[johnnyboy]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

On February 1, 1966, The squadron was again redesignated as Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron 333 (VMF(AW)-333) when they received new all-weather versions of the F-8 Crusader. The squadrons last name change came on June 20, 1966]] when they became Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333) as they transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II. In June of 1972, VMFA-333 deployed on board the USS America (CVA-66) and conducted mission over Vietnam. It was during this deployment that the sqaudron got its only air to air kill when Major L.T. Lasseter shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam. For the rest of the 1970s, the squadron remained affiliated with Carrier Air Wing 8 and made several deployments aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

Many thanks for finding that out

[johnnyboy]

Originally Posted by kb466

In view of the information that David Hintgen posted about different configurations as well as the photos and information from the "Big Thunder" and "Top Gun" websites, we can make a couple of conclusions about these F-8's. First, the VF-211 NP 100 will have the flaps and slats up or non-deployed. The NP 101 and 103 will both have the raised wings and the lowered flaps and slats. As far as the USMC VMF-333 is concerned, until we see pictures, we have no idea what it will have.

Using Balbefish on that site I believe that The flying Shamrocks will be in flying mode flaps up also found a B/W picture of this plane

[Shawn 507]

I guess I'm the minority here as I can do without the wing being lifted on my F-8s.

[David Hingtgen]

Personally, I'd like a working speedbrake. F-8's (and A-7's) have very impressive speedbrakes. And 9 times out a 10, when an F-8 sits on the ground, the speed brake "spills open" so it'd be useful for those of us who display them "on the ground" too.

[kb466]

Yes, an open or opening speedbrake would be very nice and appropriate on the F-8. However, if it doesn't have one already, I doubt it will have one as the F-8's are due for release two months from now in July. I suspect the final configuration for these models is already established.

[David Hingtgen]

The photos we have so far are too small to know what the model can and can't do---we don't even know if the canopy opens yet. (It probably can, but we don't KNOW)

[ACpilot]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

The photos we have so far are too small to know what the model can and can't do---we don't even know if the canopy opens yet. (It probably can, but we don't KNOW)

Looks like the Canopy will open to me.

Dan

[flyXwire]

Hey thanks for the teaser pic, ACpilot! That's lookin' pretty sweet...I can't wait!

Originally Posted by ACpilot

Looks like the Canopy will open to me.

Dan

[Dobber]

I'm a little confused. from what David posted and what I got from the Mule about what the first release Crusader. It says the the flaps and slats will be deployed, ie down, on the first release which is NP 100. BUT, the picture shows them raised. I just want to know how its comming because I don't want them down, I want a clean crusader. Any Help!?

Chris

[kb466]

Originally Posted by Dobber

I'm a little confused. from what David posted and what I got from the Mule about what the first release Crusader. It says the the flaps and slats will be deployed, ie down, on the first release which is NP 100. BUT, the picture shows them raised. I just want to know how its comming because I don't want them down, I want a clean crusader. Any Help!?

Chris

There seems to be information coming out of Japan that there will be three releases of the VF-211 F-8E's-- NP-100, NP101, and NP103. I think that NP100 and one of the others will have the flaps and slats up or non-deployed ("clean" as you say) as would be the case with the wing lowered. The other VF-211 F-8E will have the raised wing and deployed slats and flaps, as it should be when the wing is raised. I understand that the wings on both will still raise and lower. They are also planning a USMC F-8E with the shamrocks on the tail. If you look at other earlier posts on this subject you will find more information on this. I am hoping that CW will soon post some definitive information on their website to clear all of this up.