The prototype Crusader single-seat carrier-based fighter flew for the first time on 25 March 1955. The first production F-8A flew on 20 September of the same year and this version began reaching US Navy operational squadrons in March 1957. It was produced as a day fighter powered initially by a 7290kg Pratt & Whitney J57-P-12 turbojet and on later aircraft a 7370kg P-4A engine. A photo-reconnaissance version was also produced as the RF-8A.
Several other versions of the Crusader were produced. The F-8B had a J57-P-4A engine and improved radar; the F-8C a 7700kg J57-P-16 engine; the F-8D with limited all-weather capability and an 8190kg J57-P-20 engine; the F-8E with improved all-weather capability and an enlarged nose radome; the F-8E (FN) export version of the F-8E for the French Navy (provision for Matra R.530 missiles in addition to Sidewinders) with blown flaps; the RF-8G (modernised RF-8A with updated equipment); and the F-8H/J/K/L modernised versions of the F-8D/E/C/B respectively, with updated equipment and attack capability. The F-8H also served with the air force of the Philippines.
While serving as an ordnanceman with VMF(AW)323 we were in Taiwan in Feb.-March 1964. We flew 1600 hrs. in 26 days in our F82NE's. We set a Naval Aviation record that I believe still stands today. When we flew the 1600 th hour, we had 17 of our 18 birds up and ready to fly. A top notch squadron with a top notch aircraft.
I was part of ship's company USS Hancock CVA -19 when VF 154 came aboard with F8U's. I was on the 07 level when Crash made his landing into the barrier and then the plane rolled over into the sea. He got out OK. Also saw LTjg Ramsey's F8 crash and he was unfortunately killed when his chute did not open completely. A sad day on the Hancock when this happened.
I work at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH. We just received the Vought XF8U-2 flown by Joe Engel and Burt Noble. It is on display in our atrium and is a star exhibit and it was quite a feat getting it into the building. It has the tailcode AF. I am researching to see if there are any former pilots, engineers or others who may have flown, worked with or helped to develop this amazing aircraft. I would love to collect some stories and possibly have some of the men and women who have known this plane come and speak with us. Any help in locating those who have experiences to share would be greatly appreciated!
Spent 67 to 70 in VFP63 "Eyes of the Fleet" AE shop. My first squadreon and first of many aircraft. Made two cruises; first a westpac on the Coral 'Maru' CV 43 and the second a Med cruise on FDR CV42. Now a volunteer on the Midway CV41 So I've managed to work all of the Midway class carriers into my life. Love the F8s, particularly the RF8s - fun to work on and fun to watch launching, flying and landing.
Flew the F-8 2NE in VF-51 off the Tico when Jim Stockdale had the squadron. Dick Hastings (lost when he was LSO and another F8 hit the ramp) and I were on Condition 2 cap and were launched to haul a** up north when Maddox and Turner Joy were under attack from the bad guys. The next morning we flew the first strikes on the oil refinery at Vinh. That resulted in the start of the conflict that lasted the next several years. After 2 tours on Tico, I was sent to the east coast to test flight O&R a /c. Flew all models of the a /c while there--A, B, C, D and E models. Managed to get 1.95 mach on a C model. Would of made 2.0 but A /C started to yaw, and I chickened out :) Probably good that I did as A /C was getting ready to depart. Great aircraft. Got to spend one month on the Constellation supporting escort missions into Laos. Like landing at Miramar compared to the old Tico with 10 ft of hook to ramp!
I was an AT2 in VF191 on the Bon Homme Richard and worked on the F8U in the South China Sea in 1962. I wasn't thrilled with loading that Communications pack behind the cockpit on the flight deck at night. We called the F8U the Man-Eater since the intake was so low. It's trailing wing- edge was very dangerous to your head walking around it on the hanger deck too.
flew 1500 hours in the crusader, 300 traps, 175 missions in Nam with VF191. But get this, got shot down in an F8A by a marine from VMF 334 while tow a target out of Yuma.
I worked for Chance-Vought in the 1950's, while the Cutlass was being built, and then while the Crusader was being developed, I worked on the firstXF-8s, making parts following blueprint specs, then putting them in the plane. I remember when XF8-2 disintegrated on a speed run in CA; the winch motor fan blade came off and severed the cable used to set the angle of attack for take-off (the fuselage was very close to the ground; the winch ass'y provided the ability to change the angle of attack). The pieces were bvrought to the plant's experimental area in Grand Prairie, TX, and applied to a wire frame in the general shape of the fuselage. In this way, the engineers were able to determinr\\e the cause of the accident. I also worked on the first few X models of the Regulus-2 Guided missiles. It was interesting work.
Worked avionics (AT) in the F8 from Jan 1958-july 1960. Made the 1959 cruise on the Ranger with VF-91 Red Lighting. Fun plane to work on but the group I worked with was even better. Chief Bolt was the shop chief. Best Chief I ever had. Wonder what happened to Droopy, Dave, Jerry, Jeff, and the others in the AT shop? About half of the shop reinlisted for "AT-IB" school in Millington. Believe VF-92 was "Screamin' Deamons" give you a headache if you got in the right spot on their intakes. Also got to be shop chief in VFP-63 in '67, RF-8G's. Good plane. Good Pilots. Vince Lesh, Mel Word, Tommy Tucker, Andre Coltrain. Lots of stories.
Again, where did class 7-57 go as a bunch went to F8s when the rag was in the bay area, I know that Terry Cry-- jumped out of a few! East coast that is. I know that my boss at Mugu became skipper of VFP-63.
Flew the F8-A /E /P at Pt MUGU, Naval missle Center, Aerospace Center, Experimental Targets. The REG-2, A M2 Missle /target for the fleet and the Airforce super secret missles at the time. Got my 1K pin from vaught and did a few M2s in the E(my plane) Was the NATOPS here and at VRF-32.A real Cadallac.Poor California, all those sonic booms!
As an anti aircraft gunner on the Forrestal in 1959 our fire control guys tried to use an F8u in a tracking exercise.Now you know why they put surface to air missles on carriers.
Was in VMF-334 from Jan 61 TO May63. We had the 2, 2n, 2ne while I was there. Was a 6492 and a 6491. Loved to pull the tail and slide the engines out. Still remember the last 7 /16th bolt in the 16th stage. Was on the Oriskani CVA-34 at the start of the Cuban Missle Crisis.
During the Cuban flack I worked on the RF8A with VMCJ2 out of Cherrry Pt. This air craft the finest aircraft I ever had the pleasure of working on. Best of the Gun Singers.
During 1959-1961 I was an F8 plane capt in VF 142.We wespaced on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 in 60. The pilot who flew the plane i was responsible for was later to become Astronaut Ron Evans who was the pilot of the command module on the last moon shot along With Ceran and Schmitt. It was plain to see why he was picked for the program.a finer man would be hard to find. Also Robbie Robison was the tech rep for the F 8s on our west pac. Harry
Flew the F8B with VMF 251 from Aug 62-Dec 63, not nearly long enough. 251 did a TransLant from Beaufort-Bermuda, 2 air-to-air refuelings to Rota, Spain; then back to Roosevelt Roads via Lages, Azores, 3 refuelings to Rosy. We carried condoms to pee in; no relief tube for a 6 hour flight! No combat, but some fun hassles.
