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 radar, an upgraded version of AN/APQ-94. A …

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

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.

Introduced in Update "Direct Hit", the F-8E(FN) (France) represents the first entry of the French carrier-based air force into the supersonic era. The Crusader is a relatively difficult aircraft to master, especially when considering the opponents at its battle rating.

The Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) manufacturer offered to build an all weather interceptor based on the F-8U-2NE (F-8E), but with an improoved system of flaps and the capability to fire the MATRA R530 air to air missile. This version is dubbed F-8E(FN).

From 1964 to 1999, the LTV F-8E(FN) Crusader was the sole interceptor in Aéronavale service. Although it was maintained in service for too long, this aircraft, whose design dates back to the 1950's, was remarkably popular with its pilots.

An F-8E (FN) of Flotille 12F traps aboard Clemenceau; note the double-hinged leading edge droops on the outer wing panels. The F-8E (FN)'s differed from U.S. Echoes, with 2 deg. more incidence (wing up), double-hinged leading edge droops, and BLC. Landing speeds are somewhere in the range of 90-115 kts., compared with 140+/- kts. for U.S. versions.

On 7 September 1982, six F-8E (FN) boarded the Foch during operations Olifant IV near the coast of Lebanon. They returned for operation Olifant XVII on 2 September 1983 and Olifant XX on 25 January 1984. On 17 October 1984, the “Crouze” …

Model Number : F-8E(FN) Model Name : Crusader Model Type: Fighter . Specifications

F-8E(FN) of Flottille 14.F based at Landivisiau, 1973. The aircraft is painted in the original Light Gull Grey over Insignia White USN scheme. Stenciling is also of the US kind.