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F-8 Crusader


MrDieing

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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.

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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.

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/img/s/v-3/p1999354829-4.jpg

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

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51044199472_2dca9dedc4_z.jpg

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 by Bremspropeller
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So ein Feuerball, JUNGE!

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26 minutes ago, Bremspropeller said:

No. Both are fighters. The photo version looked different.

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/img/s/v-3/p1999354829-4.jpg

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

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51044199472_2dca9dedc4_z.jpg

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?

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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

http://img.bemil.chosun.com/site/data/img_dir/2019/02/12/2019021201233_0.jpg

Red Flash 205 with the IRST clearly uninstalled. Check out the RHAW antenna on the intake. Just like the jet above.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49940025982_905a16c715_b.jpg

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.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/a9/5b/7fa95b7a5d06df3c91afd3c97dc0576f.jpg

Again Red Flash 211 - seems like the jet at the boat has a different BuNo.

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/img/s/v-10/p1733279031-4.jpg

 

Superheat 213 (should be a Project Shoehorn "Echo") with IRST

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d0/2e/03/d02e037641c66c68ec1e697571840db8.jpg

Superheat 201 - no IRST

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1640/25214025424_22193326fe_b.jpg

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:

27581494051_37f532689d_b.jpg

Superheat 202 without an IRST after being converted into a Hotel.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a7/d6/8a/a7d68a9ee99f6d4c31c14042f1d5d435.jpg

Same jet:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_u1GQtVT3jFg/TBQXrUa4XPI/AAAAAAAABCU/9_y4RvcO5mE/s1600/FIGHTER+SQUADRON+ONE+SIX+TWO+_+VF-162+HUNTERS+15.jpg

205

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_u1GQtVT3jFg/TBQXq5l40HI/AAAAAAAABCE/lzBM2nMCFgM/s1600/FIGHTER+SQUADRON+ONE+SIX+TWO+_+VF-162+HUNTERS+17.jpg

207

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_u1GQtVT3jFg/TBQXsGryNsI/AAAAAAAABCc/cjw1sh-ArkM/s1600/FIGHTER+SQUADRON+ONE+SIX+TWO+_+VF-162+HUNTERS+14.jpg

Old Nick 460 (a Delta) with the IRST:

https://hushkit.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/e8a36cf16e6323daf5be762d3387e403-1.jpg

Old Nick 105 (a Hotel) with the IRST taken off:

https://navy-seventies.pagesperso-orange.fr/Images/F-8H%20148684%20AJ105%20VF-111%20-%207.jpg

Old Nick 101  with...

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3d/ef/2a/3def2ad96b8ef7ac7154660b9fb6793e.jpg

...and without the IRST (same jet).

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d4/f7/57/d4f7576547c0274b1b3178bcb831f327.jpg

Batter Up 116 (Hotel) without the IRST (MIG-KILLER)

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_u1GQtVT3jFg/TBPHExmsDRI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Ibmpl9bJAus/s1600/IFIGHTER+SQUADRON+FIVE+ONE,+VF-51+SCREAMING+EAGLES+20.jpg

Two Dallas Hunters Hotels with the IRST:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/69/ec/22/69ec222aa2bd9e1c1e946a26fa2003f3.jpg

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/img/s/v-10/p1610221763-4.jpg

A Superheats jet without the IRST, but with a wing-pylon, which became a thing with the Hotel.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ee/2f/29/ee2f292ca0a328c8c5fecd485b0d22fa.jpg

...and with IRST...

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/img/s/v-3/p1610221366-4.jpg

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 by Bremspropeller
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So ein Feuerball, JUNGE!

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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?

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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"

post-2042-12712109080675.jpg


Edited by Oesau
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On 3/14/2019 at 10:52 AM, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

F-8_Crusader_of_VMF-334_on_the_ground.jpeg

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.

p1610221929-3.jpg

The A would have the smaller ranging radome:

11840L.jpg

 


Edited by Bremspropeller
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So ein Feuerball, JUNGE!

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