The Crusader Comes Home

The Museum of Flight's Vought XF8U-1 Crusader was moved from our Restoration Center to the Museum's Great Gallery on Saturday, March 26, by dawn's early light (and then some). Former F-8 pilot Tom Blackwood got to ride the brakes in the cockpit that morning.

[@stevensrspcplusmc]

They need to put John Conrad on the canopy.. he was the chief test pilot for vought.. he did most of the testing on the crusader and super crusader..

[@wrigg5006]

When I was a sailor, in order to let the airplane down from wing jacks, after strut sevicing or "c checks", we would grease two sheets of aluminum, aka skid plates, to allow the gear to spread.

[@seventhtrumpet4304]

Beautiful aircraft..

[@zigman8550]

"Last of the gunfighters"

[@mower2008]

Beautiful fighter but it would be greater if it was restored to flight status.

[@arthurkrause95]

Yes.. Thunderbird aviation had the last flyable, now in seattle area stored.

[@peacelovers23cafesince2007]

Beautiful!

[@bonzer101]

Saw this wonderful aircraft at the Restoration Centre some 9 years ago. I had hoped to re-visit both the Museum and the Restoration Centre again on my latest trip to the U.S. but as always time got the better of me. I hope to return again in 2 years on an extended visit.

[@jpatt1000]

Boy, the Crusader sure looks good in polished aluminum! What was with the hole in the nose? Was a test boom mounted there and was that the bubble wrapped item at the end of the video?