Subject: Vought F-8 Crusader (7 of 18)

From: [email-masked] (joseph.f.baugher)
Date: 8 Sep 94 01:59:43 GMT

The F8U-2NE was the final production version of the Crusader for the US 
Navy.  It was an improvement of the F8U-2N with a new and even larger 
APQ-94 search and fire-control radar that gave it improved all-weather 
capability.  The larger scanner required by the radar necessitated an 
enlarged and slightly extended nose cone, increasing the overall 
length of the F8U-2NE by three inches.  The radar scanner was 
surmounted by a housing for an infrared scanner that was used in 
conjunction with the Sidewinder missiles.  Additional avionics were 
installed in a hump in the wing center section which made the aircraft 
capable of firing the AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-surface.  However, this 
weapon was rarely actually used.  

The F8U-2NE differed from previous Crusaders in having a substantial 
air-to-ground capability.  On all but the first few examples of the 
F8U-2NE, there were two underwing pylons provided, each capable of 
carrying a 2000-lb bomb.  The F8U-2NE could carry the full range of 
attack weapons, up to 5000 pounds, a typical load being four 
1000-pound bombs plus eight Zuni unguided rockets carried on launchers 
attached to the sides of the fuselage.  

The first F8U-2NE was obtained by modifying F8U-1 BuNo 143710.  Its 
first flight was on June 30, 1961.  The first production F8U-2NE was 
delivered in September of 1962.  

On September 18, 1962, the F8U-2NE was redesignated F-8E under the new 
unified Tri-Service designation system.  

The first carrier trials of the F-8E took place aboard the USS 
*Forrestal* in 1963.  A total of 286 F-8Es were built, the last 
example rolling off the production line in the summer of 1964.  

Serials of F8U-2NE (F-8E)

149134/149227	Vought F8U-2NE Crusader - redesignated F-8E in 1962.
150285/150355	Vought F8U-2NE Crusader - redesignated F-8E in 1962
150654/150683	Vought F8U-2NE Crusader - redesignated F-8E in 1962
150843/150932	Vought F8U-2NE Crusader - redesignated F-8E in 1962

Specification of Chance Vought F8U-2NE (F-8E) Crusader: 

One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20 turbojet, 10,700 lb.st dry, 18,000 lb.s.t 
with afterburning.  Maximum speed: 1133 mph (Mach 1.72) at 35,000 
feet.  Cruising speed 570 mph at 28,600 feet Initial climb rate 27,200 
feet per minute.  Climb to 57,000 feet in 6 minutes.  Service ceiling 
59,000 feet.  Combat celling 52,350 feet.  Combat radius 600 miles 
(unrefuelled).  Combat range 1425 miles at 560 mph at 36,000 feet.  
Dimensions: wingspan 35 feet 8 inches, length 54 feet 6 inches, height 
15 feet 9 inches, wing area 350 square feet.  Weights: 17,836 pounds 
empty, 28,000 pounds fully loaded without external stores, 34,100 
pounds gross.  Armed with four 20-mm Colt Mk-12 cannon in the 
fuselage.  Four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles could be carried on rails 
attached to the side of the fuselage.  Up to 4000 pounds of bombs or 
rockets could be carried on the underwing pylons.  For ground attack 
missions, twelve 250-pound bombs, eight 500-pound bombs, or four 
1000-pound bombs, plus eight Zuni unguided air-to-surface rockets, or 
two AGM-12A or AGM-12B Bullpup missiles could be carried.  

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.

Joe Baugher			**************************************
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