The Vought F-8 Crusader was an American in-flight fighter and attacker from the post-war period. The drive, in the F-8E version, was provided by a single engine Pratt and Whitney J57-P-20A with 47.6 kN thrust without afterburner. The first flight of this machine took place in 1955. Its serial production started shortly after. In total, over 1,200 machines of this type were built. The length of the aircraft was 16.53 meters with a wingspan of 10.87 meters. In the F-8E version, the on-board armament consisted of four 20mm Colt Mk.12 cannons. The machine could also take a load of bombs, unguided and guided missiles.
The Vought F-8 Crusader was developed for the US Navy as a successor to the completely unsuccessful Vought F-7U-1 Cutlass. It was characterized by a much more conservative design, but it was also much easier to pilot, operate and operate. Equally important, it also turned out to be significantly less failure-prone than its predecessor. It also had a much better maximum speed (the first serial supersonic deck fighter!), Maneuverability and good take-off and landing characteristics from the deck of an aircraft carrier. In general, a very successful plane was created, which remained in service with the US Navy as a fighter until 1976, and in the French naval aviation - until 1999! In the course of serial production, many versions of this aircraft were created, including: F-8U-1 (first production version), F-8U-2N (night fighter) and F-8E (FN)[wersja dla marynarki francuskiej] . Vought F-8 Crusader aircraft took an active part in several armed conflicts, but were used particularly intensively during the Vietnam War of 1964 / 1965-1975.