All photos must be your own.

Please include the MMSI or Plane Tail Number in the name, tag or description. Please read our guidelines on photo criteria for approval.

Vought F-8K Crusader

The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) was a single-engine aircraft carrier-based air superiority fighter aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U 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, principally serving in the Vietnam War. 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. US Naval Reserve units continued to operate the RF-8 until 1987.

Though the F-8 was considered to be the 'Last of the Gunfighters', in actual combat, only four victories were made with the 20mm. The rest were made with the less than reliable Sidewinder.

Read more…
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Pinkfroot to add comments!

Join Pinkfroot