Aircraft Gallery
F-8 Crusader
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Payload: 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) of weapons
Length: 54 ft 3 in (16.53 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m)
Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
Empty weight: 17,541 lb (7,956 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A afterburning turbojet
Maximum speed: Mach 1.86 (1,225 mph, 1,975 km/h) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)
Cruise speed: 495 kn (570 mph, 917 km/h)
Combat radius: 450 mi (730 km)
Service ceiling: 58,000 ft (17,700 m)
The F-8 Crusader was unique in transforming its shape to take off and land from carriers. The wing tilted away from the rest of the aircraft and its array of flaps and slats extended to provide more lift at lower speeds. When flying, the wing closed back up and its special saw-tooth leading edge reduced drag when the Crusader went supersonic. Armed with guns and missiles, the aerobatic F-8 was a menace to MiGs over Vietnam.
