Ling-Temco-Vought F-8H Crusader

Last revised January 15, 2000


Starting in 1967, 89 F-8Ds were remanufactured as F-8Hs. They were equipped with the more-powerful J57-P-20A engine. These F-8Hs were equipped with F-8E-type underwing pylons and the Bullpup fire-control systems (identifiable by a distinct hump over the wing). The first F-8H flew on July 17, 1967.

F-8Hs were issued to the Naval Air Reserve squadrons VF-201 and VF-202, both based at Dallas, Texas, and to VF-301 and VF-301, both based at NAS Miramar. VC-13, a composite squadrons based at New Orleans received F-8Hs in 1973, but exchanged them for A-4Ls in 1974.

Serials were 174042/147044, 147046/147051, 147054, 147058, 147060, 147062/147063, 147065, 147067/147072, 147897, 147901, 147902, 147904/147906, 147908,1247909, 147914, 147916, 147918, 147919, 147922/147925, 148628, 148630/148632, 148634,148636, 148638/148640, 148643, 148647/148652, 148655,148662, 148664/148666, 14148677, 148678, 148680/148682, 148684, 148686/148689, 148697/148700, 148703, 148705, 148707, and 148710.

Specification of Chance Vought F-8H Crusader:

Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20A turbojet, 10,700 lb.s.t. dry, 18,000 lb.s.t with afterburning. Maximum speed: 1020 mph (Mach 1.55) at 35,000 feet, Combat radius 396 miles, Internal fuel capacity 1273 US gallons. Dimensions: wingspan 35 feet 8 inches, length 54 feet 3 inches, height 15 feet 9 inches, wing area 375 square feet. Weights: 18,700 pounds empty, 29,200 pounds gross. Armed with four 20-mm cannon in the fuselage. Four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles could be carried on rails attached to the side of the fuselage.

Sources:


  1. Vought F-8 Crusader, Peter Mersky, Osprey, 1981.

  2. The Aircraft of the World, William Green and Gerald Pollinger, Doubleday, 1965.

  3. The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

  4. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

  5. Ray Wagner, American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Doubleday, 1982.

  6. The World's Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday, 1968.