Vought F-8 Crusader

The F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) was a single-engine aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft built by Vought. It replaced the Vought F-7 Cutlass. The first F-8 prototype was ready for flight in February 1955, and was the last American fighter with guns as the primary weapon. The RF-8 Crusader was a photo-reconnaissance development and operated longer in U.S. service than any of the fighter versions. RF-8s played a crucial role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing essential low-level photographs impossible to acquire by other means. Naval Reserve units continued to operate the RF-8 until 1987.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• F-8
• F8
• Crusader
• Vought
• MiG
• Master
• US
• Navy
• fighter
• aircraft
• naval
• aviation
• Vietnam
• War

[jsf40209]

A-7 is attacker

F-8 is fighter

they arent doing same thing

[exenrontexas]

We rolled it in front of a huge American flag and then brought the old guys in without telling them in advance. They walked in the door and were shocked to see their old bird, all fixed up in front of this beautiful flag. Some broke down, some cried, some climbed up and showed their wifes where they stuck their Snickers bars on the long flights over Germany. It was precious. I will try to dig out the photo and post it.

[WESTY70]

@WESTY70

He was flying 1358XC- i believe we see in ths clip

[WESTY70]

My grandad was part of USN VX-3 squad testing these birds for carrier use in '57...sadly he lost his life in one taking off from the USS FDR. Helluva plane, but like most early jets not without its problems- lots of ejections were logged from '58 to '70.

[Grundalizer]

My Grandfather flew this plane

[singhaization]

very old one

[kdraper2007]

@xXMxExGxAxDxExTxHXx My nephew enlisted in the Marines thinking he would be a mechanic in the Motor pool. he ended up maintaining the field carrier catapult, arrester gear, & fresnal lense systems the Marine pilots use for short field/carrier qualifacation. in addition to building forward airbases. what you do in the service depends upon your aptitudes & what specialties the service needs.

[markvinas31]

@nakazatoGTR Well, I do hope that would be possible but I do not think the government will do that. Maybe some private company may do so.

[nakazatoGTR]

@markvinas31 with today's carrbon fibre tech, i believe one with funds can simply replace stress laden parts with either carbon fibre laminates etc, engines are the problem though. but if one F-4 can be rebuilt or a mustang that was shot down rebuilt why not one single F-8?

[markvinas31]

@nakazatoGTR Most of them are already cut up into pieces. Maybe one nice example that is in good shape can be found in Villamor Air Base museum. However, I do believe that it can no longer be flown because it has no engines and it is structurally fatigued. I also believe that it has consumed all of its remaining flight hours decades ago.

[nakazatoGTR]

@markvinas31 wish i had the money to refurbish one and fly at airshows and use as office service lol!!

same for P-51s!!!

[nakazatoGTR]

@nakazatoGTR lol accidental removal!!!