Stackup Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 6 hours ago, Bremspropeller said: Both are VFP-63 jets, though. VFP-63 was a photo recce unit, flying recce-birds into the early 80s. The fighter-models were used for training, as VF-124 (the west coast Gator RAG) transitioned to Tomcats in 1972 and VFP-63 took over the RAG role. So the first is a fighter version an as such still has the IRST while the second has been converted to the camera system? Interesting. Aircraft: F-14A/B, F/A-18C, F-16C, F-5E, FC3, AV-8B, Mirage 2000C, L-39, Huey, F-86, P-51, P-47, Spitfire, Mosquito, Supercarrier Maps: Persian Gulf, Syria, NTTR, Marianas, Normandy 2, Channel Upcoming Modules Wishlist: A-7E, A-6E, F-4, F-8J, MiG-17F, A-1H, F-100D, Kola Peninsula Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremspropeller Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Stackup said: So the first is a fighter version an as such still has the IRST while the second has been converted to the camera system? Interesting. No. Both are fighters. The photo version looked different. VFP-63 was the RAG for all the Crusaders when VF-124 transitioned to Tomcats. They flew both, their operational photo ships, as well as some fighters. The east coast RAG (VF-174) had become the A-7 RAG in the late 60s. BTW: This photo-bird is a "late" RF-8G It not only has the vental fins for improved high speed stability, but also the two afterburner cooling scoops that became neccessary, when they were upgraded with the -420 motor (same as in the later Juliets and some Hotels). Must have een a hell of a fun ride! Edited July 29, 2023 by Bremspropeller 1 So ein Feuerball, JUNGE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stackup Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 26 minutes ago, Bremspropeller said: No. Both are fighters. The photo version looked different. VFP-63 was the RAG for all the Crusaders when VF-124 transitioned to Tomcats. They flew both, their operational photo ships, as well as some fighters. The east coast RAG (VF-174) had become the A-7 RAG in the late 60s. BTW: This photo-bird is a "late" RF-8G It not only has the vental fins for improved high speed stability, but also the two afterburner cooling scoops that became neccessary, when they were upgraded with the -420 motor (same as in the later Juliets and some Hotels). Must have een a hell of a fun ride! All cool stuff and I can't wait to fly it in DCS! Back to the IRST though, if they are both F-8J's and therefore, both fighters, what does being attached to VFP-63 have to do with the IRST and do you know if the J will be equipped with the same one the E got? Or is it a case of not all E models recieved the IRST and therefore only those airframes that did would still have it when they were upgraded to J's? 1 Aircraft: F-14A/B, F/A-18C, F-16C, F-5E, FC3, AV-8B, Mirage 2000C, L-39, Huey, F-86, P-51, P-47, Spitfire, Mosquito, Supercarrier Maps: Persian Gulf, Syria, NTTR, Marianas, Normandy 2, Channel Upcoming Modules Wishlist: A-7E, A-6E, F-4, F-8J, MiG-17F, A-1H, F-100D, Kola Peninsula Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremspropeller Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 (edited) I'm not sure the IRST was used for a long time or used consistently. You don't read that mch about it and it was most probably a spares issue on the boat. RedFlash 211 (a Juliet) at the ramp without an IRST Red Flash 205 with the IRST clearly uninstalled. Check out the RHAW antenna on the intake. Just like the jet above. Red Flash 211 and 206 with IRST (housings at least). Both are Juliets. Note the different radome colours. Possibly pre-modification, as neither have RHAW antennae on the intake. Again Red Flash 211 - seems like the jet at the boat has a different BuNo. Superheat 213 (should be a Project Shoehorn "Echo") with IRST Superheat 201 - no IRST The F-8D was the earliest version with the IRST. Not 100% sure if that was a retrofit during production when preparing for the Echo or if the Deltas came with IRST right from the start. The Phillippines Air Force Deltas certainly had them retained, while many Hotels (upgraded Deltas) had them taken off: Superheat 202 without an IRST after being converted into a Hotel. Same jet: 205 207 Old Nick 460 (a Delta) with the IRST: Old Nick 105 (a Hotel) with the IRST taken off: Old Nick 101 with... ...and without the IRST (same jet). Batter Up 116 (Hotel) without the IRST (MIG-KILLER) Two Dallas Hunters Hotels with the IRST: A Superheats jet without the IRST, but with a wing-pylon, which became a thing with the Hotel. ...and with IRST... https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Navy/Vought-F-8H-Crusader/2476840/L I think one can conclude, that the IRSTs may or may not be installed in the fighters that had the capability (Delta/ Hotel and Echo/ Juliet). It's also clear, that if they didn't have the IRST, it was taken off the jet, instead of the jet never having it. Edited July 29, 2023 by Bremspropeller 1 2 So ein Feuerball, JUNGE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streakeagle Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 In the case of the F-4B, the IRST proved to be of limited use compared to the radar that just took up weight, space, and maintenance hours. No other F-4 variants ever carried the IRST. USAF F-4Cs retained the pod to simplify production, as it was a "minimum change" variant of the F-4B. The IRST on F-4Bs was rapidly replaced by RWR antennas due to Vietnam experience with SA-2 SAMs. It is easy to see the difference in photos as flat black pod is either empty or has an antenna, whereas true IRST pods have the mirrored glass dome on nose. It doesn't surprise me that F-8s would have phased them out depending on parts availability and the decision of maintenance officers to reduce workload and increase uptime. I wonder why the F-8's IRST pod wasn't hijacked for RWR and/or ECM antenna use like the F-4? [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oesau Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 (edited) This discussion got me looking into more info on the earlier IRST and as noted above it's difficult however I did find this (how it was presented to the pilot) as which according to the post in another forum "This picture shows the IRST of the F-8D and early F-8E" Edited August 1, 2023 by Oesau 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upyr1 Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Any chance we can get a Vietnam era Essex-class carrier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenus Posted December 7, 2023 Share Posted December 7, 2023 please tell me this ain´t dead 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremspropeller Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 (edited) On 3/14/2019 at 10:52 AM, MiG21bisFishbedL said: Lack of IRST bulb indicates this is a mark prior to E, any ideas? WU tailcode = VMF-334 "Falcons" The beta-vane on top of the radome indicates an A thru C variant. All-black radome indicates a B or C. Keel fins indicade a C. The A would have the smaller ranging radome: Edited March 24 by Bremspropeller 1 So ein Feuerball, JUNGE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cab Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 On 12/7/2023 at 3:18 PM, Ravenus said: please tell me this ain´t dead Maybe more of an induced coma. But I’m concerned the patient could still die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spino Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 Highly concerning, I was looking forward to this jet. Website (DCS Content): https://sites.google.com/view/spinossimulationsite/home?authuser=0 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpinosSimulations System Specs: Ryzen 7 5800X, RTX 3060, 32GB DDR4-3200 RAM DCS Wishlist: F-8E/J Crusader, Kola Peninsula Map, F-14B(U), F-14D/ST-21 Super Tomcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cab Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 57 minutes ago, Spino said: Highly concerning, I was looking forward to this jet. Yeah, it's number one on my wish list. They said some time ago they were placing it on the backburner for other priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunfreak Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 1 hour ago, Spino said: Highly concerning, I was looking forward to this jet. Unless they are drastically changing how they do development. I wouldn't expect the F8 in this decade. 1 i7 13700k @5.2ghz, GTX 3090, 64Gig ram 4800mhz DDR5, M2 drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carss Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 I think priority right now is Corsair, after that we'll hear more about the Crusader 1 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Planes: FC3, P-51, F-86, F-5E, Mirage 2000, F/A-18, F-14, F-16, Mig-19P :joystick: ED pls gib A-4 and F-4 :cry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlikwin Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 1 hour ago, carss said: I think priority right now is Corsair, after that we'll hear more about the Crusader Corsair has been in every coming soon vid for like 3-4 years now... Its not comin... New hotness: I7 9700k 4.8ghz, 32gb ddr4, 2080ti, :joystick: TM Warthog. TrackIR, HP Reverb (formermly CV1) Old-N-busted: i7 4720HQ ~3.5GHZ, +32GB DDR3 + Nvidia GTX980m (4GB VRAM) :joystick: TM Warthog. TrackIR, Rift CV1 (yes really). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Hoss Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I can remember laying in my rack under the Port Bow Cat and the F-8 going into afterburner for its cat shot... there was a very big and loud boom..... We had VFP-63 on board the Connie, back in the late 70's early 80's. 2 Sempre Fortis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cab Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 1 hour ago, Harlikwin said: Corsair has been in every coming soon vid for like 3-4 years now... Its not comin... I know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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