Snowden, Ernest M.: F8U Crusader

This richly illustrated volume highlights the storied role of the F8U Crusader in carrier-based aviation during the Cold War and the Vietnam Warfrom setting speed records to earning the nickname "Last of the Gunfighters." Thanks to its unmatched air-combat performance and an operational history spanning four decades, the Crusader holds a distinguished place in the history of carrier-based aircraft. Drawing on the expertise of Naval Institute Press authors and historians, the "Naval History Special Editions" series focuses on significant ships, battles, and events of armed conflicts. With their image-rich format, these special editions appeal equally to professionals, aviation enthusiasts, and the general public. From its maiden flight in 1955, the F8U Crusader proved to be an exceptional aircraft that cemented the reputation of Navy pilots as an elite fighter force. Building on the success of the F4U Corsair, aviation pioneer Chance Vought ushered the US Navy into the supersonic age with the Crusaderthe first carrier-based fighter to exceed 1,000 mph (approx. 1,600 km/h) in level flight. The Crusader earned the Navy its first Thompson Trophy for military aircraft speed and won the Collier Trophy for its innovative carrier-operation features. In 1957, future astronaut John Glenn set a new transcontinental speed record in an F8U-1P, flying from California to New York in just 3 hours and 23 minutes. At a time when onboard guns were increasingly being replaced by guided missiles, Voughts designers retained an integrated cannon; This cemented the Crusader's reputation as the "Last of the Gunfighters" and secured the loyalty of its pilots. The Crusader played a vital role in U.S. Cold War operations. The reconnaissance variant, the F8U-1Pthe longest-serving Crusader modelsaw its first action during the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing irrefutable low-altitude aerial imagery of Soviet activities. During the Vietnam War, Crusader pilots achieved an impressive 6-to-1 kill ratio, outperforming both Air Force and Navy F-4 Phantom pilotsa testament to the aircraft's agility and the dogfighting-focused mindset of its pilots. Although retired from U.S. Navy service in 1987, the Crusader's legacy endured; it continued to fly for the Philippine Air Force and the French Navy until 1999forty-four years after its maiden flight. Author Ernest Snowden, a former naval aviator, offers a detailed look at the design and operational history of this legendary aircraft, making the book essential reading for enthusiasts of aerial combat history.