What if the RN had gone with the F-8 ?
Thread Starter
What if the RN had gone with the F-8 ?
I saw recently that the fighter choice for the navy was between a Spey powered F-8 Crusader probably an E model or equivalent and the Phantom, with the latter winning out of course.
Does anyone have more information to share, or better yet do you think the Phantom was the way to go ? (the French certainly didn't).
Does anyone have more information to share, or better yet do you think the Phantom was the way to go ? (the French certainly didn't).
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Different generations. The F-8 was a 1950s comparable to the Lightning, single role, 2 x Mx, AN/APQ-94 could track a bomber target out to 45-60 miles (comparable to AI-23). The F-4, as when comparing the Lightning vs F-4 in the RAF was in a different league in AD - let alone as a multi-role mud mover.
You could probably have kept more carriers in service as I think Ark, Eagle, Victorious and Hermes could operate the F-8 without the modifications that were needed to operate the F-4. Does still leave you with the problem of replacing them at some point though probably in the 1980-90 time frame.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apologies for the dread thrift but, another image of the 57th FIS F-4E in flight with the wings folded and a brief explanation of what happened...
'57th FIS F4E 66-0304 that took off, flew and landed safely with wings folded, August 1, 1978. PIlot: Capt. Greg Harrison; WSO: Capt. Denny Dawson. Photo taken with an Instamatic by WSO lst Lt. Jim Uken flying in 66-328. The F4 became pitch sensitive at 205 kts, so Harrison landed at 230 kts. Wing fold locking nuts retracted, lock indicator pins fully extended. But the F4 had just been painted gray & the pins, which should be red, were also painted gray no one noticed they were extended.'
-RP
'57th FIS F4E 66-0304 that took off, flew and landed safely with wings folded, August 1, 1978. PIlot: Capt. Greg Harrison; WSO: Capt. Denny Dawson. Photo taken with an Instamatic by WSO lst Lt. Jim Uken flying in 66-328. The F4 became pitch sensitive at 205 kts, so Harrison landed at 230 kts. Wing fold locking nuts retracted, lock indicator pins fully extended. But the F4 had just been painted gray & the pins, which should be red, were also painted gray no one noticed they were extended.'
-RP
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Next to Ross and Demelza
Age: 53
Posts: 1,235
Received 52 Likes
on
21 Posts
I know these things do happen, and sorry if it's a bit simplistic, but did nobody actually think to take a look at the wings before they started the take off roll? What about the 'last chance' check?
I think there is some merit that the F-8 was a better fit for smallish carriers. With the Buccaneer in the attack role, it may have been fine for the F-8 to serve as a fleet fighter (really an interceptor), but the Phantom did bring a better systems for all weather fleet defense (radar, WSO, Sparrow+sidewinder) plus 2 engines. It was really pushing the limit to operate the F-4 on the Ark Royal, and the UK models had to have several tricks added to allow effective F-4 operations off the smallish deck.
The US Navy did not deploy F-4's on the modernized Essex class, and used F-8's.
F-8's did suffer from a high loss rate.
The US Navy did not deploy F-4's on the modernized Essex class, and used F-8's.
F-8's did suffer from a high loss rate.
The Crusader was too ugly,
Of course, Navy airplane. But then some air forces also seem attracted to ugly airplanes...
Of course, Navy airplane. But then some air forces also seem attracted to ugly airplanes...
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,813
Received 141 Likes
on
65 Posts
Dare one mention F-8 and commonality with Aeronavale?
No, probably not. Sorry. Merde.
No, probably not. Sorry. Merde.
