The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) is a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft [2] designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Vought. It was the last American fighter that had guns as the primary weapon, earning it the title "The Last of the Gunfighters". [3] [4]

Oct 23, 2023 · The Chance-Vought F-8 Crusader was the U.S. Navy’s premier single-engine jet air superiority fighter from 1957 to 1976. The aircraft had a unique design feature, a variable-incidence wing, which could be raised to increase the angle of attack, which enabled the sleek Crusader to get additional life for takeoff and use a lower airspeed for ...

Mar 27, 2023 · The Vought F-8 Crusader was an American jet-powered fighter that served with the US Navy from 1957-76. During its tenure, the aircraft participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the Vietnam War.

The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft [2] built by Vought for the United States Navy and the Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass.

Nov 4, 2019 · The F-8 Crusader was the last fighter designed for the US Navy that utilized guns as its primary weapon. Entering service in 1957, it saw combat during the Vietnam War both as a fighter and ground-attack aircraft.

Sep 14, 2022 · Utilizing nearly the identical powerplant of the North American F-100 "Super Sabre", the F-8 Crusader became the world's first carrier-based aircraft to break the speed of sound. The single-seat Crusader featured a long fuselage with a swept-back high-wing assembly and single-engine installation.

Aug 4, 2020 · Shortly after 10 a.m. April 3, 1965, Pham Ngoc Lan brought his MiG-17 to fire on Navy Lt. Cmdr. Spence Thomas’ Vought F-8E Crusader as the American jet pulled away from attacking an anti-aircraft artillery position.

"When you're out of F-8's, you're out of fighters," declared the men who flew and maintained the world's first carrier-based supersonic fighter, the Vought Crusader. Crusaders joined the fleet in the last week of 1956. They combined scorching performance and heavy armament: four 20mm cannon and up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles.

Jul 27, 2016 · The principal types were the F-8A interceptor (first flight September 30, 1955, with 318 machines), which went into service in March 1957; the F-8C air-superiority (187 machines, first flight August 20, 1958); and the F-8D all-weather fighter …

Jan 1, 2020 · The F-8 Crusader is commonly referred to as the ‘Last American Gunfighter’ amongst aviation experts. It’s a single engine air superiority jet fighter designed to take off and land from an aircraft carrier. Produced in 1955, the F-8 Crusader marks the departure from designing propeller fighter airplanes and the beginning of jet powered ...