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The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) is a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft 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"

Development of the F-8 commenced after the release of requirement for a new fighter by the United States Navy in September 1952. Vought's design team, led by John Russell Clark, produced the V-383, a relatively unorthodox fighter that possessed an innovative high-mounted variable-incidence wing, an area-ruled fuselage, all-moving stabilators, dog-tooth notching at the wing folds for improved yaw stability, and liberal use of titanium throughout the airframe. During June 1953, Vought received an initial order to produce three XF8U-1 prototypes of its design. On 25 March 1955, the first prototype performed its maiden flight. Flight testing proved the aircraft to be relatively problem-free. On 21 August 1956, U.S. Navy pilot R.W. Windsor attained a top speed of 1,015 mph; in doing so, the F-8 became the first jet fighter in American service to reach 1,000 mph

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During September 1952, the United States Navy released a requirement calling for a new fighter. Specifics of this requirement included a maximum speed of Mach 1.2 at 30,000 ft (9,100 m) with a climb rate of 25,000 ft/min (130 m/s), and a landing speed of no more than 100 mph (160 km/h). Experiences gained from the Korean War had demonstrated that .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns were no longer sufficient and, as a result, the new fighter was to be armed with 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon. The 20x110mm round had become common in the U.S. Navy prior to the Korean conflict: used on the McDonnell F2H Banshee , F9F, F3D Demon, F7U Cutlass , and the F4D among others.

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F8U Crusader "The Last of the Gunfighters"

General Info

Crew: 1 Length: 55 ft 11.6 in (17.059 m) Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m) Height: 15 ft 9.1 in (4.803 m) Wing area: 375 sq ft (34.8 m²)

Powerplant

Empty weight: 18,800 lb (8,528 kg) Gross weight: 29,000 lb (13,154 kg) Max takeoff weight: 34,000 lb (15,422 kg) Fuel capacity: 1,348 US gal (1,122.4 imp gal; 5,102.7 L) Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A afterburning turbojet engine, 11,400 lbf (51 kN) thrust dry, 18,000 lbf (80 kN) with afterburner

Performance

Maximum speed: 1,066 kn (1,227 mph, 1,974 km/h) at 36,000 ft (10,973 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
Cruise speed: (308 mph, 496 km/h)
Stall speed: (155 mph, 250 km/h)
Never exceed speed: 1,435 km/h)
Combat range: (453 mi, 730 km)
Ferry range: 1,507 nmi (1,734 mi, 2,791 km) with external fuel
Service ceiling: 58,000 ft (18,000 m)

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 with a capacity of 4,000 lb (2,000 kg),

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The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority fighter. It was typically described as an all-weather fighter, yet initial production aircraft were only fitted with a ranging radar for its guns and thus was entirely reliant on external platforms to be guided towards enemies

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F8U Crusader

The armament of the F-8, which had been specified by the US Navy, consisted primarily of four 20 mm (.79 in) autocannons;

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n practice, Sidewinder missiles were the F-8's primary weapon; the 20mm guns were considered to be "generally unreliable"; moreover, the F-8 achieved nearly all of its kills using Sidewinders.

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F8U Crusader

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F8U Crusader

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F8U Crusader "The Last of the Gunfighters"

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Ling-Temco-Vought
F8U Crusader "The Last of the Gunfighters"