Click on thumbnail pic to see larger pic
The F8U-1P (RF-8A) first flew on 17Dec56 and joined the fleet in Sep57. The Crusader's first operational test came during 1962 when Soviet made Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles were discovered in Cuba. Four Marine pilots were assigned to U. S. Navy Photo Squadron VFP-62 to augment that squadron. The subsequent reconnaissance flights over Cuba began on 23Oct62 under the code-name "Blue Moon." The Crusader shot more than 160,000 photos during a six-week operation. All the pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross for this operation.
1
1MAWInsig.jpg
2
vmcj1Insig.jpg
3
RF8ADodsonTruck.gif
4
rf8dirty.jpg
5
RF8GMARTDDallas.jpg
6
RF8GNose.jpg
7
RF8GVMJ4Dallas.jpg
FLIGHT PERFORMANCE DATA
WING SPAN - 35' 8"
WING AREA - 375 SQ FT
LENGTH - 54' 3"
HEIGHT - 15' 9"
GROSS WEIGHT - 27,822 LBS
ENGINE - PRATT & WHITNEY J57-P-4A
THRUST - 10,200 LBS/16,000 LBS IN AB
MAX SPEED - 983 MPH
RANGE - 2000 NAUTICAL MILES
CEILING - 51,800 FEET
ARMAMENT - CAMERAS
