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Vought F-8A 'Crusader'
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Description
  Manufacturer: | Vought |
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  Base model: | F-8 |
  Designation: | F-8 |
  Version: | A |
  Nickname: | Crusader |
  Equivalent to: |
F8U-1 F8U1F8U-1 |
  Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service |
  Designation Period: | 1962-Present |
  Basic role: | Fighter |
  First Flew: | 1955/09/30 |
  See Also: | |
Specifications
  Length: | 54' 3" | 16.5 m |
  Height: | 15' 9" | 4.8 m |
  Wingspan: | 35' 8" | 10.8 m |
  Wingarea: | 350.0 sq ft | 32.5 sq m |
  Empty Weight: | 17,836 lb | 8,088 kg |
  Gross Weight: | 34,100 lb | 15,464 kg |
Propulsion
  No. of Engines: | 1 |
  Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney J57-P-4A |
Performance
  Range: | 1,425 miles | 2,294 km |
  Cruise Speed: | 570 mph | 917 km/h | 495 kt |
  Max Speed: | 1,322 mph | 2,128 km/h | 1,150 kt |
  Climb: | 27,200 ft/min | 8,290 m/min |
  Ceiling: | 52,350 ft | 15,956 m |
Examples of this type may be found at
F-8A on display
National Museum of Naval Aviation | Pima Air & Space Museum | The Air Museum "Planes of Fame" |   |   |
 
Recent comments by our visitors
David L Booth Union City, MI | I was assigned to VC8 in late 1969 after completing AT school in Millington, TN then on to Miramar, CA for F8 school. I was assigned to the jet line at VC8. I started out training on the F9 Cougars but switched to the F8's when the F9's were pulled from our squadron. I made plane captain on the F8's and later on he A4C Skyhawk.I loved working around the jets especially the F8's. Often when we weren't pulling duty for the Fleet and the pilots were flying to get their required flying time in with no specific mission they'd sometimes show-off and pull an unrestricted climb-out on takeoff or buzz the hanger at high speed and low altitude to scare the pants off everybody! I left the line in '72 when I made PO3 (AT3) and worked in the AT shop on all our aircraft. I was lucky to spend my whole tour from late '69 to Jan '73 with VC8. 08/25/2015 @ 19:30 [ref: 69224] |
George Wilson , NY | I launched the last F8 crusader from VC-8 in Roosevelt Roads. I believe I was the last plane captain in the squadron back in I believe 1972. 08/22/2010 @ 18:50 [ref: 29329] |
Phil Robinson Prescott Valley, AZ | I was a sailor stationed at North Island Naval Air Station, San Diego, Ca. back in 1963-64. I was attached to Utility Squardron "7" (VU-7). The F-8, along with the T-33,B-25 and another aircraft I can't recall it's designation (it was called the "stuf") were used to tow targets for ships to shoot at. Like to hear from any other sailors serving during that period w/VU-7. Thanks.... 03/20/2008 @ 06:36 [ref: 20213] |
Phil Robinson Prescott Valley, AZ | I was a sailor stationed at North Island Naval Air Station, San Diego, Ca. back in 1963-64. I was attached to Utility Squardron "7" (VU-7). The F-8, along with the T-33,B-25 and another aircraft I can't recall it's designation (it was called the "stuf") were used to tow targets for ships to shoot at. Like to hear from any other sailors serving during that period w/VU-7. Thanks.... 03/20/2008 @ 06:35 [ref: 20212] |
Rit Schoolcraft Naples, FL | Spent almost 5 years with VF-62 Hangar 13 NAS Cecil Field. We wore the AK of CAG 10 on our tails attached to the USS SHANGRI LA CVA 38. We did ride 3 other carriers in that 5 years tho. USS ENTERPRISE CVAN 65 inital shakedown cruise, USS LEXINGTON CVA 16 Cuban Missle Crisis, USS INDEPENDENCE CVA 62 North Atlantic NATO Exercise. In 1961 when I reported to VF-62 we flew the F8U-1 (remember the rocket pack in the belly ?) and when I transfered out we had progressed through the 2, 2N and were now flying the F8U-2NE. At that time the F8's were the "last of the gunfighters." Those were the days, love that aircraft. 08/17/2007 @ 12:42 [ref: 17651] |
Bob (Ears) Praeger AK3 , IL | I was with VF 32 from 57Nov thru Jun61. Avation Storekeeper.
Went to the MED 3 times with this plane, and got to know
that part numbers by heart. VF 32 was the first outfit to
get these planes.
They were sleek, they was slick, and man could they burn. 08/17/2006 @ 11:07 [ref: 13912] |
CWO4 Dave Mann San Diego, CA | Sometime around 1959 ... I was playing in the front yard at our house in Mission Hills ... an F8 comes over on the approach to North Island ... "Bang!" and out pops the pilot, ejecting ... Anyone know about this? 03/05/2006 @ 19:32 [ref: 12709] |
Bob Wirts Browndale, PA | I served with VF-62, (Boomerangs) from 1959 to 1962 as a Fire Control Tech. We transitioned from the F4 to the Crusader in 1960. Great aircraft.We home ported at Cecil, and flew aboard the Essex, Shangri LA and he Big E. Lots of work, lots of fun, and I wouldn't trade the experience. 02/24/2006 @ 13:44 [ref: 12604] |
Skip Hawk Cincinnati, OH | 1/30/06
I served at NAS Cecil Field from 66 to 68. I was attached to VC-4 DragonFlyers and we flew the Crusader Red Tails JF and towed targets for the fleet. Also, we had the US2C that served the same purpose. It was a great squadron and we had a great CO, CDR Neil Nokes and a great MCPO [E-9] Chief Haig Barsamian. From there I was transferred to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CV-42. Found more F-8's and US2C's. I served the Navy from 1966 to 1970. Bless the
Brother's in Arms that are serving now. 01/30/2006 @ 07:32 [ref: 12369] |
Skip Hawk Cincinnati, OH | 1/30/06
I served at NAS Cecil Field from 66 to 68. I was attached to VC-4 DragonFlyers and we flew the Crusader Red Tails JF and towed targets for the fleet. Also, we had the US2C that served the same purpose. It was a great squadron and we had a great CO, CDR Neil Nokes and a great MCPO [E-9] Chief Haig Barsamian. From there I was transferred to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CV-42. Found more F-8's and US2C's. I served the Navy from 1966 to 1970. Bless the
Brother's in Arms that are serving now. 01/30/2006 @ 07:31 [ref: 12368] |
 
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