North American FJ-4 Fury - Photos & Video

North American FJ-4 Fury Specifications

Manufacturer	North American Aviation
Role	Carrier-based fighter-bomber
First flight	October 3, 1954
Introduction	1955
Retired	1965 (US Navy), 1972 (Venezuela)
Primary users	United States Navy, Venezuelan Air Force
Number built	374
Unit cost	US$780,000 (FJ-4B)
Engine	One Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A turbojet, 7,250 lbf (32.3 kN) thrust
Maximum speed	680 mph (1,094 km/h)
Range	1,200 mi (1,900 km)
Service ceiling	44,000 ft (13,400 m)
Armament	4× 20 mm (0.79 in) M3 cannons Up to 5,000 lb (2,270 kg) of bombs, rockets, or missiles

The North American FJ-4 Fury was a swept-wing carrier-capable fighter-bomber for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The final development in a lineage that included the Air Force’s F-86 Sabre, the FJ-4 shared its general layout and engine with the earlier FJ-3, but featured an entirely new wing design and was a vastly different design in its final embodiment.

Source: North American FJ-4 Fury on Wikipedia

North American FJ-4 Fury Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	National Air & Space Museum
Photos	61

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North American FJ-4B ‘Fury’ Walk Around
Photographer	Fotios Rouch
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	58

The Peak of the FJ Evolution

The North American FJ-4 Fury was the final and most capable iteration of the Fury series. While it shared a common ancestry with the F-86 Sabre, by the time the FJ-4 arrived, it was a completely different beast. Designed primarily for the U.S. Marine Corps as a long-range, high-speed attack aircraft, it featured a deeper fuselage for increased fuel, a completely redesigned wing, and significantly improved landing gear. It transitioned the Fury from a pure dogfighter into a versatile strike platform capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Attribute	Technical Specification (FJ-4B)
Role	Carrier-based Fighter-Bomber / Strike Fighter
Crew	1 (Pilot)
First Flight	October 28, 1954
Powerplant	1 × Wright J65-W-16A turbojet
Thrust	7,700 lbf (34 kN)
Maximum Speed	680 mph (1,094 km/h) at sea level
Armament	4 × 20mm Colt Mk 12 cannons; 5 hardpoints (up to 6,000 lbs)
Missiles	AIM-9 Sidewinder (Fighter); AGM-12 Bullpup (Attack)

Redesigned for the Strike Mission

The “Deep” Fuselage: To address the short range of earlier jets, the FJ-4’s fuselage was noticeably “taller” or deeper than the FJ-1 or the F-86. This allowed it to carry 50% more internal fuel, giving it the “legs” needed for long-range interdiction.
Thinner, Cleaner Wings: The FJ-4 featured a new, thinner wing with a different airfoil shape and a “cuffed” leading edge. This improved low-speed handling for carrier approaches while reducing drag at high subsonic speeds.
All-Moving Tail: Like the F-86F, the FJ-4 used an “all-flying” tail (stabilator) which provided much better control authority when maneuvering near the speed of sound.
FJ-4B Ground Attack: The “B” variant introduced an automated flight control system and a low-altitude bombing system (LABS) specifically designed for the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons.

Operational History and the Marine Corps

The Marine’s Choice: While the Navy moved toward the F8U Crusader for air superiority, the Marine Corps leaned heavily on the FJ-4 for close air support. Its rugged design and heavy payload made it ideal for supporting troops from the deck of a carrier.
Bullpup Pioneer: The FJ-4B was the first aircraft to carry the AGM-12 Bullpup, the world’s first mass-produced guided air-to-ground missile.
Mid-Air Refueling: To further extend its range, the FJ-4 was equipped with a fixed refueling probe on the left wing, a standard feature for Naval aircraft of that era.
Preservation: Because the FJ-4 was built in significant numbers (over 370), several are preserved in the US, including examples at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the March Field Air Museum.