North American FJ-4B
North American FJ-4B (AF-1E) Fury
The North American Fury is a navalized version of the F-86 Sabre. The FJ-4B version of the Fury was designed in 1956 specifically to provide the U.S. Navy with a nuclear strike aircraft. Equipped with the Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) computer and carrying one nuclear weapon on the inboard left wing the FJ-4B served until the early 1960s when most were phased out of service. A total of 222 FJ-4B Furies were built.
Service History
This Fury, Bureau Number 139531 is the first FJ-4B built and served as the prototype. It was built by North American Aviation and was officially delivered to the Navy on December 14, 1956 although its first flight was on December 3, 1956.
December 1956 Research and Development, Naval Air Station Columbus, Ohio.
February 1960 Overhaul and Repair, Bureau of Weapons, Naval Air Station Alameda, California.
| Wingspan | 39 ft 1 in. |
Wingspan |
| Length | 36 ft 4 in. |
Length |
| Height | 13 ft 11 in. |
Height |
| Weight | 23,700 lbs (loaded) |
Weight |
| Max. Speed | 680 MPH |
Maximum Speed |
| Service Ceiling | 46,800 ft |
Service Ceiling |
| Range | 2,020 miles |
Range |
| Engines | One Wright J-65-W-16A turbojet with 7,700 pounds thrust |
Engine |
| Crew | 1 |
Crew |
Manufacturer
North American
Markings
Prototype flight testing, Naval Air Station Columbus, Ohio, 1956
Designation
FJ-4B
Serial Number
139531
September 1961 Naval Air Reserve, Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois.
December 1962 Redesignated AF-1E.
October 1963 Naval Air Reserve, Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia.
April 1965 Placed in storage at Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia.
May 1978 Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Naval Aviation Museum.