F-8 Crusader

On March 25, 1955, Chance Vought's XF8U-1 Crusader prototype made its maiden flight, breaking all records of the time. The F-8 distinguished itself during the Vietnam War with the best kill-to-loss ratio. It remained in service with the United States until 1987 and was also used by the Philippines. In the 1960s, France sought a successor to the Aquilon and ordered 42 F-8E(FN)s specially adapted for its aircraft carriers. Delivered in 1965, these aircraft equipped Flotillas 12F and 14F. Between 1970 and 1978, eight Crusaders were lost, but more than twenty pilots logged over 1,000 flight hours on this supersonic interceptor, renowned for its exceptional qualities.

In 1999, twelve Crusaders were still in service, some with over 5,000 flight hours and 1,000 carrier landings. Their retirement, initially planned for 1985 with the arrival of the Rafale, was postponed due to delays. A modernization program in 1997 extended their service life, but their outdated radar made them vulnerable to modern aircraft like the MiG-29. They participated in missions such as Trident in the former Yugoslavia until March 1, 1999. The French Crusaders provided air cover for the fleet for thirty years, operating from Djibouti to Lebanon. Their livery evolved from US Navy gray to blue-gray. The last flight took place on December 15, 1999, after nearly 148,000 cumulative flight hours. They were the last in the world, as the US Navy and the Philippines had already retired theirs.