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The Skyray was first proposed in 1947 as an attempt to make use of information on delta-wing designs captured from Germany at the end of World War II. Problems with engine development delayed the first flight until 1951, but the aircraft proved to be very successful. In 1953, a F4D-1 broke the world absolute speed record with an average speed of 752.944 miles-per-hour. It was also the first Navy aircraft to be capable of flying at Mach 1 in level flight. The Skyray entered operational service in 1956 and served until 1964
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| Wingspan |
33 ft 6 in |
| Length |
45 ft 3 in |
| Height |
13 ft |
| Weight |
22,008 lbs (loaded) |
| Maximum Speed |
722 mph |
| Service Ceiling |
55,000 ft |
| Range |
700 miles |
| Engines |
1 Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet, 9,700 pounds thrus |
| Crew |
1 |
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