Vought RF-8 Crusader project, 2018

[DC1973]

Hi folks,

Starting this as a new thread as advised for the forthcoming RF-8 project, to which I am now committed to undertaking and very excited about doing so. Many thanks to Navy Chief who has supplied dozens of fabulous photographs today to help get things started. I'll be focused on finishing my two Northrop projects ( Reporter and P-61C Black Widow ) over the next month or so, and will then start work on the RF-8 Crusader. I've learned a lot over the past year so I'll really be able to get my teeth into the new work.

I will share info here about the project as it becomes available. If any "Last Gunfighter" fans would like to contribute knowledge, images or general chat about the project, please do so here. I'll monitor it as often as I can

[expat]

[Sundog]

Yes! I'll have to go through all of my books and reference documents. Oddly, I think the Crusader I have the best blue prints for with cross sections is the F8U-3 Cursader III, which is an entirely different plane, just saying. But I'll see what I have for the RF-8.

I do have an RF-8G manual, that I probably got from that former McDonnell Douglas employee's website; he posts all manner of excellent references.

[Mike71]

Having been around VF squadrons flying various F-8 versions on a couple of ESSEX Class Carriers, it was obvious why we all called it the "gator". It crawled along virtually on its long belly and short stubby legs, its intake ready to swallow the first careless person who made a wrong move. In the air, its picturesque profile was only rivaled by the RA-5C as far as appeal was concerned. Like most fighters, it was easy to get low on fuel. Passed a lot of fuel to them in my trusty A-4 at various times, especially at night, when go arounds were not unusual.

A great plane though - and deserves to be in anyone's hangar.

[TARPSBird]

Originally Posted by warchild
excellent information TarpsBird.. and very much appreciated..
I cant help but wonder if theres a way Dean and I can make that viewfinder work in P3D??
Pam

(My previous comment from the RFN Crusader thread) I am not familiar with all the wizardry involved in animation, but it would be quite a challenge. For 1950's electro-optical technology the viewfinder was a pretty clever piece of gear. The moving lines of the "traveling grid" were adjusted so they were in sync with the ground movement under the aircraft. That set up your cameras to compensate for the motion of the aircraft when the pictures were snapped. I recall the lines got larger and moved faster as they moved down the viewfinder lens. Cycle rate of the camera was set depending on how much overlap of the images you wanted. Usually it was 60% overlap for good stereoscopic viewing. If it's possible to animate the viewfinder, I know guys who can help.

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[sparouty]

Hi,
I'm glad to see a RF-8 project to set up!
Regarding the difficulties I have to resume my current F-8 project, having a RF-8 project in parallel is really a good thing for all the simmers who would like to fly 'Saders!

I have some materials on RF-8 like flight manuals but I guess it is the same as you already have.
Regarding specific photo's features, C++ dll may help to do some very nice stuff (especially with last P3D simconnect functions), I though about some as I would like (one day) to upgrade my Etendard IVP to current standards... but I have to keep focused on my current projects before starting any new one...
Anyway I'd be pleased to help you sharing materials, codes, ideas, etc...

Regards,
Sylain

PS: the RFN Crusader includes so far a French F-8E(FN), which is a version in between F-8E and F-8J, and a USN F-8E. At this point, I didn't work on wing hard points, bombs, etc... I'm not very familiar with Tacpack or similar tools so I put these stuff into a second step. F-8J should be also part of the scope but after a 1st beta release as it will need some more adjustments (VC, FDE, etc...)