''F4D'' (old designation) should not be confused with the ''F-4D'' (new designation) – the latter being the "D" variant of the [[Engineering:McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]] operated by the USAF.<ref name = "thomason 266">Thomason 2008, p. 266.</ref>

The Skyray was designed exclusively for the high-altitude interception role, with a high rate and angle of climb. It set a new time-to-altitude record, flying from a standing start to {{convert|49221|ft|m|0}} in two minutes and 36 seconds, all while flying at a 70° pitch angle.<ref name="Enzo92"/> As a dedicated interceptor, the F4D was unsuited to the multi-mission capabilities that became increasingly in demand, thus the type had a relatively short career in both USN and USMC service. In addition to multiple Navy and Marine Corps squadrons, Naval Air Reserve and Marine Air Reserve squadrons VF-881, VF-882 and VMF-215 also flew the Skyray. The last operational squadron was VMF(AW)-115, which flew the Skyray until February 1964. A total of four aircraft were used for experimental purposes by the [[Organization:National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics|National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics]] (NACA) (which was later renamed [[Organization:NASA|NASA]]) until 1969.<ref name="Gunston73">Gunston 1981, p. 73.</ref>

===F5D Skylancer===
The F5D Skylancer was derived from the F4D and intended to be a Mach 2 capable successor to the Skyray. Although four prototypes were built and flown, the project was cancelled as being too similar in mission parameters to the [[Engineering:Vought F-8 Crusader|F8U Crusader]] and also to reduce dependence upon Douglas Aircraft, which was also producing several other aircraft for the U.S. Navy.<ref name="Gunston73">Gunston 1981, p. 73.</ref><ref name = "thomason 230231">Thomason 2008, pp. 230-231.</ref> This decision effectively removed Douglas from active fighter development.<ref name = "thomason 262">Thomason 2008, p. 262.</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:Douglas F4D-1 Skyray of VMF-115 in flight, 4 April 1957 (NNAM.1996.253.7328.029).jpg|thumb|F4D-1 Skyray]]
;XF4D-1
:Prototypes; redesignated '''YF-6A''' in 1962, two built.

;F4D-1
:Single-seat fighter aircraft, production model; redesignated '''F-6A''' in 1962, 420 built.

;F4D-2
:Re-engined F4D-1 with the J57-F-14, 100 on order cancelled.

;F4D-2N
:F4D-2 version with extended nose housing twin radar scanners, project only evolved into the F5D Skylancer.

==Operators==
[[File:F4D-1 VF-102 CVA-59.jpeg|thumb|Formation of two VF-102 F4D-1 Skyrays]]
[[File:F4D-1 VMF-542.jpg|thumb|F4D-1 of VMF-542]]
;{{USA}}
* United States Navy
**VFAW-3
**VF-13
**VF-21
**VF-23
**VF-51
**VF-74
**VF-101
**VF-102
**VF-141
**VF-162
**VF-213
**VF-881
**VF-882
* United States Marine Corps
**VMF-113
**VMF-114
**VMF-115
**VMF-215
**VMF-314
**VMF-513
**VMFA-531
**VMF(AW)-542
**VX-3
* NACA/[[Organization:NASA|NASA]]

==Aircraft on display==
[[File:USMC F-4D1 Skyray101.JPG|thumb|USMC F4D-1 BuNo 139177 from the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum]]

;XF4D-1
*124587 – U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, {{wipe|California}}. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.<ref>[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/skyray-124587.html "F4D Skyray/124587."] ''warbirdregistry.org'' Retrieved: 26 October 2012.</ref>

;F4D-1 (F-6A)
* 134748 – Pima Air and Space Museum adjacent to {{wipe|Davis–Monthan Air Force Base}} in Tucson, Arizona. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum.<ref>[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/douglas-f-6a-skyray "F4D Skyray/134748."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407092641/http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/douglas-f-6a-skyray |date=7 April 2015 }} ''Pima Air and Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 27 January 2015.</ref>
* 134764 – [[Engineering:Naval Air Station Patuxent River|Naval Air Station Patuxent River]] in St. Mary's County, Maryland. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum.<ref>[http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=8349 "F4D Skyray/134764."] ''aerialvisuals.ca'' Retrieved: 27 January 2015.</ref>
* 134806 – National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.<ref>[http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f4d_skyray "F4D Skyray/134806."] ''National Naval Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 27 January 2015.</ref>
* 134836 – Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in {{wipe|New York City}}. Originally on display at the New England Air Museum before relocating to Intrepid in 2021.<ref>[https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/skyray/ "Intrepid Museum Skyray."] ''Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 24 April 2022.</ref>
* 134936 – Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colorado.<ref>[http://www.pwam.org/images/display/f6askyry.jpg "F-4D Skyray/134936."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030221825/http://www.pwam.org/images/display/f6askyry.jpg |date=30 October 2013 }} ''Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum''. Retrieved: 29 February 2008.</ref>
* 134950 – Aviation Heritage Park at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum.<ref>[http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=14146 "F4D Skyray/134950."] ''aerialvisuals.ca'' Retrieved: 27 January 2015.</ref>
* 139177 – Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum.<ref>[http://flyingleathernecks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Aircraft_Listing.pdf "F4D Skyray/139177."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011185627/http://flyingleathernecks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Aircraft_Listing.pdf |date=11 October 2017 }}  ''Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 27 January 2015.</ref>

==Specifications (F4D-1)==
[[File:Douglas F-6A Skyray 3-view line drawing.png|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Douglas F-6A Skyray]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''The American Fighter''<ref name="Enzo92"/>
|prime units?= kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= 1
|length ft= 45
|length in= 3
|length note=
|span ft= 33
|span in= 6
|span note=
|height ft= 13
|height in= 0
|height note=
|wing area sqft= 557
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil= '''root:''' [[Physics:NACA airfoil|NACA 0007-63/30-9.5]]; '''tip:''' [[Physics:NACA airfoil|NACA 0004-5 63/30-9.5]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1 = Lednicer |first1 = David |title = The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url = https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website = m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date = 16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb= 16,024
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb= 22,648
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb= 27,116
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8, −8A or −8B
|eng1 type= afterburning turbojet engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf= 10,200
|eng1 lbf-ab= 16,000
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kts= 627
|max speed note=at sea level
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range nmi= 610
|range note=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range nmi= 1,040
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft= 55,000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ftmin= 18,300
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft= 41
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|thrust/weight= 0.71

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 4 × 20 mm [[Engineering:Colt Mk 12 cannon|Colt Mk 12 cannon]], two on each wing just aft of the leading edge, mid-wing, underside, with 65 rounds/gun
|bombs= 2 × 2,000 lb (907 kg) bombs
|missiles= 4 × [[Engineering:AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9 Sidewinder]] [[Engineering:Air-to-air missile|air-to-air missile]]s
|rockets=<br/>
** 6 pods of 7 2.75 in (70 mm) unguided rockets ''or''
** 4 pods of 19 2.75 in (70 mm) unguided rockets
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
* APQ-50A radar
* Aero 13F fire-control radar
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Engineering:Douglas F5D Skylancer|Douglas F5D Skylancer]]
|similar aircraft=
* Dassault Super Mystere
* [[Engineering:Grumman F-9 Cougar|Grumman F-9 Cougar]]
* [[Engineering:Grumman F-11 Tiger|Grumman F-11 Tiger]]
* [[Engineering:McDonnell F3H Demon|McDonnell F3H Demon]]
* [[Engineering:North American FJ-4 Fury|North American FJ-4 Fury]]
* [[Engineering:Vought F7U Cutlass|Vought F7U Cutlass]]
|lists=
* [[Engineering:List of fighter aircraft|List of fighter aircraft]]
* List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last = Angelucci |first = Enzo |title = The American Fighter |location = Sparkford, Somerset, UK |publisher = Haynes Publishing Group |date = 1987 |isbn = 0-85429-635-2}}
* {{cite book |last = Caygill |first = Peter |title = Sound Barrier: The Rocky Road to MACH 1.0+ |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=oBvOAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA157 |publisher = Casemate Publishers |date = 2006 |isbn = 1-84415-456-4}}
* {{cite book |last = Francillon |first = René J. |title = McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920 |location = London, UK |publisher = Putnam |date = 1979 |isbn = 0-370-00050-1}}
* {{cite book |last = Frankel |first = Mark |title = Killer Rays: The Story of the Douglas F4D Skyray and F5D Skylancer |location = North Branch, Minnesota, US |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2010 |isbn = 978-1-58007-155-0}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Green |first1 = William |first2 = Gerald |last2 = Pollinger |title = The Aircraft of the World |location = London, UK |publisher = Macdonald |date = 1955}}
* {{cite book |last = Gunston |first = Bill |title = Fighters of the Fifties |location = Cambridge, UK |publisher = Patrick Stephens Limited |date = 1981 |isbn = 0-85059-463-4}}
* {{cite magazine |last = Posey |first = Carl |title = Beautiful Climber |magazine = Air & Space |date = July 2006}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Williams |first1 = Nick |first2 = Steve |last2 = Ginter |chapter = Douglas F4D Skyray |title = Naval Fighters No. 13. |location = Simi Valley, California, US |publisher = Ginter Books |date = 1986 |isbn = 0-942612-13-2}}
* {{cite book |editor-last = Winchester |editor-first = Jim |chapter = Douglas F4D Skyray |title = Military Aircraft of the Cold War ''(The Aviation Factfile)'' |location = London, UK |publisher = Grange Books |date = 2006 |isbn = 1-84013-929-3}}
* {{cite book |last = Winchester |first = Jim |title = Fighter: The World's Finest Combat Aircraft, 1913 to the Present Day |location = New York, US |publisher = Barnes & Noble Publishing and Parragon Publishing |date = 2006 |isbn = 0-7607-7957-0}}
* {{cite book |last = Roux |first = Élodie |title = Turbofan and turbojet engines: database handbook |publisher = Ed. Elodie Roux |year = 2007 |isbn = 978-2-9529380-1-3 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_5vA_5XK33sC&pg=PA262 |access-date = 28 January 2019}}
* Encyclopédie illustrée de l'aviation n°196 - Editions Atlas
* {{cite book |last1 = Thomason |first1 = Tommy H. |title = U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters, 1943-1962 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XkYcBQAAQBAJ |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2008 |isbn = 978-1-58007-110-9}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070805072633/http://www.vectorsite.net/avskyray.html Douglas F4D Skyray]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080321194750/http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/skyray.htm Boeing history, F4D]
* [http://ccdemo.info/AircraftPix/Skyray.html VFAW-3 photos and history]

{{US fighters}}

[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]

{{Sourceattribution|Douglas F4D Skyray}}