The Vought F-8 Crusader (originally F8U) is a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft [2] designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Vought. It was the last American fighter that had guns as the primary weapon, earning it the title "The Last of the Gunfighters". [3][4]

This RF-8G was the last operational Navy F-8. Delivered as an F8U-1P, it spent its first seven years with the Marine Corps and flew 400 combat hours in Southeast Asia. Its career total of 7,475.2 flight hours is the most of any U.S. Navy Crusader built.

The RF-8G was ultimately to be the longest-serving US version of the Crusader, serving long after its fighter cousins had been withdrawn. The last active duty Navy unit to fly the RF-8G was VFP-63, which relinquished its planes in June of 1982. The …

VFP-206 was a Light Photographic Squadron of the United States Navy Reserve established on 1 June 1970. The squadron was disestablished on 29 March 1987. [1] VFP-206 would be the last US Navy unit to operate the F-8 Crusader and was the last specialized photographic reconnaissance aircraft in Navy service.

This RF-8G was the last operational Navy Crusader . Delivered as an F8U-1P, Served with the US Marine Corps in Asia and flew over 400 combat sorties. Squadrons flown by: VMCJ-3, VC-7, and VFP-206.

The F-8 made history almost immediately on August 21, 1956, winning the U. S. Navy’s first Thompson Trophy for setting the first national speed record of more than 1,000 mph (1,015.428 mph) Code-named “Blue Moon”, NAS Key West, Florida-based RF-8As of VFP-62 flew twice daily low-level high-speed sorties over Soviet missile sites on the ...

The RF-8G was the reconnaissance version of the F-8 Crusader Navy fighter. The Crusader was nicknamed The Last of the Gunfighters because they were the last Navy plane designed with cannon as the primary weapon.

Florida-based RF-8As of VFP-62 were to fly repeated missions over Soviet missile sites that were in preparation on the island of Cuba, providing evidence of their existence and monitoring the progress of their crews in getting them operational. Code …

The RF-8 was the photo version of the F-8 Crusader, a single seat supersonic (mach 1.5 approx. 1100 mph) jet, with no armament. It had four camera bays, aft of the pilot, two on each side of the plane.

Converted to a RF-8G. Removed from storage for conversion. To Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 206 (VFP-206), Carrier Air Reserve Wing Twenty (CVWR-20), Washington NAF, MD. Notes: At Glenview NAS, IL during open house. Last carrier landing aboard CV-66 USS America off the Virginia coast.