VF-111 F-8K
Crusader for USS Midway
Although the F4H/F-4 Phantom II would be the USN's primary
fighter aboard its Forrestal and Kitty Hawk class supercarriers
as the 1960s progressed, the inability of the smaller SCB-27C ships to
operationally employ the Phantom meant
that the F-8 force needed to be
updated to provide the smaller flattops with a viable fighter force. As
part of this effort, LTV took existing F-8B/C/D/Es and gave them blown
flaps (pioneered on the French Crusaders), wider tailplanes, and
stronger landing gear. A total of 87 F-8Cs thius became F-8Ks following
the rebuild.
F-8K Crusader BuNo 147030 is prepared to be transferred to the USS
Midway - finished in the markings of VF-111 SunDowners, this
Crusader
was formerly on display at the New England Air Museum. U.S. Navy photo
by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Michael R. McCormick