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F-8k Crusader
First Flight
March 25, 1955
Location
Vietnam Hangar
Dimensions & Capacity
Crew: 1
Length: 54 ft 3 in (16.54 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.80 m)
Empty Weight: 17,541 lb (7,956 kg)
Max Take Off Weight: 34,000 lb (15,422 kg)
Performance
Speed: Maximum MACH 1.86, CRUISE 570 mph (495 kn)
Service Ceiling: 58, 000 ft (18,000 m)
Range: 1,507 nautical miles (2,791 km)
Airworthiness
Static Aircraft
Armament
Guns: 4x 20 mm Colt Mk 12, 125 rpg
Hardpoints: 4 (2x side, 2x underwing), 4,000 lb capacity. Can carry:
Rockets: 2x LAU-10 pods (4x 5" Zuni/each)
Missiles:
Air-to-air: 4x AIM-9 Sidewinder/Matra Magic (French Navy)
Air-to-surface: 2x AGM-12 Bullpup
Bombs: Various (e.g., 12x 250 lb Mk 81, 2x 2,000 lb Mk 84)
Loan Status
This aircraft is on loan from the United States Marine Corps
“Last of the Gunfighters”
The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) is a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps (replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass), and for the French Navy. The first F-8 prototype was ready for flight in February 1955. The F-8 served principally in the Vietnam War. The Crusader was the last American fighter with guns as the primary weapon, earning it the title “The Last of the Gunfighters”.
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. United States Navy Reserve units continued to operate the RF-8 until 1987.
