Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:49:42-1:51:10

Crusader III selected instead of the F-4 Phantom

More production and service would not automatically make the Crusader III a better A-7 foundation; improvement would require redesign.

Aircraft DevelopmentF-4 Phantom IIFighter AircraftNaval AviationXF8U-3 Crusader III
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Question

If the XF8U-3 Crusader III had been selected instead of the F-4 Phantom, would it have made a better basis for the A-7?

Short answer

Probably not. Further development might produce a redesigned Super Crusader, but selection alone would not improve its airframe.

Notes

Selecting the Crusader III would not by itself improve the airframe or make it a better basis for the A-7. There was room for development, and further investment might have produced a redesigned Super Crusader. The preference nevertheless remains for the Phantom rather than continued refinement of the older concept. Early Phantoms lacked an internal gun, but an external gun installation was possible; the accompanying jokes about its aerodynamics are affectionate criticism.