F-8J Crusader
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 first F-8 prototype was ready for flight in February 1955. The F-8 served principally in the Vietnam War. The Crusader was the last American fighter with guns as the primary weapon, earning it the title "The Last of the Gunfighters". The RF-8 Crusader was a photo-reconnaissance development and operated longer in U.S. service than any of the fighter versions. RF-8s played a crucial role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing essential low-level photographs impossible to acquire by other means. United States Navy Reserve units continued to operate the RF-8 until 1987.
The most innovative aspect of the design was the variable-incidence wing which pivoted by 7° out of the fuselage on takeoff and landing (not to be confused with variable-sweep wing). This allowed a greater angle of attack, increasing lift without compromising forward visibility. This innovation helped the F-8's development team win the Collier Trophy in 1956. Simultaneously, the lift was augmented by leading-edge flaps drooping by 25° and inboard flaps extending to 30°. The rest of the aircraft took advantage of contemporary aerodynamic innovations with area-ruled fuselage, all-moving stabilators, dog-tooth notching at the wing folds for improved yaw stability, and liberal use of titanium in the airframe. The armament, as specified by the Navy, consisted primarily of four 20 mm (.79 in) autocannons; the Crusader happened to be the last U.S. fighter designed with guns as its primary weapon. They were supplemented with a retractable tray with 32 unguided Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket (Mighty Mouse FFARs), and cheek pylons for two guided AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. In practice, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles were the F-8's primary weapon; the 20mm guns were "generally unreliable." Moreover, it achieved nearly all of its kills with Sidewinders.
Controls:
AG1+VTOL: Activate and control Variable-incidence wings and flaps
AG2: Activate Airbrake
AG3: Jettison Bombs
AG6: Fold wings for carrier storage
AG7: Arm Tailhook
Trim: Elevator Trim
Other liveries:
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 28.3ft (8.6m)
- Length 43.7ft (13.3m)
- Height 15.4ft (4.7m)
- Empty Weight N/A
- Loaded Weight 8,341lbs (3,783kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 1.346
- Wing Loading 37.9lbs/ft2 (185.1kg/m2)
- Wing Area 220.0ft2 (20.4m2)
- Drag Points 3052
Parts
- Number of Parts 173
- Control Surfaces 7
- Performance Cost 742
I love this aircraft
Nicknames are: Gator, sports car of the navy, and the MiG Master!
we need more f8s and a7s on the site
Fun fact: it’s nickname was gator because it’s inlet was so close to the ground anyone around would get sucked in.
Fantastic low-part high-quality build
@Jake183 Sure
make a philippine version of F8?
And I mean the harrier spotlight
I agree with your spot light I might quit SimplePlanes but I shall try one more time to get a good updoot build
@Inuyasha8215 no problem
@LieutenantSOT @UnguidedMissile Thank you!
Cool
Awesome replica!