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]

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.

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.

Aug 25, 2017 · The F-8E, considered the definitive production version and capable of employment as a multi-role air defense or tactical strike fighter, was what the French wanted—if it could be tamed.

Mar 27, 2023 · Vought’s F-8 Crusader was deemed the winner in May 1953, with the Navy ordering three prototypes. The first F-8 prototype, designated the XF8U-1, flew on March 25, 1955 and exceeded the speed of sound. Seeing no issues with the aircraft, the second prototype flew a few months later, on September 30.

The F-8E(FN) was intended to be a multi-mission fighter aircraft. To fill this requirement, the standard configuration of four 20-mm. cannons was retained, as was the fuselage-mounted dual Sidewinder pylons.

An Examination of the F-8 Crusader through Archival Sources Professor Michael Weaver Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base Abstract This article uses recently released U.S. Navy documents and also correspondence with pilots and maintainers to add to existing biographies of the Vought F-8 Crusader in service with the

Sep 14, 2022 · The Vought F-8 "Crusader" was a direct response to a United States Navy requirement for a modern supersonic, carrier-based fighter. 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.

Jul 27, 2016 · F-8E(FN) – air superiority fighter version for the French Navy, significantly increased wing lift due to greater slat and flap deflection and the addition of a boundary layer control system, enlarged stabilators, incorporated AN/APQ-104 …

Jan 3, 2025 · The F-8E was weaponized with four 20mm cannons; the last US fighter was designed around gun armament as the principal weapon. First flying on March 25, 1955, the F-8E began to become available to its first operational unit, VX-3 in late 1956.