The
Vought XF8U-1 was designed to meet a U.S. Navy requirement in
1952 for a supersonic air-superiority fighter. The first
prototype flew in 1955. The last Navy fighter to rely on guns
for its main armament, it was known as "the last
gunfighter".
The F8U Crusader was re-designated the F-8
in 1962 when the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force consolidated their
designation systems. The Crusader saw service with the U.S.
Navy and Marine Corps in Vietnam. The last U.S. Marine Corps
RF-8 was retired in the late 1980s.
The Crusader remained in production until 1965
with the final aircraft being delivered to the French Navy.
This aircraft is also known as the LTV F-8
Crusader due to changes in company ownership.
