The FJ-4 Fury was the final and most extensively redesigned version of North American’s carrier-based Fury family, itself derived from the famous F-86 Sabre. Development began in June 1953 under the company designation NA-208, and the Navy ordered 152 aircraft, all delivered by March 1957. The FJ-4B was developed as a dedicated ground-attack version, strengthened with six underwing weapons stations (compared to four on the FJ-4) and an additional pair of speed brakes beneath the fuselage to aid in dive attacks. The last FJ-4B was delivered to the Navy in May 1958.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal, single-seat, swept-wing jet fighter-bomber derived from the F-86 Sabre, with six underwing weapons stations and additional fuselage-mounted speed brakes for dive attacks.
Crew: 1
Length: 36 ft 4 in
Wingspan: 39 ft 1 in
Height: 13 ft 11 in
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 13,778 lbs / 23,700 lbs
Powerplant: One Wright J65-W-16A turbojet engine, 7,700 lbs of thrust
Maximum speed: 680 mph
Range: 2,020 miles
Service ceiling: 46,800 ft
Weapons
Armament: Four 20 mm cannons.
Ordnance: Up to 3,000 lbs, including capability to carry a nuclear weapon on the inboard wing station via the Low-Altitude Bombing System.
Key Accomplishments
The FJ-4B was equipped to carry a nuclear weapon on its inboard wing station using the Low-Altitude Bombing System, making it one of the Navy’s early carrier-based nuclear strike aircraft.
This aircraft (Bureau #143568) was flown during a notable milestone: while serving with a squadron in Hawaii, the unit’s commander, Lt. Col. Carl E. Schmidt, recorded the squadron’s 10,000th accident-free flight hour in this aircraft.
Build Date
1956
Manufacturer
North American Aviation
Dates of Service
1956 – mid-1960s
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #143568
Credit
On loan from The National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command.
Display Status
This aircraft was flown by multiple Navy and Marine Corps squadrons, including service at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, and Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The aircraft was later delivered to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, where it was flown until its retirement in the mid-1960s. The Museum restored the aircraft in both 2004 and 2016, with the latter restoration updating its paint scheme to Willow Grove markings. The aircraft displays the name of Col. Sylvester Lapkewicz, USMC (Ret.), a former commanding officer of VMF-218 at Willow Grove, in tribute to his service and his time flying this aircraft.
Status: On display.
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