Shown in VMF-323 colors
F-8 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'
(which are still in service) 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*g 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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