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 and was referred to as the "MIG Master."
| Type | Single-seat, Carrier-capable fighter and fighter-bomber |
|---|---|
| Bureau Number | 146939 |
| NMNA ID | 2005.072.001 |
| Manufacturer | Vought |
| Powerplant | One 80.07-‐kN (18,016-‐lb-‐thrust) Pratt & Whitney J57-‐P-‐20A after-burning 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) |
| Service 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 missiles |
| 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) |
