Subject: Vought F-8 Crusader (6 of 18)

From: [email-masked] (joseph.f.baugher)
Date: 7 Sep 94 01:08:00 GMT

The F8U-2N was a limited all-weather interceptor version of the 
Crusader, the "N" standing for "night".  The first example flew on 
February 16, 1960.  The F8U-2N had an even more powerful J57-P-20 
engine, delivering 10,700 lb.s.t. dry and 18,000 lb.s.t. with 
afterburning.  The F8U-2N was originally intended to be a night 
fighter with improved radar and avionics.  Perhaps the most important 
addition was an approach power compensator (APC), designed to make 
carrier deck landings safer and easier for new and inexperienced 
pilots to handle.  The APC was basically a means by which the approach 
speed could be kept constant even in spite of wind gusts.  It involved 
a computer, an accelerometer, a servo amplifier and actuator, and 
pilot's control panel, all of which interfaced with the existing angle 
of attack detector.  This system was engaged when the wing was in the 
"up" position, and automatically detected deviations in normal 
accelerations which would result in a less-than-optimum approach 
airspeed.  During a normal approach, the APC could maintain airspeed 
within a 4-knot window.  Also included in the F8U-2n instrumentation 
suite was a "push-button" autopilot that relieved the pilot of some 
automatic functions during defensive sorties.  The four-cannon 
armament was retained, as well as the four-Sidewinder capability.  The 
F8U-2N finally did away with the speedbrake-mounted rocket pack in 
order to provide space for increased fuel capacity, raising the total 
internal fuel to 1348 gallons.  

The first F8U-2N flew on February 16, 1960.  A total of 152 were built 
between June 1960 to January 1962.  VF-111 was the first squadron to 
fly this variant.  These also served with VF-32 and VF-31, and with 
the Marine Corps squadrons VMF(AW)-334 and -451.  

In September of 1962, the F8U-2N was redesignated F-8D in accordance 
with the Tri-Service designation scheme.  

Serials of F8U-2N (F-8D)

147035/147077	Vought F8U-2N Crusader - redesignated F-8D in 1962.
147896/147925	Vought F8U-2N Crusader - redesignated F-8D in 1962.
148627/148710	Vought F8U-2N Crusader - redesignated F-8D in 1962.

Specification of Chance Vought F8U-2N Crusader: 

One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20 turbojet, 10,700 lb.s.t. dry, 18,000 lb.s.t 
with afterburning.  Maximum speed: 1228 mph (Mach 1.86) at 35,000 
feet, 764 mph at sea level.  Cruising speed 570 mph.  Stalling speed 
162 mph.  Service ceiling 42,900 feet.  Combat celling 53,400 feet.  
Combat radius 453 miles with four Sidewinders, combat range 1737 miles 
(guns only).  Internal fuel capacity 1348 US gallons.  Dimensions: 
wingspan 35 feet 8 inches, length 54 feet 3 inches, height 15 feet 9 
inches, wing area 375 square feet.  Weights: 17,541 pounds empty, 
25,098 pounds combat, 28,765 pounds gross, 29,000 pounds maximum 
takeoff.  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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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