The Crusader Association

DEDICATED TO THE MEN WHO FLEW AND SUPPORTED THE MAGNIFICENT F8 CRUSADER FIGHTER

The F8 Crusader was a U.S. Navy single-seat carrier-based fighter built by Chance Vought. It was the world's first production aircraft capable of flying more than 1000 miles per hour in level flight and the first to fly supersonic from coast to coast. As the last U.S. fighter designed with 20mm cannons as its primary weapon, it became known as "The Last of the Gunfighters." Introduced in 1956 and repeatedly upgraded, the fighter and photo reconnaissance versions served the Navy and Marine Corps for 30 years. Two squadrons of F8's were also flown by the French Navy from 1965 through 1999. The F8 saw extensive action during the 1962 Cuban Mission Crisis, the Cold War and Vietnam. Of all the U.S. aircraft, the Crusader earned the best combat success rate against North Vietnamese aircraft. The last F8 fighter departed the fleet in 1980.

The photo reconnaissance aircraft remained until 1987.