The Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III. This strange looking aircraft was to be a successor to the well known F-8 Crusader. The 2 large fins underneath the aircraft were known as ventral fins. They were used to help stabilize the aircraft during Mach 2+ flight conditions. It was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney J75-P-5A turbojet afterburning engine with 29,500 pounds of thrust. It also had a option to be to fit a Rocketdyne XLF-40 liquid-fueled rocket motor with an additional 8,000 pounds of thrust. Had a demonstrated top speed of Mach 2.39 although there are some speculations that it could reach mach 2.9. Had a service ceiling of 65,000 ft. With a zoom climb ceiling well above 76,000 ft. Had a t-w ratio of 0.97. Was to be armed with 4x colt mk12 cannons 3x AIM-7 Sparrow and 4x AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. This aircraft lost out in competition to the F4H which is better known as the famous F-4 Phantom II. It could reportedly fly circles around the phantoms and when in use with NASA would routinely defeat the phantoms in mock dogfights. Only 5 of these planes were built and all were scrapped.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 10:56:30 +0000
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