History

Early in the Korean War, the appearance of swept wing Communist jet fighters, like the MIG-15, forced the U.S. Navy to seek a fighter with similar performance. The USAF F-86 appeared, with modifications, to fit the Navy's needs for a high performance jet fighter. The FJ-2 "Fury" was essentially a re-engineered F-86, with the addition of a tail hook for carrier landings. The first FJ-2 test flight occured in December 1951.

The "Fury" continued to evolve as four 20mm cannon and folding wings were added. An uprated J65 turbojet engine was also added. This version of the "Fury" was the FJ-3, the first of this sub-type flying in July 1953. The FJ-3 became the first aircraft to operate from the USS Forrestal after the carrier's 1956 commissioning

The fuselage was again redesigned. A larger wing, taller vertical stabilizer, and a longer stroke nose gear were added. The addition of advanced ordnance computers and extra hardpoints enabling the aircraft to carry heavier weapons payloads, combined with the aforementioned improvements led to the aircraft's designation as the FJ-4B. The first of this version of the "Fury", able to carry six "Sidewinder" air to air missiles, or five "Bullpup" air to surface missiles, flew in December 1956. Powered by the improved J65-W-16A turbojet, the aircraft had a top speed of 715 mph at sea level.

The FJ-4B in the Willow Grove collection is USN Bureau# 143568. Fragments of its operational history are known. (The following was provided by reader Steven Albright). #143568 was received by VMA-212 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay in January of 1960 and flown by that unit until August of 1961, when the squadron transitioned to the Douglas A4D-2 "Sky Hawk." VMA-212 pilots at the time were LtCol. Carl E. Schmidt (CO), LtCol. John Bolt (VMA-214 CO, and a former Black Sheep pilot from WWII), LtCol. Robert Baird, Walter C. Stewart, Jr., Harvey Huffstutter, William "Gay" Thrash, (CO of MAG-13), Bob Southgate, and Ken Houtchens. #143568 was later transferred to NAS Willow Grove, where it was flown by both Navy and Marine Corps reservists, until the type was retired in the mid - 1960's.

DVHAA is proud to have one member who actually flew this particular aircraft during his reserve days. He is Colonel Sylvester Lapkewiecz, USMC (Retired). Col. Lapkiewicz is a WWII veteran, who flew F4U-1D "Corsair"s with VMF 422 in the South Pacific. From August 1944, Col. Lapkiewicz flew "shake-up" missions against enemy installations in the Marshall Islands, dropping 500 lb bombs and strafing, to harrass enemy troops. In May 1945, VMF-422 was ordered to fly its twenty four fighters from Engebi to Tinian. Equipped with belly tanks, they made the "hop" in 8 1/2 hours. From Tinian, they flew to Iwo Jima in five hours. After refueling, they flew on to Okinawa in nine hours. It was one of the longest mass fighter squadron flights of the war. The next morning, VMF-422 was ordered to scramble. Enemy aircraft were detected via radar, and they were inbound from Japan. In the middle of a drenching rainstorm, the squadron took off to intercept. In the ensuing combat, Lapkewiecz managed to get a lead on a Japanese "Tojo" up ahead. The enemy took evasive action, to no avail, and with one burst of cannon fire from the Corsair, the "Tojo" smoked and spun into the sea below.

Following the war, Lapkiewicz continued serving in the Marine Corps Reserves. He flew F6F "Hellcat"s, F8F "Bearcat's, F9F "Panther"s, and finally the FJ-4B "Fury"s. He eventually became the Commanding Officer of VMF 218 at NAS Willow Grove, flying the "Fury Bravo"s as the aircraft were then known. VMF-218, under his command, earned honors as the best Marine Reserve Fighter squadron for safety, tactics, and gunnery. Colonel Lapkiewicz was not called up for service in Vietnam, and retired from the reserves in the late 60's. His favorite aircraft, of all that he flew, was the "Fury". Col. Lapkiewicz still lives in Huntingdon Valley, PA, near NAS Willow Grove.

Images

Aircraft Specific Links:

• Joe Baugher's article on the FJ Fury series aircraft