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F4D The Other Flying Fords – Step into the future with The Douglas F4D Skyray

The initial Marine Skyray squadron stood up early in 1957 as VMF(AW)-115 at MCAS Cherry Point but prior to that they trained at MCAF Mojave and, as pictured here, also saw training service with VFAW-3 of West Coast Air Defense Division out of NAS North Island. (photo courtesy of Stan Piet)

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Concept to flight In the spring of 1945, barely after V-E Day, the U.S. government sent teams from various aircraft manufacturers to Europe seeking German aeronautical records. The searchers included Douglas aerodynamicists L. E. Root and Apollo M.O. Smith who were especially interested in delta wing and tailless configurations. Upon return to California, “Amo” Smith convinced the company to conduct wind tunnel tests based on Dr. Alexander Lippisch’s work, notably the Messerschmitt 163. The tests...

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