Still The Best Dogfighter In War Thunder: F8U-2

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Thanks for all the support. It means more than you know :)

[@Spitflyer]

I’m seeing a heap of comments along the lines of “it’s be great if it didn’t rip so much”. I’ve honestly not had that problem at all. Could be the way I fly, could be the fuel load i take. Either way I don’t really have a ripping problem

[@connormoylan2466]

Nither do i

[@mrnull7513]

For me its like a G91 and I constantly rip bc I'm not looking at speed but where other enemys are so I just pull verticals all the time so I don't rip

[@agislycoudis4139]

@@mrnull7513 remove the new boosters. Help a lot, I always never rip

[@specialman6004]

People are just flying to low and turning too aggressive and the first time the rip happens they quit the playing the plane then criticize the plane based on their mistakes.

[@TheFanatical1]

You're right. Ripping in the F-8 requires you to deliberately try and throw it around.

[@Ars_Illyrian]

Maybe it would, if it's wings wouldn't go bye bye everytime you manouver just a little over 950 km/h.

[@jbeverley67]

That's where the F8E comes in

[@eliasa.5408]

@@jbeverley67 I’m halfway researching the E, is it really that much better at not ripping its wings?

[@jbeverley67]

@@eliasa.5408 Yes absolutely, it's noticably better.

[@nolanarcher9996]

Simply stay above 2500ish meters

[@0Ploxx]

@@nolanarcher9996 project feather duster showed the potential of the F-8s in this scenario ironically enough, the only aircraft that could compete with the F-8 was the F-104, which was basically the antithesis of the crusader strategy

[@kokadosh8763]

Dogfighting in top tier jets is risky but fun. The main issue is if your dogfighting in a furball, you have to keep track of so many things at the same time that eventually a missile will just slip through But if you're in a uninterrupted 1v1, and in a good dogfighting jet like the MIG 23 MLA/MLD, then it gets real fun

[@K_GHOST225]

The standard MiG-23M smokes this thing, most things at 10.3 smoke this thing. It's not a good dogfighter.

[@laneblasi5797]

it’s really hard on console especially at top tier up tiers f-14 missil spam is rough when you can’t look at them

[@simula152]

@MiG_23M literally said by the mig23m. Yeah. Sure.

[@mobilememes1313]

​@@K_GHOST225bs, 1v1

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

Nobody tell him about the Realistic control mode that gives the F-8 under 590MPH supermaneuverability.

[@lovethegame0204]

Please explain

[@bennettfleegal2692]

@@lovethegame0204 when going in to controls, you can select how your plane is controlled, mouse aim, simplified, full real, etc. full real allows you to have complete control of the plane. Nothing blocks you, but it is easier to get into flat spins and such

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

@@bennettfleegal2692 Flat spins do occur but only on specific aircraft- the F-8 for example is completely impossible to get into an uncontrolled spin.

[@bennettfleegal2692]

@@Hot_Sky_Astronomy yeah, like it’s extremely easy to get into a flat spin like the A4 or other high AoA planes

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

@@bennettfleegal2692 Yeah, but the F-8's spins are more like a controlled falling leaf, makes it super useful in roller dogfights

[@RasmusVas]

I much prefer the E over the U2, it deals so much better with compression and rips a lot less. Also better missiles

[@jordancourse5102]

The E doesn't have RWR though in uptiers which u see alot u just get PD'd or radar'd and poof but the flight model is def better than the U2

[@lambsaucy69]

@@jordancourse5102 for some reason i dont have problems getting pulse dopplered in that thing cuz only NATO has it atm

[@lalxl]

@@lambsaucy69 wdym? The Mig-23 MLD has PD. With that being said I very rarely get radared in uptiers because I don't climb that much

[@Feuervix]

@@lambsaucy69 almost all nations have pulse droppler

[@lambsaucy69]

@@lalxl wait really? Didn't know MTI I PD

[@samspeed6271]

Ripping is a problem if you don't know how to fly her, and boy is she a bit of an odd bird. When I first got the Crusader, she wasn't what I'd expected. From watching afternoon documentaries about dogfights during Vietnam, hearing how the Crusader pulled such high G turns the ammo belt links snapped, I expected a lot more from her. I got a lot of wing ripping as a result. Coming back to her with some more informed technique and experience, I will say the F-8C is one of the best 10.3 planes, but only if you know how to fly her properly. She isn't what you expect, she's a unique aircraft. The Crusader requires a careful mix of aggression and care. This aircraft needs to be flown to the wire, right up to the razor's edge. You run with most of the match with that afterburner lit, you go to the side of the cluster and attack enemies who aren't looking or enemies who are isolated. One on one you can give a Mig-23MLD Flogger-K a very good run for its money if you fly her right. I've got a few gun kills on Floggers trying to rate fight me at the Crusader's optimum speed. What will get you killed in this plane the most will be the unexpected missile you didn't see, getting doubled up on, or panicking and pulling to hard and snapping. Personally, I take 30 minutes of fuel because I can have that afterburner lit and by the time I'm down to 13-15mins, which is when the Crusader can pull 11G without snapping, most of the enemies are isolated and I can have some proper dogfights. The engine is quite powerful and you can easily get back on most maps with 4 minutes of fuel at full mil thrust.

[@sndrc9]

Expectation: Ooh 7 minute 1v1 dogfight so cool Reality: Killed by: missileuser69

[@CssHDmonster]

is why i like props and dont really touch jets beyond 7.0

[@lovethegame0204]

PLEASE do a vid comparing this to the F8E or mention your thoughts on one vs the other.

[@themortz]

i enjoyed spading both crusaders, and I'm still waiting for F8E to get it's missing RWR

[@hudsonpowell1182]

Out of curiosity, do you have a source that states it’s supposed to get RWR? I remember being mad that it didn’t have it when I first unlocked it, and did a bunch of research, but everything I found stated that the original US version of the F8E didn’t have RWR, and that the feature was only added in the French exported version. This seems to match up with what’s in game, as the French F8E does indeed have RWR. Not looking for an argument here, just trying to learn more. Finding accurate historical data on these planes can sometimes be difficult!

[@themortz]

@@hudsonpowell1182 no i just assumed that if F8U-2 has one, then F8E should have it too, since it's an upgraded version

[@arc9110]

@@hudsonpowell1182 the US upgraded the Es

[@rarejavelin6547]

I've gotten 90% of all my aces in this thing after I got the 9Ds, but that wing rip has literally caused 50% of my deaths, that's why I prefer the F8E...same BR after all

[@0Ploxx]

It kicks ass, but I just find the F-100 and F-4C much more enjoyable for some reason

[@richyket661]

Never had a jet ace yet, only managed an ace about 3 times with aircraft over rank 3. Used to pummel people in the bf109 g2/trop. I always end up staying at altitude too long so I miss out on kills, or chase a group down low and get boom and zoomed.

[@rarejavelin6547]

@@richyket661 honestly I only have like 6 aces and 5 of them are from spaming aim 9Ds at harriers and A5s space climbing and ending up with a lucky gun kill...i don't think I've gotten an ace in a prop before

[@8-bithades305]

uninstall boosters?

[@TonnyH21]

First time playing this was miserable, the Aim-9B is so bad and the plane kept ripping its wing it's so painful but now, wow the Aim-9D was amazing..

[@KINGofEPICNESS99]

the stock grind is so painful i have only gotten 1 kill in like 12 games its literally impossible

[@ryanstenberg8505]

@@KINGofEPICNESS99 you need to go for gun kills it’s really good at gunfighting

[@ArcticWipeout]

@@ryanstenberg8505 Imo it's the best at it's tier at gunfighting. Quite fitting really!

[@jordancourse5102]

I do prefer the F8E but without RWR kinda hurts in uptiers. You can dog walk the shit out of MiG-21's in 1v1 scenarios. It does what I was built to do pretty well. Now, for new people to this plane it will take u awhile to get used to but once you realize what you're best at, you'll see how big of a hidden gem it is.

[@AlmightyDude420]

IRL it had RWR, but Gaijin hasn't added it because snail

[@Fast85FoxGT]

F8E is honestly a great plane at 10.3 Not terrific when you factor in BVR fighting at 11.3 though.

[@0Ploxx]

“Then it’s a dogfight” “In an F-8E against 4th generation fighters”

[@Cortana_ice_fox]

@@0Ploxxit’s the pilot, not the machine…

[@tino897]

To those that are angry that it’s called h tbh e last gunfighter but had lots of AA kills. The plane was called the last gunfighter because when designed the Guns WERE considered as the main offensive weapon, missiles were secondary’s. After that later aircraft’s guns were the secondary’s and used as a last resort

[@andsoiderparound9909]

Watching this vid makes me wish that my F8 was in this situation instead of getting stomped by A-10s and SU-25s while stock.

[@chugachuga9242]

I have been using this thing to grind out the F-4J, and it has quickly become my favorite aircraft ever

[@james_may_says_foodhub9509]

"The F-8 basically thrives in every situation except one vs a million" Oh thank god, I can still do my normal and get Into a fight with 999,999 aircraft then

[@Spitflyer]

This is true

[@tjsr4790]

you should try the F8E with the aim9Cs, and a better radar

[@lambsaucy69]

the aim9Cs are so good 2 premiums in the bag guaranteed

[@charlescourtwright2229]

@@lambsaucy69 the aim 9cs have trouble tracking anything below 5km in alt, aim9ds will get you more kills

[@lambsaucy69]

@@charlescourtwright2229 I don't know man, they work very well for me

[@brettwebb6789]

@@charlescourtwright2229 I have far better luck with the AIM-9C than the D. Not that the D is "bad", it's not, but the C is basically an all aspect AIM-9G that pulls hard right off the rails, and oddly, in terms of radar locks, I have less trouble with the F-8E and AIM-9C than I do higher tier jets like the F-4E or even J. I can generally get good locks as low as 1200 meters, and as long as I've got a lock, the AIM-9C is reliable at tracking.

[@TARmeow]

Thanks for this spit, during the pauses that ive been having in uni, ive been playing only this plane, and i love it, its a breath of fresh air from the normal meta jet dogfighter of "no groundpounding options" also, the rockets are weird with the distance fuse but im starting to get kills like that lol, way more dopamine than getting a missile kill, dogfights are always cool tho, keep the vids up man

[@derkaiser9881]

Amogus

[@wirelessmouse9579]

"When you're out of F-8's, you're out of fighters." -F-8 pilots insignia

[@AgedSwissCheese]

i've been flying the (US) A-4E more often with the aim-9bs and the gunpod, idk why but i'm getting a ton of kills with the plane, you should try it out edit: it also gets and flares, something most planes at the BR literally don't have

[@marcusborderlands6177]

Same. Been having a blast with it.

[@machadoross]

I've been flying the Isreal one and sucking with it.

[@jacobthewarthogpilot5]

I personally like just taking the 2 missiles, being disciplined with the 200 rounds is something I learned and got used to. Plus, wayyyy less drag for more speed when not taking the gunpod and the Skyhawk in uptiers needs all the speed it can get

[@marcusborderlands6177]

@@jacobthewarthogpilot5 honestly, I take the missiles and gunpod, and ditch the missiles asap. The gunpod does most of the work, and I can usually get 4-5 kills with it

[@Past10Performance]

I did very well with it with the single gun pod and 2 aim9b as well

[@Raul_Menendez]

Since you're so good with the Crusader. I got orders from the Admiral, you're going to TOP GUN.

[@nolan6320]

Been debating buying it for a while. I think you've convinced me

[@johnwhite4960]

I think I flew with you a couple of days ago, both of us were rocking the Crusader

[@Spitflyer]

Ey man if you were the other crusader supporting me at high altitude then ty

[@TheOfficial007]

I am an advocate for this being the best dogfighter.

[@exactlybasically8603]

The F-5E would like to know your location

[@F-18Super]

Is anyone gonna mention the fact that there’s an eclipse at 11:22 ? Didn’t even know war thunder had those.

[@jaybabe7767]

bring 2 aim 9cs they are far better against the high climbing a5s harriers and MOG 21s because they usually do not bring chaff and they have the same performance as aim 9ds and at high altitude its much harder to lose lock especially if they have no chaff even if they are below you. unless they dive stright down and manage to get below 10000 feet before your missle hits 9 times out of 10 the aim 9c is a kill. so 90 percent of the time it works everytime.

[@gusmengers5454]

@spitflyer could you compare this to the E model in the future? The improved radar and 2 aim 9 Cs are a fantastic upgrade imo

[@t65bx25]

At the cost of RWR

[@gusmengers5454]

@@t65bx25 bring chaff and rely on radar spotting targets and its not really a problem. Out of probably 75 games, I have not been shot down with SARH missiles.

[@daniel_f4050]

God but I love the Crusader. You really ought to put the alternate skin on though. It is absolutely gorgeous with the early-mid ‘60s style squadron markings. It’s a shame they haven’t given the F-8E something as pretty, but hope springs eternal. 😉

[@t65bx25]

The blue one with stars, right? Love that one, IIRC the Phantom also wore it IRL.

[@ArcticWipeout]

Still no skins for my beloved :(

[@tylerwoodfield9807]

Hey spit, keep up the good work and great reviews

[@Spitflyer]

Thanks, will do!

[@mig-21interceptor62]

I love this plane irl too

[@joshjackson5274]

just unlocked this plane yesterday, been doing shite with it but this video will side my play style with this plane! Great video bro

[@Dxrius0711]

EVERY ROUND MY PLANE structural overload structural overload structural overload structural overload

[@amrkhairy9910]

Man, you are just too good, not the planes🤦‍♂😊

[@juanfelipevelasquezmesa8205]

I like to see Spit playing in the Cl-13 MK5...

[@F-18Super]

That F5 or “moms credit card” was so pathetic to watch. 1:camps his/her airfield 2: can’t fly for shit

[@Sag05501]

I would love to see a video on the J35D or J32B!

[@d3fc0n545]

"Made a little fucky wucky and got into the forever box" is this a donut operator reference? I feel like this is a crossover episode.

[@Jay-rb5rs]

Revisit the j7e if thunderskill is accurate it has a 6kd for the past month, Def the best dogfighter at 11.0

[@Madenum123]

Have to disagree about dogfighting, so long as the F5C remains at 10.3 it is the best dogfighter at the BR. It’s good, but I think the 5C is better(In dogfighting).

[@iceshadow207]

Nice! Had no idea this plane is so much fun, gonna unlock it soon and was going to simply skip it before watching this. Also, would would be awesome to see a video about what you consider to be the best planes in each rank/BR.

[@RCompleto]

It´s me or the rudder is crap in this plane? sometimes the plane gets stuck going sideways and you can´t pull the nose on target,

[@Carlos-rp2wz]

bruh they nerfed how much you can lead the aim 9D, now the circle is the same as the aim 9B

[@christiangreco1744]

They caged the 9D???????

[@Carlos-rp2wz]

@@christiangreco1744 Yeah lol, you have to point your nose at the target to fire it now, you can't lead it for a better angle. :(

[@tayebarnes7887]

Are you kidding me I’ve seen this thing brought to 11.0 and it thrives

[@richieThach]

I have a bit over 3:1 KDR with the F-8E. The Crusader is a monster of a plane.

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

I have about the same K/D can confirm it is insane.

[@ezj2820]

I still don't trust the F8 since the wings like to fall off if I do a 2g turn.

[@reverencerx873]

Lol, you say screw it and dive on the airfield and die one time and become best friends with the ground😂😂 totally worth it, pleasure flying with ya -IPhlyMach3

[@CharliMorganMusic]

I didn't think much of this plane. Then I tried it. Oh my god I love it.

[@codyweaver7546]

And on top of all of that, the Crusader is quite the handsome boy.

[@hudsonflores5478]

It can get a kill on any aircraft thats at 10.0, and the only it cant are the MiG-23 and that weird SAAB J25 or whatever it is but those are slightly above 10.0.

[@frostymicbossy5437]

For any advice turn turn hard at all unless your under 550 so I force a head on if I miss I dump the throttle while air breaking with a slight turn as soon as I get under 550 mph I turn hard as hell and boom your on their butt but keep the air breaks out until you get to 350 mph but keep the wep on

[@null643]

Wings rip when you don't expect them to, absolutely hate playing this plane while trying to keep speed, sure it can dogfight at low speeds, but this fact makes it incredibly annoying to play, especially with current matchmaker, get third partied each time you attempt to dogfight.

[@onyourkilllist6880]

Its gameplay like this that makes me happy I don’t grind for anything past 7.3

[@ieat10kittens94]

A6m5: hold my kamikaze

[@ACE_VIPER]

How do you think it compares to the AV-8 head to head

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

Better 1000% overall.

[@Spitflyer]

Blows the AV-8 out of the water

[@ACE_VIPER]

@@Spitflyer Idk the AV 8 has superpowers in 1 v 1 scenarios

[@flavortown3781]

Aim9d is my absolute favorite missle

[@richardcreasey9319]

You were exceptionally lucky that the game was won right before the AI decided to instantly vaporize your tail section at 9:27.

[@williammontgrain6544]

Really looking forward to this jet.

[@guffbuff8460]

Your commentary has me rolling on the ground

[@stanky-_-bird8048]

I actually play the F8U-2 and in my opinion it can do just fine at 11.3 as I do very well

[@zitrone2250]

Meanwhile F-5C: Exists not to speak about the F-8E

[@varunkaushik2834]

Wait, you cam lead the shots with the AIM9D? When I use them, the missiles are caged like the AIM9Bs

[@spamjosh6526]

Honestly I’m still thinking that the mig-21 MF is better

[@atomic9551]

I prefer the F5C is because it refuses to compress, accelerates less though and you are definitely gonna be going guns, but thats what I want

[@Ropen_]

thats on the list "easy to beat" on my mig 17, good dogfight on its own br tho

[@Nottrules]

Mig 17 is in the “easy to kill” list for my F-14 jk jk

[@sicksixgamer2694]

Well with Caged Aim-9D s this planes has been nuclear nerfed.

[@babyyoda7538]

I’m not able to turn the radar on the F-8E on, could anyone help me figure it out?

[@Rekaw97]

For some reason 2 cannons are small caliber gun and 2 are large caliber and it makes for one less button to set (in my case for missiles)

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

Thats actually by design on the F-8, the pilot could select 2 gunsets at a time.

[@Rekaw97]

@@Hot_Sky_Astronomy Thanks, good to know, it makes me a bit less salty about it XD

[@adamsteinmetz3223]

9:07 lol

[@youngbloodbear9662]

Honestly its my absolute least favorite jet so far having gotten just a few upgrades

[@jakeogroton]

If your hunting a-5 in this thing radar lock them first get them to panic and think there is a radar missile coming there way as they might dump some of their chaff and burn some flares with it

[@Warrior_AP]

Nice vid btw

[@tiburcio_]

paper wings

[@universalcactus5834]

Thanks for another crusader review.

[@GOLDEN_TOMCAT]

I love you and this Plane

[@spencer5654]

I always have a bigger problem with A-5s then F-5s. Both premium aircraft

[@didierd3687]

Great Video :) Can you explain me your management of you afterburner ? I see that you switch it of most the time ? I stuck in top BR ^^"

[@Spitflyer]

I’ll switch off AB when I would otherwise in props lower throttle/airbrake, etc. I might also turn it off to make flares more effective

[@sabenconte3559]

Xp50 best plane for its tier

[@moistwienor4572]

The E has killed me in every aspect several times with sparrows without triggering my rwr whatsoever and that alone made me abandon the crappy f8u2 for the E model.

[@akthethotboi9711]

F5 cancels out the a5 😂

[@legend2460]

im only about 50 something k RP away from this machine so im gona get the stock experience soon lol

[@mrpineapples4752]

Not for 16k repair cost smh

[@eallp3837]

What am I missing? Unlocked this thing and im coming from the f5c and it seems to be a fucking nightmare. Slow, big, upgrading it has been so slow.

[@PSNGamer]

Hope you make more videos brotha!

[@XXNerdzillaXX]

That's because it WAS the last gunfighter. That's it's title.

[@joshjaffin3650]

Should I get this over the E variant and why?

[@Humphree]

Watching that J7E die to you hurt me. Buddy had a skill issue

[@Humphree]

Good on him for getting that free kill on that f1 tho

[@Wobblescorp]

When ww3 comes I hope the military will take seriously your war thunder scores

[@bubblesofthecoast6393]

Surprised you’re using the F8U-2 over the F8-E. Aren’t they still at the same br of 10.3?

[@kommandantkillcode]

They are, and the F8U has better flight performance in exchange for weaponry capabilities and ease of flight (rips easy). If they didn’t both have countermeasures then it would really make a difference, but they’re basically just the same plane with some specializations and flaws from those specializations.

[@bubblesofthecoast6393]

@@kommandantkillcode Ah ic didn’t know that. Never really noticed much differences with when flying either aside from the wing ripping

[@Callsign_Merkava]

SPIT FLYER THE BEST

[@neotastic5731]

It would be nice if the wings would not rip so easily so you can’t even use the thing to it’s full potential

[@boijames3253]

Just keep the G-limit below or around 10Gs. You don’t have to worry about ripping around 1800 meters

[@gunman5550531]

brb grabbing mums credit card and buying the F-14

[@taylor9782]

the f8u doesnt even belong at 10.0 stock. barely makes it to 9.7. have fun using aim9bs with no gsuit against mig23s and f14s

[@lickmytoaster9550]

I don’t think that was a mom‘s credit card moment I think that was a “guys a sitting right above the airfield and I can’t do shit” moment so he just gave up

[@theteadrinkingowl.2295]

If you camp their airfeild. Why would they leave it. Don't camp, let them feel safe to take off and they will.

[@kingghidorah8106]

the MiG19 still has the edge over this. And the J7E over all. Why is the F8 preferred? easier to aim. That doesn't make it the best dogfighter. TLDR: Yet another misleading Spit flyer video.

[@DeadBaron]

I hate how the AIM-9s are mounted asymmetrically lol

[@oloflansen]

every time i dogfight with F8 i win, lmao

[@thecosmicgrizzly4726]

Fix the fucking french crusader for the love of god

[@anttiruo]

10.0?

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

@@anttiruo It should really be 10.7 but its missing ALL of the things that would make it 10.7. missing its flares, chaff, RWR, Magic 2's, etc.

[@anttiruo]

@@Hot_Sky_Astronomy That would be the 1990's updated model we might get one day separately.