Vought F-8E(FN) Crusader
| F-8E(FN) Crusader | |
|---|---|
| A French Navy Crusader over the Mediterranean in 1976 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fleet air defence fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Vought |
| Primary user | Aéronavale |
| Number built | 42 (plus 1 prototype) |
| Serial | 1 − 42 (French Navy) 147036; 151732 – 151773 (BuNo) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1964–65 |
| Introduction date | 1 October 1964 |
| First flight | 27 February 1964 |
| Retired | 15 December 1999 |
| Developed from | Vought F-8 Crusader |
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The F-8E(FN) is a variant of the Vought F-8 Crusader operated exclusively by the French Navy's air arm, the Aéronavale, in the fleet air defence role. The aircraft incorporated a number of design changes from the standard F-8E Crusader that were required to allow its operation from France's aircraft carriers. Entering service in 1964, the Crusader underwent a major upgrade in the late 1980s to allow it to remain in service for another decade while a replacement aircraft was under development. The Crusader was eventually withdrawn in December 1999.