Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III

The Vought XF8U‑3 Crusader III was a radical prototype fighter developed for the United States Navy in the early 1950s. Born from Vought’s earlier F7U Cutlass and XF8U‑1 Crusader designs, the XF8U‑3 first flew on 14 November 1955 under the designation ‘Project NACA 336’. Although only a single airframe was built, it embodied the Navy’s quest for a supersonic, carrier‑capable interceptor that could combine high speed with exceptional maneuverability.

Key features included a low‑drag, 45‑degree swept wing with embedded leading‑edge slats, and a powerful General Electric J79‑19 turbo‑jet rated at 15,800 lb thrust with afterburner. The aircraft employed an all‑moving horizontal stabilizer, boundary‑layer suction control, and a sophisticated hydraulic boost‑refuel system that allowed rapid in‑flight refueling. Its armament plan called for a pair of 20 mm cannons and provisions for air‑to‑air missiles, while the cockpit featured a fully glazed bubble canopy offering superb visibility.

Although the XF8U‑3 never entered production, its innovative aerodynamic concepts and systems influenced later Vought projects such as the F8U Crusader and contributed to the evolution of carrier‑based supersonic fighters. The prototype remains a symbol of the daring experimentation that characterized Cold‑War naval aviation.