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THE PLANES - The CHANCE VOUGHT CRUSADER
Before the introduction of the 'tri-service' designation system this aircraft
was known as the F8U. It originally was a fast day fighter, but later models
were capable of all-weather operations. The problem of putting a powerful, heavy
supersonic fighter on a carrier deck was solved by giving the F-8 a variable
incidence wing, and it could operate even from smaller carriers. The Crusaders
sold to the French 'Aeronavale' had further modifications to reduce landing
speed. The F-8 enjoyed a long and distinguished career, and was still very
effective in Vietnam. There was also an RF-8 reconnaissance version, with a
large rectangular fairing under the forward fuselage housing cameras. The F8U-3
was a totally new design, superficially similar, but with large belly fins and
different nose contours; it did not enter service. 1305 built.
Type: F-8D (F8U-2N)
Function: fighter
Year: 1958
Crew: 1
Engines: 1 8165 kg P&W J57-P-20
Wing Span: 10.87 m
Length: 16.53 m
Height: 4.80 m
Wing Area: 34.84 m2
Empty Weight: 7957 kg
Max. Weight: 13154 kg
Max. Speed: 1976 km/h
Ceiling: 17700 m
Max. Range: 2795 km
Armament: 4 20 mm
Type: RF-8A (F8U-1P)
Function: recon
Year: 1957
Crew: 1
Engines: 1 7258kg P&W J75-P-4
Speed: 1589km/h
Ceiling: 15790m
Range: 3233km
Type: F8U-3
Function: fighter
Year: 1958
Crew: 1
Engines: 1 13381 kg P&W J75-P-5A
Wing Span: 12.16 m
Length: 17.88 m
Height: 4.98 m
Wing Area: 41.80 m2
Empty Weight: 9917 kg
Max.Weight: 17587 kg
Speed: 2832 km/h
Range: 3289 km
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