Here are 3 videos that say it all:
Dogfight: 4 Migs-17 vs. F-8 Crusader
F-8E Crusader versus Mig 21
Simulation
NOTE: The number 19 in the opening shot stands for CVA 19, the USS Hancock, which my squadron VF211 deployed on. The F8 with side-numbers 1xx one of our sister squadrons, our F8's had side-number of 2xx.
F8 Crusader carrier landing
6 comments:
Greetings- thanks for posting the videos of the F-8, my favorite jet. I never served; turned down for health problems back in '79. I was in NJROTC in high school though, and got to go out on USS Blakely (FF1072) for a few days.
I fell out with the republicans as well, but when Reagan took away education and medical research funding when people like me needed it. I'm really fed up with this administration and the religious right and their rampant hypocrisy.
Anyway, I live close enough to P'cola to make the Museum of Naval Aviation a 3 day weekend. Did you fly the Gator? Hell of a ACM machine!
David,
I wasn't a pilot, I retired with rank of ATC, Aviation Electronics Technician, Chief (E7).
But, at the time I retired I was the resident grue on PCs at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA. COMNAVAIRPAC depended on me for PC training since (at the time) I was the only one who had any experience on PCs. Which started me on my present career.
Computer System Specialist
IT Technician
Were you ship's company or with the air wing? Did you work on the F-8? Sorry for the 'kid like' questions but it is tough to find guys who actually got to touch an operational Crusader nowadays.
VF211 out of NAS Miramar, San Diego, CA
The base is now MACS Miramar.
I was also with Topgun at NAS Miramar, the same time Duke (the crook) Cunningham was there.
What was the Crusader like to work on? I've heard what a nightmare the Phantom was; but not too much about the F-8.
The videos are of the F8.
At the time (late '60) it was the best, that is until the F14 came out.
The Navy (DOD) finally made a contract for an aircraft that included a minimum flight-hrs/maintenance-hrs. The result was the F14 was a dream when it came to maintenance.
Examples:
Engine-change: F8 = remove the tail section (including disconnects), disconnects on engine, remove the engine, then reverse the process for installing new engine. 8hrs+
F14 = Open the engine bay clam-shell, tension the engine hoist (built into the engine bay), disconnects incl. mounting pins, drop the engine on to a carrier, roll the new engine (on its carrier) up, hoist into place, connects & pins, close engine bay. 2hrs
F8 = Electronic and electrical stems required a large roll-around tool chest (think Craftsman 128 size) full of different connector repair tools.
F14 = One small brief-case size tool box with every tool you needed to repair any connector on the aircraft. Big savings on replacement part stock and tools.
The F14 was the very first DOD contract to include the maintenance-hrs/cost specification and has been the standard ever since. Aircraft manufacturers had to consider the time and cost spent on maintains when designing military aircraft.
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