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Description
| Notes: SINGLE-PLACE, SWEPT/VARIABLE-INCIDENCE wing, LAND-BASED trainer with reconnaissance capability. | ||
| Manufacturer: | Vought | |
| Base model: | F-8 | |
| Designation: | RF-8 | |
| Version: | G | |
| Nickname: | Crusader | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service | |
| Designation Period: | 1962-Present | |
| Basic role: | Fighter | |
| Modified Mission: | Reconnaissance | |
| See Also: | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 54' 3" | 16.5 m | |
| Height: | 15' 9" | 4.8 m | |
| Wingspan: | 35' 8" | 10.8 m | |
| Wingarea: | 350.0 sq ft | 32.5 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 17,836 lb | 8,088 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 34,100 lb | 15,464 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney J57-P-4A | ||
Performance
| Range: | 1,425 miles | 2,294 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 570 mph | 917 km/h | 495 kt |
| Max Speed: | 1,133 mph | 1,824 km/h | 985 kt |
| Climb: | 27,200 ft/min | 8,290 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 52,350 ft | 15,956 m | |
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| MCAS El Toro Historical Foundation | Irvine | California |
| USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park | Mobile | Alabama |
RF-8G on display
MCAS El Toro Historical Foundation | USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park |
Recent comments by our visitors
| James Bremner Oak Harbor, WA | I completed two tours of duty with VFP63, both times I deployed on the USS Coral Sea CVA 43. I got very familiar with VFP63, the Coral Sea, and the RF8. The last two West Packs were made as Maintainence Chief of DET 5. As a PHC, this was not normal, but necessary. The other Chief had a heart attack as we were leaving the States in Nov'71.
I was relieved as Maintenance Chief by a ADC and returned to VFP 63 for release from active duty in June 73. I had an intresting 19 month tour as Maintenace Chief; never a dull moment. I had a great crew with three great aircraft. For as old as they were, they performed in an outstanding manner. Thanks to 12 years with VFP 63, and other Photographic Systems, I persued work in the electronic field, and have never looked back. VFP 63 was a great outfit, and will be sorely missed my this old sailor. 06/10/2008 @ 21:46 [ref: 21325] |
| Ernie Halley Palatine, IL | I was attached to VFP-62 at NAS Cecil Field, FL.
VFP-62 shot the low level pictures of the missle sites, during the Cuban Missle Crises, in 1962. The Air Force had U-2's and they took the high level pictures. VFP-62 received the first Navy Unit Commendation ever awarded in peacetime. President Kennedy even came to FL to present the NUC to our Commanding Officer. A RF-8G was just restored, and is now on display in the hangar at Battleship Park. It is a beauty. The Squadron just had our first reunion in April, at Battleship Park, near Mobile, AL. 06/06/2008 @ 13:32 [ref: 21198] |
| Curtis E. Campbell Dusseldorf, OTH | To: Dick Graham
I'm writing in response to the message you posted on behalf of your father. I served with your father (then Lt. Graham "Sugarbear") while assigned to VFP-63 Det-3 aboard USS Constellation CV-64. I was a Photographersmate 3rd Class at that time and maintained the Reconnaissance System for his planes. After a mission I would follow him to CVIC (Carrier Intelligence Center) with the film he had shot and while he debriefed I would process and print said film. I also remember him as one of the "Nicest" pilots I ever met, which I believe is how he earned the handle "Sugarbear". Would be very happy to hear from him again; my e-mail is california_curt@yahoo.com 06/04/2008 @ 09:54 [ref: 21111] |
| Phil Riddle New Windsor, MD | To: Dick Graham, I saw your message, I served with your father "Sugarbear" on the USS Constellation. I work on his aircraft many times. I worked on the elctrical systems as an AE2 form 76 to 80. The RF-8G that your father flew was used in the Iran Hostage incident for photo recon. It was great serving with him. I have a picutre of aircraft 612 with his sugnature. my email is phil.riddle@getmona.com 06/03/2008 @ 12:03 [ref: 21103] |
| john e braun sr california, MD | Was ststioned at Miramar jul 1969 - Jul 1971. My 1st 7 months was with VFP-63 Fighter, then transferred to VF-111. Was there when the jet flew through the hanger roof. Would be great to hear from someone. I am here at Paxriv in Md, and still see one of my original shipmates from my 1st command ( USS Kearsarge CVS-33, 65-69). 03/18/2008 @ 02:49 [ref: 20084] |
| Norman Palosky Lorton, VA | I served with detachments of Photographic Squadron VFP-63 on two Vietnam cruises between 1965 and 1967; one on the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard and one on the U.S.S. Coral Sea.
As a Photographer's Mate I only worked on the photo systems of the RF8 but still thought she was a beautiful bird, especially almost hovering in the wing-tilt position. The most harrowing job on the cruises was installing night-recon flares. You did it in near-darkness and you were never sure that the radar was turned off for you during the install! 02/13/2008 @ 08:58 [ref: 19662] |
| Larry Williams Grapevine, TX | VFP-63 was my first squadron and a great place to start my time in the Navy. I worked in the AT shop from 79 to decommissioning day. I owe a lot to guy's like Woody and Roy Vick who tought me so much working on those F-8's. One of my favorite pilots was LCDR Brady, he had those Tasmanian Devils on his helmet. I have a lot of good memories of my time in that squadron and at Miramar. 01/21/2008 @ 10:53 [ref: 19381] |
| Dick Graham (Sugar Bear) pittsburg, TX | I am writing this for my father. He flew F-8s out of NAS Miramar. Flying off of the Constellation 1976-79. Two Trips to the Indian O. I do know the he flew numbers 610,611,and 612. If anyone was with him during that time he would love to hear from you. 12/03/2007 @ 18:32 [ref: 18780] |
| Dave Eyer San Diego, CA | I was stationed at Nas Miramar ('78-'81)and [also] deployed with VFP-63 DET-5 on USS Nimitz'79-'80. Hi Mike!
I did a year or so of home guard and work ups before the big cruise and worked closely with Arial, Dave Swenson and Wendall Withrow in the AT shop. I skipped out on DET-2, got married and went to Misawa Japan for a few years as a Navy spouse. I've been in touch with some on the old crew over the years including Scotty, Ammo, Okie, JD, McNeil, John D, Manny, Saucier, and a few others. I've been trying to get in touch with Mike Flynn (PR) off and on for many years. Anybody with info on his where-abouts please let me know. I'm still in the north county San Diego area. VFP'ers feel free to drop mt a line. 12/03/2007 @ 18:21 [ref: 18779] |
| Glenn LaFara Indianapolis, IN | I was station at Miramar Naval Air Station from 1975 to 1979. I was an AMS2, station at VFP-63 Det.-4. I met up with Det-4 in October of 1975. I was on the last cruise of the USS Oriskany. I was a Plane Captain for about a year and a half then got to the airframe shop. The last cruise I was on was a Med. on the USS America in 1979. It was a great cruise. I would like to hook up with anybody who remembers me. Sten Avila I remember you. My e-mail is glennlafara@sbcglobal.net or look up my number and call.
Thank you. 11/18/2007 @ 07:30 [ref: 18580] |
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