Chance Vought RF-8G Crusader, 146898 / 728, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 146898
Construction Number: 728
Code Number: 601 / VFP-306
Model Chance Vought RF-8G Crusader
Operator: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Museum
Airport: Mobile - Battleship Memorial Park, USA - Alabama
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 08/1996
Date Submitted: 17/02/2009
Accepted into US Navy service on 26 February 1960 at the Chance Vought plant at Grand Prarie, Texas as a F8U-1P photo reconnaissance version of the Crusader. This aircraft was retired in 1984 after 25 years of service, 550 carrier landings and 7,084 flying hours (the highest number recorded by any US Navy Crusader). It was moved, shortly after being retired, to Mobile, Alabama, where it became part of the Battleship Memorial Park there. On 28 August 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and numerous aircraft at the park were damaged, among them, RF-8 146898. The aircraft was subsequently returned to NAS Pensacola, Florida for evaluation and possible repair. After evaluation, it was decided that the damage to the aircraft was too severe and she would be transferred to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida to be used as a bombing range target. In 2007, while recovering an A-4 Skyhawk for the Veteran's Memorial Air Park in Fort Worth, Texas, members of the VMAP heard of this aircraftâs fate and decided to rescue her. Much of the damage to the aircraft was caused by corrosion from not being preserved since suffering the hurricane damage. She is currently under restoration by VMAP in Fort Worth.
Picture ID:1159191