March 29, 2024

Meet the Airplane: F4D Skyray

Posted by Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
Community Builder

The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum will host its F4D Skyraynext Meet the Airplane event Saturday, April 20, 2013.

In celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the spotlight will be on the oldest aircraft on the flight line:  the F4D, a Douglas Delta wing fighter.

Our panel of F4D specialists includes Mark Frankel author of “Killer Rays,” Specialty Press 2010.   He will be available all day to sign copies of his book.

In his review of “Killer Rays,”  Dan Capps describes the F4D as “Yet another product from the team led by Chief Designer Ed Heinemann at Douglas Aircraft.” Officially known as the “Skyray,” the aircraft was known to those who flew and maintained it as the “Ford” (nothing to do with the car but the “Four” and “D” of its designation. “[It] was the first of the Naval carrier jet fighters to really give the land-based Air Force jets a run for their money.

“That the Skyray was the first carrier aircraft to hold the world speed record, a feat the XF4D-1 accomplished in October 1953, gives some indication as to its potential.”

Cmdr. Peter B. Mersky, USNR (Ret.) in a book review for Naval Aviation News says that “Killer Rays” is an excellent example of modern aircraft biography, with a fine photo selection and artwork to complement an equally excellent text.

To create his book, Mark Frankel accessed a wealth of Douglas Aircraft photos, models, artwork, engineering drawings, and related material, including transcripts of conversations with Chief Designer Ed Heinemann and Configuration Engineer R.G. Smith.

In addition to meeting the Skyray, the museum homes several original R.G. Smith Paintings which will be on display during the April 20 event.

R.G. Smith’s work is so highly regarded in military circles that in 1973 he was designated by the United States Navy “Honorary Naval Aviator” (number 10).

Our own local World Famous Artist, Hank Caruso, “Honorary Naval Aviator” (number 27) will be on hand to talk art, talk airplanes, and to lead our panel of specialists in a discussion of the F4D (aka ford).

For additional information please contact the Museum Association office, call 301-863-1900 or email [email protected]

 

Leave A Comment