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Vought F-8 Crusader Carrier-borne Interceptor |
DESCRIPTION:
Though removed from US service many years ago, the F-8 Crusader continued to serve with the French Navy through the late 1990s. The Crusader was originally developed to meet a US Navy requirement for a supersonic fighter to operate from and defend its aircraft carrier fleet. The design was unique in that the entire wing section could be angled upwards to reduce the fuselage angle of attack and improve pilot visibility. Though the Crusader was already somewhat obsolete by the time of the Vietnam War, the F-8 served with distinction in that conflict and collected more air-combat victories than any other type of aircraft. Some 1,259 Crusaders were built for the US Navy and Marines, the Philippines, and the French Navy. The final US and Philippines examples were removed from service in the late 1980s. By 1996, only 18 French aircraft were still flying, and these were 30 years old. These last F-8s were finally replaced by a navalized version of the Rafale in 1999.
Data below for F-8P |
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HISTORY: | |
First Flight |
(XF-8U-1) 25 March 1955 (F-8A) 20 September 1955 |
Service Entry | March 1957 |
Retirement |
4 December 1999
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CREW: |
one: pilot
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ESTIMATED COST: |
unknown
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AIRFOIL SECTIONS: | |
Wing Root | NACA 65A006 mod |
Wing Tip |
NACA 65A005 mod
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DIMENSIONS: | |
Length | 54.50 ft (16.61 m) |
Wingspan | 35.17 ft (10.72 m) |
Height | 15.75 ft (4.80 m) |
Wing Area | 374 ft² (34.84 m²) |
Canard Area
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not applicable
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WEIGHTS: | |
Empty | 19,700 lb (8,935 kg) |
Normal Takeoff | 27,560 lb (12,500 kg) |
Max Takeoff | 34,000 lb (15,420 kg) |
Fuel Capacity |
internal: 5,300 L external: unknown |
Max Payload
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unknown
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PROPULSION: | |
Powerplant | one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A afterburning turbojet |
Thrust |
18,000 lb (80.07 kN)
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PERFORMANCE: | |
Max Level Speed |
at altitude: 1,225 mph (1,975 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m), Mach 1.86 at sea level: unknown |
Initial Climb Rate | 21,000 ft (6,410 m) / min |
Service Ceiling | unknown |
Range |
typical: 380 nm (710 km) ferry: 1,040 nm (1,930 km) |
g-Limits |
unknown
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ARMAMENT: | |
Gun | four 20-mm Colt cannons (84 to 144 rds ea) |
Stations | four external hardpoints |
Air-to-Air Missile | R.530, Matra 550 Magic, AIM-9 Sidewinder |
Air-to-Surface Missile | none |
Bomb | none |
Other |
none
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KNOWN VARIANTS: | |
XF8U-1 or XF-8A | Prototype; 2 built |
F8U-1 or F-8A | First production model armed with 4 20-mm cannons, unguided rockets, and later fitted for Sidewinder missiles; 318 built |
YF8U-1 or YF-8AL | F8U-1 used for development purposes; 1 converted |
YF8U-1E or YF-8B | F8U-1 converted into prototype of the F8U-1E; 1 converted |
F8U-1E or F-8B | Production model of the improved F8U-1 with limited all-weather capability and radar; 130 built |
F8U-1D or DF-8A | F8U-1 airframes converted into target drone directors |
F8U-1KD or QF-8A | F8U-1 airframes converted into target drones |
YF8U-1P or YRF-8A | Prototype of a photo-reconnaissance model |
F8U-1P or RF-8A | Production reconnaissance model carrying no weapons but fitted with a camera bay located in the forward fuselage |
XF8U-1T/F8U-1T/TF-8A | Two-seat operational trainer |
YF8U-2 or YF-8C | Flight test aircraft converted from F8U-1 airframes; 2 converted |
F8U-2 or F-8C | Upgraded all-weather fighter with a new engine; 187 built |
YF8U-2N or YF-8D | Development aircraft |
F8U-2N or F-8D | Production model with an improved engine, increased fuel load, and upgraded armament; 152 built |
XF8U-2NE | Development aircraft |
F8U-2NE or F-8E | Production mutli-role attack fighter with an improved engine, new radar, and underwing pylons for up to two AGM-12 Bullpup missiles; 286 built |
F8U-3 | Evaluation aircraft that competed against the F-4 Phantom II, featured a new engine, redesigned engine inlet, and the ability to fire the Sparrow missile; 5 built |
F-8E(FN) | Version of the F-8E sold to the French Navy with an improved high-lift wing design; 48 built |
DF-8F | F-8A airframes re-built as target drone directors |
RF-8G | RF-8A airframes refurbished with a stronger structure, ventral fins, and a new engine; 73 converted |
F-8H | F-8D airframes re-built with a stronger structure and blown flaps |
F-8J | F-8E airframes re-built with a stronger structure and blown flaps; 136 converted |
F-8K | F-8C airframes re-built with a stronger structure and blown flaps; 87 converted |
F-8L | F-8B airframes re-built with a stronger structure and blown flaps; 61 converted |
F-8M | Rebuilt model |
F-8P |
French aircraft upgraded to "prolong" service use until the Rafale M was ready to replace them
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KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: |
Vietnam War (USN, USMC, 1965-1972)
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KNOWN OPERATORS: |
France, Aéronautique Navale (French Naval Air Arm) Philippines, Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (Philippine Air Force) United States (US Marine Corps) United States (US Navy) |
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