Douglas F4D-1 Skyray Marines VMF-542 Photograph | Fujicolor Archive | Jet Age

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Item ID: 297256489659
eBay Seller ID: britishfareasttraders
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Category: Collectables:Transportation Collectables:Aeronautica:Military:Photos/ Prints
Condition: In decent condition. Please check our images.

Douglas F4D-1 Skyray Marines VMF-542 Photograph | Fujicolor Archive | Jet Age Aviation

Historic archival image of the iconic F4D-1 Skyray — a symbol of early supersonic Marine Corps aviation.

Measurements: approx. 6 4/8 x 3 7/8 inches

Paper: Fujifilm Fujicolor Crystal Archive Paper
Dates: 20.11.16

Condition: Previously numbered and mounted with a small double-sided tape. In decent condition.

Internal notes: QC passed

The quiet buzz of a Marine Corps airfield hums in the background, framed by palm trees and the distant shimmer of the Pacific breeze. In the foreground, the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray, resplendent in its bold USMC markings, waits under a brooding sky. This crisp black-and-white archival photograph captures an era when speed, daring, and innovation pushed the boundaries of aviation. Printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive Paper, the stunning clarity and texture bring the world of early supersonic flight vividly to life.

The Douglas F4D-1 Skyray, nicknamed “Ford,” was a revolutionary carrier-based interceptor, famed for being the first US Navy and Marine Corps fighter to set a world speed record. Bearing the insignia of VMF-542 ‘Tigers’, this Skyray stands as a testament to America’s Cold War aerial prowess. Measuring approximately 6 4/8 x 3 7/8 inches, this photograph — dated 20.11.16 (likely archival cataloguing date) — remains in decent archival condition, lightly marked from prior numbering and mounting as part of a professionally maintained collection.

Owning a photograph like this is to capture the daring spirit of early jet innovation, honouring the legacy of the pilots, engineers, and squadrons who embraced the challenges of a new aerial frontier. It is through pieces like these that collectors safeguard the thrilling narrative of aviation’s relentless ascent into the jet age.