OVERVIEW: The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass. After the Navy's disappointing experience with the Cutlass, the Crusader was referred to by some as "Vought's Last Chance" after company founder Chance M. Vought. 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. U.S. Naval Reserve units continued to operate the RF-8 until 1987.

DETAILS: The most innovative aspect of the design was the variable-incidence wing which pivoted by 7 degrees out of the fuselage on takeoff and landing (not to be confused with variable-sweep wing). This afforded increased lift due to a greater angle of attack without compromising forward visibility because the fuselage stayed level. Simultaneously, the lift was augmented by leading-edge slats drooping by 25 degrees and inboard flaps extending to 30 degrees. The rest of the aircraft took advantage of contemporary aerodynamic innovations with area ruled fuselage, all-moving stabilators, dog-tooth notching at the wing folds for improved yaw stability, and liberal use of titanium in the airframe. Power came from the Pratt & Whitney J57 afterburning turbojet. The armament, as specified by the Navy, consisted primarily of four 20 mm (.79 in) autocannon; the Crusader happened to be the last U.S. fighter designed with guns as its primary weapon. They were supplemented with a retractable tray with 32 unguided Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket (Mighty Mouse FFARs), and cheek pylons for two guided AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Vought also presented a tactical reconnaissance version of the aircraft called the V-382.

SPECIFICATION: Crew: (1) || Length: 54 ft 3 in (16.53 m) || Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m) || Empty weight: 17,541 lb (7,956 kg) || Loaded weight: 29,000 lb (13,000 kg) || Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A afterburning turbojet || Dry thrust: 10,700 lbf (47.6 kN) || AB Thrust: 18,000 lbf (80.1 kN) || Fuel capacity: 1,325 US gal (5,020 L).

PERFORMANCE: Max speed: Mach 1.86 (1,225 mph, 1,975 km/h) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m) || Cruise speed: 570 mph (495 knots) 917 km/h || Combat radius: 450 mi (730 km) || Ferry range: 1,735 mi (2,795 km) with external fuel || Service ceiling: 58,000 ft (17,700 m) || Rate of climb: 31,950 ft/min (162.3 m/s) || Thrust/Weight: 0.62

ARMAMENT: Guns: (4) 20 mm (0.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannons in lower fuselage @ 125 rpg || Hardpoints: (2) side fuselage mounted Y-pylons (for mounting AIM-9 Sidewinders and Zuni rockets) and (2) underwing pylon stations holding up to 4,000 lb (2,000 kg) of payload || LAU-10 rocket pods with 5 inch (127mm) Zuni rockets || AIM-9 Sidewinder || Matra Magic AA Missles || AGM-12 Bullpup AG Missles || Mark 81 bombs || Mark 82 bombs || Mark 83 bombs || Mark 84 bombs.

SOURCE: [SCO] Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org