Vought F8U-2N (F-8D) Crusader — The Last of the USN Gunfighters (III)

Nostalgistic · August 27, 2026, 4:09pm

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🇺🇸 Vought F8U-2N (F-8D) Crusader 🇺🇸

History

The F8U-2N was a natural development of the F8U-2 (F-8C), designed to have improved performance and an increased ability to detect and intercept targets at night and in severe weather conditions. An increase of 1,100 pounds of additional thrust came from the J57-P-20 engine, which was also used in the subsequent F8U-2NE (F-8E). However, the latter’s performance was degraded by its heavier weight due to several modifications. This made the F8U-2N the fastest Crusader variant.

The “N” suffix was added to the original designation to denote a “night” or all-weather capability, which was achieved with the addition of the larger and more powerful Magnavox AN/APQ-83 radar. This radar could provide illumination for the AIM-9C radar-homing version of the Sidewinder missile. AIM-9Cs paired with IR-homing AIM-9Bs would give the F8U-2N an expanded all-weather capability. A number of F8U-2Ns were equipped with an AN/AAS-15 IRST installed in the front of the windscreen for more accurate missile control. The fuselage rocket pack was rendered obsolete and finally deleted, with the space being used to increase fuel capacity and help offset the increased weight of the additional electronic equipment.

Vought built 152 F8U-2N Crusader specialized night fighters between February 1960 and January 1962 for both the US Navy and Marine Corps. The first flight of an F8U-2N took place on February 16, 1960, and deliveries to the fleet began on June 1, 1960. VF-111 Sundowners were the first recipients of the F8U-2N aircraft. The F8U-2N was redesignated F-8D in 1962. After the designation change, this variant was used by only two squadrons in Vietnam: VF-111 aboard USS Midway (CVA-41) and VF-154 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). Both cruises took place during the early war years of 1964–1965, and no MiG kills were scored.

The F-8D also served with VF-32 and VF-31, as well as Marine Corps squadrons VMF(AW)-334 and -451. Although this variant equipped several fleet squadrons and saw heavy action in Vietnam with VF-111 and VF-154, it was quickly superseded by the F-8E model.

In 1967 and 1968, eighty-nine F-8Ds were remanufactured as F-8Hs to extend their service life.

Specifications

🇺🇸 Vought F8U-2N (F-8D) Crusader 🇺🇸

General Characteristics

Crew: 1 (Pilot)

Dimensions:

Length: 54 ft 2.75 in (16.5 m)

Height: 15 ft 9.1 in (4.8 m)

Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.9 m)

Wing Area: 375 sq ft (34.8 sq m)

Powerplant:

Type: 1 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20 afterburning turbojet

Power Output: 18,000 lbf (80 kN)

Fuel/Oil:

Fuel Capacity: 1,348 US gal (5,103 L)

Oil Capacity: 8.5 US gal (32.2 L)

Weight:

Empty: 17,541 lb (7,956 kg)

Gross: 24,482 lb (11,105 kg)

Max. Takeoff: 29,500 lb (13,381 kg)

Engine Ratings

Afterburner
→ 18,000 lbf (80 kN) @ S.S.L

Military
→ 10,700 lbf (47.6 kN) @ S.S.L

Normal
→ 9,150 lbf (40.7 kN) @ S.S.L

Flight Performance

Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.73

Wing Loading: 65.3 lb/sq ft (319.1 kg/sq m)

Max Speed:

Sea Level: 665 kts (765 mph / 1,232 km/h)

At Altitude: 1,067 kts @ 35,000 ft (1,228 mph / 1,976 km/h @ 10,668 m)

Rate of Climb: 34,650 fpm (176 m/s)

Service Ceiling: 54,050 ft (16,474 m)

Armament

Avionics:

1 x AN/APQ-83 search radar

1 x AN/AAS-15 IRST

1 x AN/APR-27 RWR

Guns:

4 x 20 mm Colt Mk.12 cannons (125 rpg; 500 rds)

Missiles:

4 x AIM-9B/C/D Sidewinders

Countermeasures:

Flares/chaff dispensers

Related Suggestions

Sources

US Navy, Standard Aircraft Characteristics, F8U-2N Crusader (1 February 1963)
US Navy, Standard Aircraft Characteristics, F-8D Crusader (1 July 1967)
Jim Sullivan, F-8 Crusader in Action, Squadron/Signal Publications Aircraft Number 70 (1985)
Bert Kinzey, F-8 & RF-8 Crusader in Detail & Scale, Detail & Scale Series Volume 8 (2019)
https://web.archive.org/web/20090225082124/http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f8_6.html

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