WARBIRDS RESOURCE GROUP > VIETNAM > F-8 CRUSADER > PREVIOUS PAGE
Vought F-8 Crusader

The F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) was a single-engine aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft built by Chance-Vought of Dallas, Texas, USA. 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.

– Design & Development
– Operational History
– Variants

Type: Carrier based Fighter
Crew: 1
Manufacturer: Chance-Vought
Models: see variants
Number built: 1,261
   Maiden flight: March 25, 1955
Service Delivery: March 1957
Retired: Dec. 19, 1999
Primary Users: U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, French Navy, Philippines
Specifications: F-8E Crusader
Powerplant:
 Model: Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A
 Type: After-burning Turbojet
 Number: One
 Dry Thrust: 10,700 lb
 W. Afterburner: 18,000 lb
Fuel (Internal): 1,325 U.S. gal (5,102 L)
Dimensions:
 Length: 54 ft 3 in (16.53 m)
 Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m)
 Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
 Wing area: 375 ft² (34.8 m²)
 Airfoil:
  NACA 65A006 mod root
  NACA 65A005 mod tip
 Wing loading: 77.3 lb/ft² (377.6 kg/m²)
 Thrust/weight: 0.62
   Weights:
 Empty: 17,541 lb (7,956 kg)
 Loaded: 29,000 lb (13,000 kg)

Performance:
 Maximum speed:
– 1,225 mph (1,975 kph) at 36,000 ft
 Cruise speed: 570 mph (495 kn, 915 kph)
 Combat Radius: 450 mi (730 km)
 Ferry Range: 1,735 mi (2,795 km)
 Service ceiling: 58,000 ft (17,700 m)
 Rate of climb: 31,950 ft/min (162.3 m/s)

 Armament:
 – 4× 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons in lower fuselage
 – 125 rounds/gun

 Bombload:
 – 5,000 lb (2,300 kg)

Sources:
Wikipedia: F-8 Crusader
WARBIRDS RESOURCE GROUP > VIETNAM > F-8 CRUSADER > PREVIOUS PAGE