Warplanes of the USA: North American FJ-2 Fury, and FJ-3 Fury

North American FJ-2 Fury, FJ-3 Fury

(Bill Larkins Photo)

North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo. 135850), of VC-3.

The North American FJ-2 and FJ-3 Fury are a series of swept-wing and carrier-capable fighters for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The FJ-2 resulted from an effort to navalize the North American F-86 Sabre operated by the United States Air Force. These aircraft feature folding wings, and a longer nose landing strut designed to increase angle of attack upon launch and to accommodate a longer oleo to absorb the shock of hard landings on an aircraft carrier deck.Although sharing a U.S. Navy designation with its distant predecessor, the straight-winged North American FJ-1 Fury, the FJ-2/-3 were completely different aircraft (the later FJ-4 was again,  a complete structural redesign of the FJ-3). The FJ-2 was one of the aircraft used to evaluate the first steam catapult on a US Navy aircraft-carrier. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

Two NAA jets, the FJ-1 Fury in the foreground and the XFJ-2B which was essentially a modified F-86E with four 20mm cannons.

(USN Photgo)

Two Furies: A straight-winged North American FJ-1 flying next to the swept-wing XFJ-2B (BuNo 133756) in 1952. The FJ-1 design dated back to the Second World War, and only 33 were produced in 1948. The FJ-1 led North American Aviation to the design of the F-86 Sabre ordered by the U.S. Air Force. In 1951 the U.S. Navy again ordered a navalized version of the F-86, naming it FJ-2, which first flew on 14 February 1952. It was essentially a F-86E with an arrester hook and folding wings. Reaching squadrons in 1954, the 300 FJ-2s were only used by the U.S. Marine Corps from land bases, and normally not from aircraft carriers. 538 uprated FJ-3s followed, still looking like F-86s, but also widely used by the Navy. North American then designed a special ground attack version, the FJ-4, with first flew in 1954. This plane was quite different from the F-86. The FJs were redesignated F-1 under the unified designation system in 1962, FJ-3 becoming F-1C/D and FJ-4 F-1E.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury fighters from Fighter Squadron VF-61 Jolly Rogers at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (USA), circa 1955. VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8).

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo 135844) from Fighter Squadron VF-51 Screaming Eagles on the deck of the Aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). VF-51 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard the BHR fro a deployment to the Western Pacific from 12 July to 9 December 1957.

(NMUSN Photo)

Captain Roy Lee Johnson, USN, Commanding Officer of USS Forrestal (CV 59), congratulates Commander Ralph L. Werner, USN, after making the first landing onboard the giant carrier. Werner piloted the U.S. Navy FJ-3 “Fury” jet aircraft in the background. Werner commanded Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) and landed approximately 2:40 (EST), January 3, 1956 while the aircraft carrier, operating at sea east of Norfolk, Virginia, was undergoing a series of routine tests. Commander Werner made three touch-and-go landings before making the first full-stop landing. A few hours later, piloting the same aircraft, he also made the first catapult launch from the carrier. Aircraft used for these trials are based at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia. Later, at approximately, 2:45 (EST), Commander W.M. Harnish, USN, Commanding Officer, Squadron 21 (a unit of ATG-181), piloting a U.S. Navy FJ-3 “Fury” made the second landing on board Forrestal. Commander Harnish’s father, Mr. W.E. Harnish, was the Professor of Education at the University of Illinois. Lieutenant Vincent Darcey, USN, of ATG-181, was the Landing Signal Officer for both landings. Both aircraft were painted with the new white and grey “atomic” paint scheme.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo 139230, 139231, 139232, 139234) from Fighter Squadron VF-84 Vagabonds in flight. VF-84 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 15 January to 22 July 1957.

(NMNA Photo)

Two U.S. Marine Corps North American FJ-2 Fury aircraft of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-235 in flight out of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California

(NMNA Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps North American FJ-2 Fury (BuNo 131995) of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-451. The squadron was based at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) catapults a North American FJ-3 Fury from Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) "Mach Busters" from a midships catapult, during shakedown operations, 12 March 1956. Another FJ-3 of VF-21 and a McDonnell F2H-2P "Banshee" of Composite Squadron 62 (VC-62) Det. 42 "Fighting Photos" are being readied for launching from the bow catapults. Both squadrons were assigned to Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard the Forrestal for her shakedown cruise to the Atlantic Ocean from 24 January to 31 March 1956.

(NMNA Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas F4D-1 Skyray (BuNo 134880) from Fighter Squadron VF-141 Iron Angles and an North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo 135857) from VF-51 Screaming Eagles on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) in 1957. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 12 July to 9 December 1957.

(USN Photo)

North American FJ-3 Fury from Fighter Squadron VF-84 "Vagabonds"  of Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CVA-15) during that carrier's deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 2 September 1958 to 12 March 1959.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy North American AJ-2 Savage (BuNo 134043) of Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-7 Det.45 Peacemakers of the Fleet refueling North American FJ-3M Fury fighters (BuNo 139232, 139231) from Fighter Squadron VF-62 Boomerangs. VF-62 and VAH-7 were assigned to Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific from 2 February to 17 November 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (BuNo 134538) from Attack Squadron VA-105 Mad Dogs refueling a North American FJ-3M Fury (BuNo 139232) of Fighter Squadron VF-62 Boomerangs. Both squadrons were assigned to Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific from 2 February to 17 November 1958. Note the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile on the Fury and the extended landing gear, to be able to fly as slow as the Skyraider. The propeller of the refueling pack is also clearly visible.

(NMNA Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F3H-2N Demon aircraft of Fighter Squadron VF-124 Moonshiners and an North American FJ-3 Fury of VF-121 Peacemakers in flight over Southern California. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12) which was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CVA-16) to the Western Pacific from 19 April to 17 October 1957. VF-124 was disestablished on 10 April 1958, and VF-121 became a training squadron two days later.

(NMNA Photo)

U.S. Navy North American FJ-3M Fury (BuNo 141442) of Utility Squadron 10 (VU-10) flies over McCalla Field, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 1962.

(NMNA Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo 136022) of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-333. The squadron was based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo 136121) from Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) "Mach Busters" lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in February 1956. VF-21 was assigned to Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard the Forrestal for her shakedown cruise to the Atlantic Ocean from 24 January to 31 March 1956.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury assigned to Fighter Squadron VF-62 Boomerangs at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, in June 1956. VF-62 would deploy with Air Task Group 202 (ATG-202) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVA-20) to the Mediterranean from 4 July 1956 to 19 February 1957.

(US

(USN Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps North American FJ-3 Fury fighter (BuNo 136134) from Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-122 Crusaders in flight.

(USN Photo)

Three U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury aircraft (BuNo 139247, FJ-3M 141418, 141426) of Fighter Squadron VF-33 Tarsiers from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (USA), in flight near El Centro, California (USA), during the second annual "Fleet Gunnery Meet" at Naval Air Auxiliary Station El Centro.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy North American FJ-3 Fury of Fighter Squadron 73 (VF-73) "Jesters" (BuNo 141437) landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CVA-15), circa in 1957. VF-173 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 4 (CVG-4) aboard the Randolph for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 1 July 1957 to 24 February 1958.

(NACA Photo)

North American FJ-3 Fury aircraft (BuNo 135800) on the NACA Ames flight line, 13 June 1955.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo. 135812), Willow Grove Reserve.

Survivors

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

North American FJ-2 (BuNo. 132023), National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Florida.

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

North American FJ-2 (BuNo. 132057), USS Hornet Museum, Alameda, California.

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 135841), Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

(Mike Freer Photo)

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 135867), Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 135868), Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, New York.

(Jerry Gunner Photo)

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 135883), USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California.

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 136032), Middleton Field in Evergreen, Alabama.

(Articseahorse Photo)

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 136119), Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

North American FJ-3 (BuNo. 141393), Hickory Aviation Museum in Hickory, North Carolina.