NF004 – Douglas F3D/F-10 Skynight

The first protoype was trucked from El Segundo to Murdoc Dry Lake (Edwards AFB). Its design had been refined into a bulbous shape which gave rise to the nickname “Willy the Whale”. While the Air Force held discussions on the A-3’s and its possible use, the Naval Air Test Center, Paxtent River, MD and MCAS El Toro were conducting similated night interceptions in which the XF3D-1 repeatedly intercepted and destroyed single-seat jet fighters above 40,000 ft.