North American FJ-4B Fury

North American FJ-4B Fury. . , As the Korean War (1950-1953) focused attention on advancements in Russian aircraft technology, especially to the MiG-15, the Navy sought a fast way to acquire a fighter with better performance. At that time, the F-86 Sabre, which had developed from the original Fury, could easily defeat the MiG-15. Converting the Sabre into a carrier fighter led to the Fury family of jet aircraft., Produced as the last and definitive version, the FJ-4B or Fury Bravo possessed a strengthened wing to handle the Martin Bullpup missile system. Powered by a Wright J65-W-1 6A Sapphire turbojet, the Fury arrived equipped with the Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) from the Air Force F-86H. This system could deliver tactical nuclear weapons by automatically computing the exact time of bomb release, both to ensure hitting the target and allowing the pilot to get clear. A second set of speed brakes was added to improve the jet's attack capabilities. Some 222 FJ-4Bs were produced from 1956 through 1958. , , The FJ-4B exhibited several good characteristics, including a roomy cockpit and excellent maneuvering in the air. Referred to by its pilots as the "Cadillac," many pilots believed the Fury Bravo a better attack platform than its replacement, the A4D Skyhawk., This FJ-4B Fury, detailed according to a refueling flight mission photograph taken 17 December 1958, was manufactured by North American Aviation, Columbus, Ohio, and delivered to the Navy in 1957. The jet was assigned to Attack Squadron VA-116 Roadrunners. This unit was redesignated VA-144 Roadrunners midway through deployment on the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in 1959. In 1960 VA-144 and its sister squadron, VA-146 Blue Diamonds, deployed aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34). A third cruise was conducted aboard the USS Lexington (CVA-16) from 1961 to 1962. The Fury then left VA-144 and was transferred to VA-216 Black Diamonds. The jet returned stateside to a variety of stations before being surplused in 1965., Specifications: , Gross Weight: 20,130 lbs. , Speed: 680 mph maximum , Range: 2,020 miles (with 2 x 200 gallon drop) tanks and two AIM-9 missiles , Armament: four 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon, four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, 3,000 Ibs of underwing ordnance including missiles, (captions) , Two North American FJ-4B Fury fighters of U.S. Navy attack squadron VA-146 Blue Diamonds sit on the waist catapults of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) off the coast of South America in 1959. The Ranger, with Carrier Air Group 14 (CVG- 14) assigned, was deployed to the Pacific from 3 January to 27 July 1959. Ranger's plane guard destroyer, the USS Rowan (DD-782), is visible in the background. (U.S. Navy), Two FJ-4B Fury fighters of attack squadron VA-212, the Rampant Raiders, prepare for takeoff from the deck of the USS Lexington, circa 1960. (U.S. Navy), A North American FJ-4 Fury under construction at the North American Aviation plant at Columbus, Ohio, in 1956. (U.S. Navy), Cockpit of the FJ-4B Fury