Steve Ginter

Vought's F-8 Crusader - Part 2 Steve Ginter

The photos in this edition are black and white. First published in 1988, the RF-8 book is one of four volumes on the famous F-8 Crusader series. The Supersonic PhotoSader first appeared in December 1956. Ultimately 144 aircraft were produced and were operated by both the Navy and Marines. They were in continuous operations as Dets. on fleet carriers from 1957-1982 and continued on in the Reserves through 1984. In 1962 the RF-8 became famous during Operation Blue Moon when VMJ-2 and VFP-62 Crusaders documented the Cuban Missile Crisis by taking over 160,000 photos while logging over a 100 flight hours. The book covers the squadron histories of the RF-8 squadrons and its usage in Vietnam.