This issue we give you the data cards for four of the most often requested jets by readers. They're long, lean, mean and fast and all actually entered U.S. service before 1960. Lack of space precludes us from including scenarios for the time being but we know you'll enjoy the jets.
F-8 Crusader
Known as the "last of the gunfighters"; Vought's F-8 Crusader was the first Navy fighter to be capable of sustained supersonic speeds. It was also the last Navy design to have internal cannons for dogfighting until the F-14 appeared twenty years later.
The Crusader benefited greatly from the experience aircraft designers gained with earlier supersonic fighters and was so well designed that it easily exceeded mach one on its first test flight in 1955 and soon set several world speed records. It was ordered into immediate production reaching operational status in 1957 and quickly replaced Cutlasses and other less capable Navy fighters in service. The first Crusaders could carry 32 aerial rockets but these were rapidly deleted 'in favor of carryng fuselage mounted Sidewinder missiles.
The Crusader demanded skill to fly and was difficult to land on Carriers but it was an excellent fighter and equipped dozens of squadrons. In Vietnam, it had a distinguished record, downing 19 MiGs in air combat for only 3 air to air losses; the best kill ratio of any fighter in the war. Later models were given wing pylons to carry air to ground ordnance or drop tanks. Crusaders were all eventually replaced by F-4 Phantoms but the last recon F-8 models survived to be retired from the reserves in 1986.
F-8C/D Crusader
F-8E/J Crusader
Mach Riders: Great Supersonic Jets of the '50s Aircraft Briefings
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© Copyright 1991 by J.D. Webster
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