Type: single-seat, carrier-capable fighter and fighter-bomber
Bureau Number: 146939
Powerplant: one 80.07-kN (18,016-lb-thrust) Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A afterburning turbojet engine
Maximum speed: 1802 km/h (1120 mph) at 12,192 m (40,000 ft)
Climb rate: 6 min 30 sec to 17,375 m (57,000 ft)
Range: 1660 km (1031 miles)
Ceiling: 17,983 m (59,000 ft)
Weights: empty 9038 kg (19,925 lb); maximum take-off 12,474 kg (27,500 lb)
Armament: four 20-mm Mk 12 cannon with 144 rounds per gun; up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs; or eight 113-kg (250-lb) Mk 81 or 227-kg (500lb) Mk 82 bombs; or eight Zuni rockets; or two AGM-12A or AGM-12B Bullpup attack missles
Dimensions:
Span 10.87 m (35 ft 8 in)
Length 16.61 m (54 ft 6 in)
Height 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
Wing Area 34.84 m2 (375 sq ft)
Distinctive in appearance, the F-8 Crusader, known as the "Last of the Gunfighters", was one of the US Navy's first supersonic, carrier based fighter aircraft. Entering service in 1957, the F-8 was the last US fighter designed with guns as a primary weapon. Eventually equipped with Sidewinder missiles, Crusader excelled in dogfights with Vietnamese MIGs.
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Facts & Information
The Douglas F-4D Skyray and the Grumman F-11 Tiger preceded the F-8 RE Mach 1 flight at above 30,000ft. The F-8 was the first to do it (mach 1) at sea level (and first carrier-based aircraft to break 1000 mph).
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