Douglas F4D-1/F-6A Skyray (late production, J57-P-8 engine)

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

Aircraft: Douglas F4D-1/F-6A Skyray (late production, J57-P-8 engine)

 

Classification: Single-engine, carrier-based jet interceptor

 

Visuals:

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description: A carrier-based interceptor, the F4D-1 Skyray was a high-performance aircraft that was the first carrier aircraft to hold the absolute speed record in the world, and is notable for being the first USN/USMC fighter to exceed Mach 1 in level flight.

 

The Skyray had a tailless delta configuration, which was a highly unusual design choice for the time period, considering that even the Gloster Javelin retained a tail despite it’s prominent delta wing. Unlike the Javelin or other delta-winged aircraft such as the F-102 or F-106, the F4D-1 employed a wide design with rounded wing tips that were sharply swept. The wings incorporated leading-edge slats for increased lift at low speeds, and the trailing edge included elevons for pitch control. Pitch trimmers were also fitted inboard at the jet exhaust - these would be locked in the up position during takeoff and landing.

 

Although Douglas initially intended for the Westinghouse J40 to be used in F4D-1, prolonged development with that engine led to a decision in early 1953 to use the Pratt & Whitney J57 engine instead. Early production Skyrays used the J57-P-2 variant, while definitive late production Skyrays would go on to use the more powerful J57-P-8 series of engines. Due to the rapid pace of jet development in the 1950s, this improvement occurred quite early on in the F4D-1’s life, especially as more advanced armament such as missiles were fitted to the aircraft.

 

Because it was intended to be an interceptor, the F4D-1 Skyray featured a Westinghouse AN/APQ-50 radar that had a notable range of 18 miles (29 km) and a lock-on range of 12 miles (20 km). Delays in delivery of the radar meant that some of the very first Skyrays off the production line weren’t fitted with a radar.

 

Ultimately the Skyray presented a significant leap forward in aviation for US naval operation. F4D-1s started delivery in early ‘56 to VC-3 squadron. It wasn’t until a year later that the Marine Corps would receive their Skyrays, with VMF-115 being the first squadron to do so. Production of F4D-1s ended in late ‘58, leading to a very short production span.

 

Douglas attempted to modify the F4D-1 Skyray into a new, improved variant known as the F5D-1 Skylancer, but this prototype never made it into serial production.

 

Fuel and Oil Data:

Internal Fuel Capacity: 640 gallons (640 gal in 2 wing tanks total)

Oil Capacity: 3 gallons

 

Engine Data:

Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney

Designation: J57-P-8 or - 8B

Type: two rotor axial turbojet

Compressor Stages: 16-stage axial-flow compressor

Combustion Chamber: cannular

Tail Pipe Nozzle: 2 position

Fuel Grade: JP-4

 

Power Data:

Afterburner Power: 16000 lbf @ 6050 RPM

Military Power: 10200 lbf @ 6050 RPM

Normal Power: 8700 lbf @ 5750 RPM

 

Dimensional Data:

Length: 45.4 ft

Height: 13 ft

Wing Span: 33.5 ft

Wing Area: 557 sq. ft

Wing Loading: 39.51 lbs/sq. ft @ clean interceptor combat weight

 

Weight Data:

Empty Weight: 16024 lbs

Combat Weight: 22648 lbs
Combat Weight for clean condition (Interceptor, full internal fuel): 22008 lbs

Maximum Field Takeoff Weight: 28000 lbs

Fuel Weight: 4352 lbs

 

General Performance Data (Interceptor w/ Full Fuel, clean combat condition, 22008 lbs - unless otherwise specified):

Max Speed: 627 knots (1161.2 kph) @ SL

Maximum Rate of Climb @ SL:  18300 ft/min (92.96 m/s)

Power-off, flaps-up Stall Speed (landing weight of 18877 lbs, clean condition): 100 knots (185.2 kph)

Takeoff Distance @ SL (4x Sidewinders, 2x 150 gal external fuel tanks): 2740 ft

Combat Ceiling: 52100 ft (afterburning)

 

Maximum Speeds (Interceptor w/ clean configuration, full fuel, afterburner):

At SL: 627 knots (1161.2 kph)

At 10000 ft: 620 knots (1148.2 kph)

At 20000 ft: 600 knots (1111.2 kph)

At 30000 ft: 578 knots (1070.5 kph)

At 35000 ft: 566 knots (1048.2 kph)

At 40000 ft: 563 knots (1042.7 kph)

At 50000 ft: 542 knots (1003.8 kph)

 

Maximum Speeds (Interceptor w/ 4x Sidewinder Missiles, full fuel, afterburner):

At SL: 623-625 knots (1153.8-1157.5 kph)

At 35000 ft: 565 knots (1046.4 kph)

 

NOTE: exact climb:altitude figures have limited accuracy due to SAC graph resolution.

Rate of Climb (Interceptor w/ clean configuration, full fuel, afterburner):

At SL: 18300 ft/min (93 m/s)

At 10000 ft: ~15200 ft/min (77.2 m/s)

At 20000 ft: ~17500 ft/min (88.9 m/s)

At 30000 ft: ~12400 ft/min (63 m/s)

At 35000 ft: 9300 ft/min (47.2 m/s)

At 40000 ft: ~6200 ft/min (31.5 m/s)

At 50000 ft: ~1900 ft/min (9.7 m/s)

 

Rate of Climb (Interceptor w/ 4x Sidewinder missiles, full fuel, afterburner):

At SL: 17300 ft/min (87.9 m/s)

At 35000 ft: 8400 ft/min (42.7 m/s)

 

Armament:

 

Guns: 4x Colt Mk.12 Mod 3 20mm cannon (280 rounds total, 70 RPG)

 

Bomb/Rocket/Missile Ordnance: 

• 4x Aero 14B/C 2.75” rocket packs on wing hardpoints (7-19 rockets per pack)
• 4x AAM-N-7 Sidewinders

 

Sources:

[1] Standard Aircraft Characteristics: Navy Model F-6A Aircraft, NAVAIR 00-110AF6-1,1 July 1967

[2] Flight Handbook Navy Model F4D-1 Aircraft, AN 01-40FBA-1, 15 November 1957, Revised 1 February 1960

[3] Supplement to AB 01-40FBA-1 Flight Handbook for Navy Model F4D-1 Aircraft, AN 01-40FBA-1A, 15 December 1956, Revised 15 June 1957

[4] Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1: The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP, and VFA Squadrons by Roy A. Grossnick, Washington 1995 1st Naval Historical Center. ISBN 0-16-045296-1

 

Edited January 10, 2019 by Aquilachrysaetos

[Princess_Pinch 5,625]

Open for discussion. 

[Trotrodor 2,670]

+1 love to "sea(lul) this one in the game, even tho the ammo count is ... crape

Edited January 8, 2019 by Trotrodor

[dotEXCEL 5,969]

+1

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

Yes yes yes yes

[Milocat 4,857]

This would be a good tier 6 plane, I think.  +1.

[_M4RC0S_ 22]

Grandfather of the F-16 XL

[Wilhuff_Tarkin_ 467]

Yes please +1

[VonSchwendeman 10]

This airplane should have been introduced already.  Excellent climb rate, a near one to one thrust rating at low fuel levels, and low wing loading should make it fun to fly.  Thanks for all the research.

 

Have fun, VonSchwendeman

Edited March 10, 2019 by VonSchwendeman

[Nostadad 428]

+1

[Spindash64 1,244]

Gib more Heinemann

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

didn't know there was a suggestion for that plane , i want it so bad , no matter if it's in the TT , premium or event plane !

[AspandaIV 376]

+1 preferably placed in-between the F8U and the F3H-2

Edited April 29, 2021 by AspandaIV

[AVROVULCANXH558 349]

Yes yes yes, a beautiful American type that definitely deserves its place in War Thunder, and aircraft that is also forgotten nowadays, unfortunately.

 

 

+100 from me

[akulapanam 5]

Definitely room for more 50s era naval planes

[MLGSwagPilot2 66]

I'd love to see this in game, as well as the other 1950s - 60s USAF and USN/ USMC planes. I love that Early cold war style!

 

[CubicSquare 156]

A capable UFO. We need this!

[oom1992 649]

I not sure that F4D-1 from Summer Quest new event vehicle is early or Late ? Early production use Pratt & Whitney J57-P-2 or Late production use Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8 

https://warthunder.com/en/news/7798/current

Edited August 3, 2022 by oom1992

[MONTECARLOSS 116]

Anyone know if it had the capability to carry the aim-9d? The f4d was still in service when the aim-9d was put into service. It actually overlapped for a few years.

Edited August 3, 2022 by MONTECARLOSS
Spelling

[Flame2512 3,386]

11 hours ago, MONTECARLOSS said:

Anyone know if it had the capability to carry the aim-9d? The f4d was still in service when the aim-9d was put into service. It actually overlapped for a few years.

There wasn't any overlap. The F4D was retired in 1964. The AIM-9D entered service in 1965.

[oom1992 649]

 I look from this clip video, F4D-1 use Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8 in 1.03, then it's late production same this suggestion, not sure that this suggestion move to Implemented Suggestions soon ?

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by oom1992

[DarkLordMagus 44]

8 hours ago, oom1992 said:

 I look from this clip video, F4D-1 use Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8 in 1.03, then it's late production same this suggestion, not sure that this suggestion move to Implemented Suggestions soon ?

 

 

In which case the F4D-1 (Early) needs to be suggested so there can be a tech tree Skyray.

[El Bananito@live 829]

+1

[ChocolateCrisps 60]

Looks like the one newly added is the late production version with the J57-P-8, so I guess this suggestion's mostly redundant now.

 

Looks like in-game they've got the ammo count a bit wrong though (only by 20 rounds, but still odd).

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the Late Production F4D-1 has been implemented with the Summer Quest event,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.