Vought F-8 Crusader: America's Last Gunfighter 

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Vought started making superheroes after that.

In 1969 I was flying a Piper Cherokee about 9 miles from NAS Miramar when a F-8 appeared magically next to me, maybe a hundred feet away , wings raised to max angle of attack and gear down. Just as quickly the pilot then tucked everything away and was gone. I called Miramar tower asked what I had done wrong because I thought maybe I had infringed on Miramar airspace They laughed and said the F-8 pilot was deploying to Vietnam and was feeling frisky.

F-8's had a single stage Afterburner. On, off. hearing them take off was impressive, sounded like an explosion.

My dad was a pilot in the marine corps from the late 1950's to the late 1970's. While he flew a variety of planes, including the RF-4B in Viet Nam, he stated on numerous occasions that the F-8 was his favorite plane to fly. For many years, the license plate on his car read F84EVER. Late in his career, he was able to fly in the airshow at Pt. Mugu, CA in an F-8. Along with some formation flying, his main part of the show was to pass by the crowds rather low, pull up, flip upside down, then fire the cannons into the ocean. It was a day I could definitely say my dad had the most awesome job ever.

I flew Navy F-4s. F-8s were very good dog fighters. I for one, never beat an F-8 in 1 v 1.

Fun fact: The B-52 bomber, because it can't rotate back on its gear to take off, has the same idea for the wing, but fixed in the up position -- so when climbing, the fuselage is level, and when flying level, they have a rather alarming nose-down attitude exaggerated by how long and skinny they are.

The F-8 was also the starting point for the very excellent subsonic A-7 attack fighter.

Fun fact about the Crusader's unreliable 20mm gun. This was one of the last gasps of the US version of the Hispano-Suiza cannon that the US ordnance types had screwed up before and during WWII by cutting the chambers ⅛" too deep. And the US military refused to admit they screwed it up,, even with ammunition manufacturers from multiple nations, and the ordnance establishments of multiple nations (including France, the UK, and Canada), and even several prominent US government ordnance experts telling them *exactly* what was wrong. So US H-S design cannons *never* worked right... unless the foreign military buying them (like the RAF during WWII) demanding they be cut with the original chamber dimensions - in which case they were some of the most reliable H-S pattern guns built.

The Movie, “13 Days” from 2000 covers those low-level reconnaissance flights over Cuba and perils the pilots faced.

I am familiar with the F-8. They were deployed on the carrier I was on. (USS Midway-CVA41) I was on board the ship from 1971-1974. I like watching videos of the planes that were onboard. Brings back fond memories. Thanks very much. Keep up the good work!

My uncle William was involved in the design and testing of the F8U1 - he started working for Chance-Vought aircraft just after ww2- he did designing and wind tunnel testing of all plane developed from 1950 till 1990s- his design of the nose and tail section of the F8 are recognized by the plane manufacturers and the US Government

3:00 - Chapter 1 - Development 6:20 - Chapter 2 - Specifications & armament 7:25 - Chapter 3 - F8 in service 11:30 - Chapter 4 - Notable variants 13:25 - Chapter 5 - Design flaws & "mishaps" 16:15 - Chapter 6 - The last crusade

I love the look of the F-8, so unique and menacing.

In the Battle of Samara, first Gulf war, F-15s and Mig 25s fired about 18 missiles at each other and they all missed. The MIG-25s just out ran the missiles and the F-15s just out maneuvered them. Even in 1991 missiles were not that accurate

The Last F8 Crusaders was use from France up to 1999...Interresting detail: the 4x 20mm canons from the Crusader was the Hispano Suiza HS404 who was first use on Morane Saulnier 406 in 1935 (integrated in the Hispano Suiza y12 engine and fire trough the prop shaft), later in the Dewoitine D520 and later in the Yak 1,3 and 9 .The HS404 was modified from the brits in 1941 to be able to be installed in the wings and use belt feed (all british fighters did use the 20mm Hispano ...

From the F-8 to Homelander. Vought has come a long way!

This episode really highlights the complexity of designing planes to operate on a carrier. The F8 would've probably served the Air Force pretty well without needing folding wings that tilt or dangerously high stall speeds.

My uncle flew one of these and died in one in 1967 during the Vietnam War. Thanks for this video on the plane!

In 1985 the air group for Carl Vinson had a bit of composite airgroup (there were not entire detachments available for several specialties; like tankers, photo-recon (supposed to be replaced by F-14 with recon pods). They got 'stuck' with an RF-8 detachment. When we got to the Philippines they Crusader guys had T-shirts made that said "8th annual LAST F-8 deployment!" they did make HALF of the deployment (the pods were finally ready (though problematic, they did not love carrier landings)) before they pulled the Crusaders off the Vinson. The Crusader, on fire, coming off a bolter was the result of a blown tire (after the bolter), and a magnesium wheel, it is probably the most famous footage of a Crusader on an USN flight deck.

One of the few planes that really look like a shark, together with the P-40 and obviously the Me-262

The History RU-vid channel has the Dogfights episode dedicated to the F-8 Crusader which is subtitled The Last Gunfighter. It's an amazing episode.

The reason it was abandoned was the invention of the M61 Vulcan. The M61 not only had the rate of fire if 5-6 cannons in one gun, but was electric not gas or recoil operated. This leans any failure to fire doesn’t stop the gun and all your rounds hit the same spot. Even a single barrel chain gun would work much much better than an autocannon.

"Ensign Eliminator" was NOT a nickname for the F-8 Crusader, but the F-7 Cutlass. That term was used with the F-7 Cutlass due to the high percentage of crashes during carrier landing, and the "perception" that an all too high number of the crashes were with junior Naval Aviators.

A cousin flew them. And loved them. (He called the Phantom a "bomb truck"). That about covers it.

This is one of my favorite jets, and was my first R/C plane. Really simple, no ailerons, rudder and elevator only, nice fan, I had no idea how to fly, but being an over wing, it was very forgiving, fast and slow to turn! After numerous crashes, I gave it to a kid who was watching with his father. After watching many jets and warbirds yard sale, and armed with the proper way to learn...I got a Piper Cub with a prop, ah ha! Now this is flying, AND landing! I say all that because, that little jet was infinitely fun and fast, I started climbing trees again!!

F8 is one gorgeous airplane.

Watching this while flying my favorite plane in game I just thought the crusader was just another in the line of US fighters I guess I never really thought about it’s real place in history and its multitude of accomplishments I just loved it because it’s fast maneuverable and has pretty solid weapon options but knowing its pedigree makes me love it even more

I haven't watched this article but can't help making a comment. On the Internet there is a list of pilots who once ejected from the F-8, simply because "going in" was a characteristic of the plane. I personally saw two crash, one at Cubi Pt in Subic Bay, when a LtCdr winged over during takeoff, hit the water, and plowed in. (I did see one take off at Cubi immediately go straight up out of sight until it created a contrail, then head east.) The other F-8 crash was sort of planned and was seen from the ammunition ship I was on. Our captain, who was an airedale himself, told us to look on the port side, where a Crusader was approaching a carrier. The plane had been damaged over Vietnam, so was unable to land on the carrier. We saw the pilot eject, parachute, and get picked up by a helo. The F-8 just quietly nosed over and splashed. One I didn't see, but saw the pilot later, happened in Japan, where an F-8 crashed in the hills after being safely aimed away from any towns. Then there's the F-4....

The Vought A7 Corsair II is an attack plane that resembles the F8.

There's an animated military thriller called Area 88, the main character flies a Crusader as a mercenary for a foreign legion in the fictional middle eastern country of Aslan, highly recommended.

One thing Simon has not mentioned. Missiles have a MINIMUM range. If you are too close to the enemy, the homing mechanism of the missile does not have enough time to 'guide' to the target.

Awesome vid. My grandfather was a Crusader pilot during Vietnam. He was the squadron commander of VF-111 in 1965 before being shot down during a bomber escort mission. He was awarded 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses for Valor in Combat.

The Crusader's light weight and low landing speed allowed the Navy to use it on older Essex class carriers which couldn't handle larger heavier planes like the Phantom. This gave those carriers longer useful service lives into the early 70s, and also allowed foreign users with smaller carriers to keep a supersonic fixed wing naval fighter capability for a longer time. The Phantom and Tomcat are great airplanes, but you need a supercarrier to operate them at sea.

This plane was really good at flying fast and straight, same for the f4 phantom, it is proof that even a brick can fly if you put a big enough engine in it

1:00 whilst it's a decent game, you will experience a grind like no other when you hit rank 4 vehicles.

The RF-8G lasted in the US Navy Reserves till 1987. I was in the next to last RF-8G squadron (VFP-306) which shut down in 1984, leaving our sister squadron VFP-206 as the sole RF-8G squadron based at NAF Washington DC. The photo reconnaissance variant continued to serve in the active duty Navy with VFP-63 flying RF-8Gs up to 1982, and with the Naval Reserve flying their RF-8Gs in two squadrons (VFP-206 and VFP-306) at Naval Air Facility Washington / Andrews AFB until the disestablishment of VFP-306 in 1984 and VFP-206 on 29 March 1987 when the last operational Crusader was turned over to the National Air and Space Museum.

Absolutely love your videos - your channel, your sense of humor. One of my favorite aviation documentary sources.

As a War Thunder player I have to say "realistic" and "historically accurate" definitely needed finger quotes.

It's also the hero airframe in the anime "Area 88"

The Gator is one of my favorite aircraft ever

The purpose of the variable angle of attack wing was to improve visibility on takeoff and landings. In flight the wing did not rise, the nose went down so you could see the carrier deck. The major portion of the newbie crashes were deck strikes on landing, before they internalized the above fact. Cheers

One of my favorite planes

I’d love to see you do an in depth video on the F-20 ‘Tigershark’. According to many, an outstanding fighter developed from the F-5 Tiger. It was so good that it gave the F-16 a run for its money.

The Philippine Air Force acquired these during the 70’s upon the recommendation of a politician in Washington when the Philippine officials were visiting to look at the F16. Refurbished and added some for parts. Removed from service after some where damaged by the Mt Pinatubo eruption.

I cannot imagine that pilot's meeting with the CAG and the captain after taking off (and landing) with the wingtips still in the stowed position. He was probably sent home for some remedial training and to get a new callsign ("stumpy" or "half cocked")

My father flew F-8's.... Told me about the end swapping but never crashed one. This was a good vid.

In 1969 or 1970 my mothers apartment in Alameda California was destroyed by one of these when it lost it engine just after takeoff. I believe it was New Year's eve. The pilot ejected but several people in the apartments were killed. Thankfully my mother had just left moments before.

I only know of the F-8 as the starting jet in the U.N. Squadron/Area 88 side-scrolling shooter games, where I lovingly called it the "Yum Yum" due to its mouth-like jet inlet.

I've driven by the one displayed at NAD Park in Bremerton WA every day for like 10 years, it definitely been displayed for around 30 tho

“WarThunder is a realistic…” I’m gonna have to stop you right there FactBoy

Oh man! The F8 is one of my favorite planes! Ads cant end soon enough

There is one of these sitting in Weirton WV. I think the F8 was an incredible aircraft

I always thought the F-8 was a gorgeous plane with great lines. The F-4 looks heavy and it overcomes dirty aerodynamics with brute force.

My favorite aircraft. Thank you!

An A7D II Corsair crashed landed Just south of UofA campus 1978. I was in a dorm room, heard the cockpit blow, knew the sound from being stationed at Udorn a primary recovery base in Northern Thailand, saw it slide past my window, ran outside, the pilot landed in the street, I ran up to him, asked if he was ok, he said yeah while winding up his parachute, left when medics came and went to check crash site. The plane may a very distinct sound and I knew what it was, a Corsair. I believe just about every plane the US has made has taken that last flight to The Boneyard, most don't crash but they all fly right over my house. If you love planes it is cool, thou a little sad.

The Phantom, despite being a fast flying brick, couldn’t beat the Crusader… #canttouchthis

Great video man and as always I love the inclusion of anecdotes with the development history, really brings the plane to life.

Love this Plane!!🤘

Super vid Simon! Many thanx 👍👍

Two of my favourite jets, F-8 Crusader and F-4 Phantom....🥰😍😎

Simon playing warthunder I realllly want to see this

I love the F8's in the movie Thirteen Days - also impressive to see one up close at the USS Hornet in Alameda CA

Man with the amount of channels you have with interesting stuff to watch I’ll never run out 😂

These videos always makes our days better

It's difficult to imagine these things and the average passenger car at the same time. Have you ever worked on an early 60s Chevy II? It's tough to imagine the same civilization that built that was also capable of building the aircraft in this video.

Don't forget the Son of Crusader- the A-7 Corsair 2

Overall, good video. Only one mistake: 2:07 - Not air-to-air missiles. Unguided 5-in Zuni air-to-surface rockets.

Jesus... I've never heard of an aircraft taking off from a carrier with its wingtips folded up.

Nice work, and good selection of the F7U photograph, showing to advantage. I know, it wasn’t good but I love the looks. If only…

i love th f8 my 4th favorite plane from us i just unlocked my f8 late last month and now i am ungoing research the second on road to tomcats

I was in the USAF and if you get in front of any fighter, it's a death trap.

Would love to see a video on the PANAVIA Tornado

Nice review of the Crusader Simon. What about a little review of the Grumman Intruder if the Navy is getting some love! The Tomcat has enough people getting excited right now with Top Gun sparking people's memories. How is the Collarbone healing going? Keep up the great work!

Super exciting to see the Saratoga mentioned, had a grandfather that was on that beautiful ship.

Great story of the last gunfighter! Four 20mm canon's is awesome!

I miss driving by the Phantom and Corsair (or was it a Crusader? anyone remember better than I?) mounted on the pylons by the old I-15/I-163 (now Kearny Villa Rd) in front of then NAS Miramar (now MCAS Miramar), what memories. Sneaking a peak while they were landing and taking off as I drove past the east end of the runway. While the F4 was a marvelous plane, menacingly beautiful - my eyes were always drawn back to the A7 or (F8?)... mainly for the gun ports I guess...

The wing tilt generates more lift only when “on deck”. It doesn’t generate more lift in flight. It enables a lower fuselage angle to improve deck visibility when landing on a carrier.

Good video!!! Can make a video on the a6m hamp, zero , any one of them. Anyway i really like your videos they are awsome!!!

Actually, the U.S. Navy, McDonnell, F3H Demon proved to be quite successful with 519 built and serving with the Navy until 1965.

The Crusader was indeed the last of the gunfighters. Unfortunately the gas-operated 20mm Mk-12 cannons were prone to jamming if fired during high-G maneuvers (like during a dogfight). A very serious, bordering on crippling, defect in an aircraft designed to dogfight in an era when dogfighting missiles were also woefully unreliable.

The F8 Crusader was an unsung hero for the Marines and Navy!

Dad called them ensign killers. Lol. He flew the photo reconnaissance version from 59 to 69.

I think guns on a plane and turrets on a plane are actually less expensive stealth technology in the modern age. They can both be in an angled, carbon black housing, that repels radar, while in action. Missles have to be stored inside the fuselage, or radar can detect them, and then they have to be opened up and exposed to be used, which not only takes time, but also reveals the plane as it isn't stealth anymore with the bomb bay open. I would put a big bertha on a modern plane (420mm) in an aerodynamic housing, it would be a huge plane. As long as the radar deflection works, size shouldn't matter. With that you could launch conventional munitions, missles, drones, EMP... etc... and all without worrying as much about the bomb bay doors needing to be open or closed. It would save cost too, but probably be more heavy. More accurate than a bombsight in the nose also. Modern hydraulics and gyroscopes only made plane turrets effective (post WW1) when they became all motorized, like in the B29. B17 ball gun turrets were extremely terrible, because they had slow motors, poor weapons, cramped Conditions... etc. With a larger turret, more armor, 20mm cannons, and a faster motor and gyroscopic targeting system, like in a naval gun, the tactic works. Like in a naval gun vs a kamikaze. I've been noticing this in ww2 videos. There was a point in the war where the luftwaffe couldn't even get close to the b17, because of all the turrets. But then, the luftwaffe started using the bf110 with the kragmuzic 20mm autoturret. With that, they could be outside the range of the b17, and just snipe them with no opposition. Turret vs Turret, Turret wins. Since the dawn of time..

I adore the F-8. Its such a shame they navy didnt spring for the super crusader when it was offered to them

Oh, you should do the bad luck magnet that was the DeHavilland Sea Vixen. Great Plane - Terrible Luck.

That video of the deck crew member getting sucked into a turbine is something else. His helmet saved his life

Great video! can you do on the B-24?

I love that War Thunder is sponsoring you now, I’ve been playing for 5 and a half years now, and it’s always nice to see people getting sponsored by them

This plane was the MC in the anime Area 88

hey Simon, if you want another Megaproject maybe you should do the F-4 too it's an interesting story and I think that you would do a good job!

Thanks Simon and co!

this is like on a motorcycle when people forget to remove their disc brake lock and try to drive away. Many now come with a reminder cable you can secure to the controls to remind you to remove it. Yes you should catch the control lock on your check but missing an item shouldn't result in almost certain death when it could be prevented with an easy reminder...that's why pitot covers have streamers on them.

I used to work on the shorter version A7-E

I have actually been in the pilot's seat of an F-8 Back in the 70's, it is a tight fit.

There was a squadron of F-8 Crusaders at Rickenbacker in Ohio. The squadron was deactivated right after the Gulf War.

Flying with the wings upright is total veteran mode military. "My shit ain't working right". What'd you do? "Fuckin made it work anyway".

Simon can you please cover the F-4 Phantom. It served for decades.

What a truly hideous looking but interesting aircraft.

SIMON please do a video about the F/A-18 superhornet!