F-6 Fighter
F-6 Fighter
The F-6 Skylight Fighter (called the F4D Skylight Interceptor before 1962) is a German design developed by Douglas Company at the end of World War II. Concept delta-wing single-seat carrier-based fighter. The aircraft was the first carrier-based aircraft to break the absolute speed record and the first supersonic fighter of the U.S. Navy.
Weapon performance
Chinese name: F-6 fighter
English name: F-6 "Skyray"
Previous type/level ：F4D Skylight interceptor
Type/class: F-6A
Development time: 1947
Service time: 1956
Finalization time: January 23, 1951
Country: United States
Developer: Douglas Corporation
Type: Jet aircraft
Development history
Basic overview:
The Douglas F4D "Tianguang" is a carrier-based supersonic fighter developed by the American Douglas Aircraft Company in the 1950s. Their careers were short-lived due to inadequate armament and poor engine performance. This is also the last fighter produced by Douglas Aircraft Company
In 1947, the U.S. Navy proposed a new delta-wing interceptor fighter, and many manufacturers participated in the competition. On June 17 of the same year, the U.S. Naval Aviation Administration finally selected Douglas's plan and signed a preliminary development contract with it. The first test flight took place on January 23, 1951.
Tianguang is known as the "ten-minute killer" and has broken the world speed record for climbing five times. In 1953, Skylight and North American's Super Saber won the Collier Award, a highly honorable award in the aviation industry. However, due to turbulence at high speeds and engine stalling at high altitudes, the aircraft was officially put into service in 1956.
Development process:
Influenced by the "delta-wing aircraft" concept proposed by German scientists during the war, the U.S. Navy issued a proposal to solicit delta-wing short-range interceptor aircraft.
In 1948, two XF4D-1 prototypes were ordered from the Douglas Aircraft Company, although development was delayed due to a design incompatibility with Westinghouse's J40 turbojet engine. After switching to the Allison 135 engine, the prototype successfully made its first flight on January 23, 1951.
Model evolution
XF4D-1: Prototype, 2 built by ***.
F4D-1: Single-seat fighter, renamed F-6A in 1962, 420 built.
F4D-2: F4D-1 after replacing the engine.
F4D-2N: An expanded version of the F4D-2, equipped with dual radar scanners.
YF-6A: An improved version of the XF4D-1 prototype.
F-6A: An improved version of the F4D-1.
Technical features
Structural features: Tianguang has a triangular wing with an arc-shaped outer edge. It is named because its shape resembles a manta ray, an animal that lives on the bottom of the sea. It is a skylight; delta wing; no horizontal tail; front tricycle landing gear; arresting hook; engine air inlets are located behind the cockpit on both sides of the fuselage.
Electronic systems: Tianguang is equipped with a combined search and single target tracking radar (APQ-50A) and a state-of-the-art computer driven by vacuum tubes. When the rocket launches, the computer adjusts the aiming point on the cathode ray display in front of the pilot based on data measured by the anemometer.
Some Skylight squadrons are also equipped with a thermal imaging missile as their preferred weapon, which has a rotating gyro detector and an image breaker that guides the missile to track the target's heat signature, e.g. Exhaust gas. This missile was so economical, reliable and effective that it is still in use today. The Skylight also has a relatively simple sight to control the 20mm cannon.
Technical parameters
Basic parameters:
Crew: 1 person;
Length: 13.9 meters;
Wingspan: 10.2 meters;
Height: 3.96 meters;
Empty weight: 7250 kg;
Engine: one Pratt & Whitney J57-P -8 engine;
Maximum take-off weight: 11,340 kg;
Performance data:
Maximum speed 1,242 km/h;
L Limit: 16764 meters;
Engine: 4400kg thrust J57-P-2 turbojet engine (later used 7258kg thrust J57-P-8 with afterburner);
Range: 954 kilometers;
Weapons and equipment: Four 20mm cannons are installed in the outer wings; six underwing or fuselage pylons can carry up to 1,814 kilograms (4,000 pounds) of bombs or rockets.
Service status
By the end of 1954, the production aircraft entered the Douglas company's production line, and the "Tianguang" had been equipped with a Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8 engine. Further problems discovered during flight testing delayed delivery of the Skylights, and they did not arrive at the Navy until April 1956. After this, a large number of this model was delivered within a short period of time.
In December 1958, all 420 aircraft ordered were manufactured, all to F4D-1 standards. Operated by 11 Navy and 6 Marine fighter squadrons and 3 reserve units, the Skylights had a very short career due to inadequate armament and poor engine performance. In September 1962, "Skylight" was renamed F6A. All retired after 18 months.