F-8 Crusader

Includes:

• F-8A (F8U-1)
• F-8B (F8U-1E)
• F-8C (F8U-2)
• F-8D (F8U-2N)
• F-8E (F8U-2NE)
• F-8H
• F-8J
• F-8K
• F-8L
• RF-8A (F8U-1P)
• RF-8G

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The Vought F-8 Crusader was a legendary carrier-based fighter of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Nicknamed the "Last of the Gunfighters", it was the final American fighter designed primarily around its cannon armament.
This mod brings together multiple Crusader variants — from the early fleet interceptors to upgraded reconnaissance and modernized versions — spanning decades of naval aviation history.

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• Custom 3D models for each major variant
• Unique loadouts and weapon configurations
• Detailed liveries and serials for U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, French Navy and Philippine Air Force
• Special versions for the French Navy (F-8E(FN) and F-8P)
• Shoehorn ECM upgrade on later models

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F-8A (F8U-1) – Original production variant with J57-P-4 afterburning engine, 4x Colt Mk12 20mm cannons and AN/APG-30A ranging radar. Can carry the AIM-9B air-to-air missile on single pylons on either side of the fuselage. Featured an internal rocket pack which could hold 32x FFAR rockets, but was never used due to concerns over safety, reliability and air drag. It is not modeled in-game.
F-8B (F8U-1E) – New AN/APS-67 search/fire control radar for all-weather operations
F-8C (F8U-2) – More powerful J57-P-16 engine, new ventral fins for yaw stability. Double pylons for AIM-9 missiles introduced.
F-8D (F8U-2N) – J57-P-20 engine, internal rocket pack replaced with a fuel tank, improved avionics including an automatic throttle system for carrier landings. New IRST sensor on the nose.
F-8E (F8U-2NE) – Larger AN/APQ-94 radar hosted in a bigger nose cone, AGM-12 Bullpup capability (resulting in the avionics "hump" on the upper fuselage), ground attack capability with wing pylons, and the improved AIM-9D missile as well as the unique AIM-9C radar-guided variant.
F-8H – Rebuilt F-8D with strengthened airframe and landing gear, with a new AN/APQ-84 radar. 35 of them were acquired by the Philippines in the late 70s.
F-8J – Rebuilt F-8E with a modified wing including blown flaps. Upgraded AN/APQ-124 radar.
F-8K – Modernized F-8C, featuring AGM-12 Bullpup capability and retrofitted J57-P-420 engine. Mostly flown in USN and USMC reserve squadrons.
F-8L – F-8B which received the aerodynamic ventral fins and the ability to carry ordnance underneath the wings. Kept the old J57-P-4 engine. Also mostly served in USN/USMC reserve squadrons.
RF-8A (F8U-1P) – Unarmed reconnaissance version used extensively during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War.
RF-8G – Modernized RF-8A with the addition of aerodynamic ventral fins and ECM systems from the Shoehorn program. Flown until 1987 when it was retired from Naval Reserve squadrons.
F-8E(FN) – French Navy version adapted for the Clemenceau-class carriers, with 42 airframes acquired in 1964. It features a modified wing and enlarged stabilators, and the AN/APQ-104 radar which can guide the Matra R.530 semi-active radar homing missile. Carried the Magic 1 missile starting in the 1970s.
F-8P – French Navy modernization starting in 1993 as a stopgap measure during the Rafale M’s development. Features improved avionics, a zero-zero ejection seat and the Sherloc threat warning system. The P stands for "Prolongé" (Extended).

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Introduced in the late 1950s, the Crusader quickly became one of the most respected naval fighters of its era.
It was the first U.S. Navy aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight and scored the highest kill ratio of any Navy jet during the Vietnam War.
France operated the Crusader from the 1960s until 1999, making it one of the longest-serving carrier fighters in history.

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• Subscribe to the mod
• Enable it in the mod menu in-game
• Enjoy

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Developed by:

• Smartparttart – Base model
• misaka – aircraft setup, animations and variant model changes
• Berdo – UV map, textures, loadouts and liveries
• Frenchy56 – Research, loadouts and liveries
• Moussticot – Research

Special thanks:

• unfathomablyfoolish – Amazing screenshots
• skyblazer – Blender support
• petrouvis – LAU-33 dual Zuni pod
• nuclearstonk – NTU AIM-9C and AIM-9G
• misaka – R.550-2 missile config

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Found a bug or have suggestions?
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