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F8U-1/XF8U-2 Crusader US Navy Fighter On Display

Thanks to a bipartisan effort by Congressman Charlie Bass and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a vintage 1956 U.S. Navy XF8U-2 Crusader is on exhibition at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. The Discovery Center’s new Crusader, originally an F8U-1, was the 5th airplane to come off of Vought’s Crusader production line and was the first production Crusader to be delivered to the US Marine Corps. Later, it was returned to Vought, which modified it into the second XF8U-2 prototype. This prototype underwent extensive flight testing. After being retired from service, it served as a gate guard at the Naval Air Station Dallas, was next exhibited by the Pate Museum (Borland TX), and then at the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation.

Alumni of Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH native Alan B. Shepard graduated from the US Naval Academy. He served aboard a Navy destroyer in the Pacific before entering flight training and received his wings in 1947. Three years later, Shepard attended the United States Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland. His training included flight testing, which included gathering data on light at different altitudes and air masses over the American continent, testing of the Navy's in-flight refueling system, carrier suitability trails of the F2H3 Banshee, and Navy trials of the first angled carrier deck. Shepard became a Navy test pilot during one of the most exciting times in aviation history with the advent of the jet plane. Shepard put his life on the line time after time, as he tested the Navy’s new and modified planes: the F2H3 Banshee, F3H Demon, F4D Skyray, F11F Tigercat, F5D Skylancer – and the F8U Crusader.

The Crusader played a key role in national defense and in the evolution of aviation technology. The Discovery Center is delighted to be able to honor the men and women who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation with this exciting new exhibit!

This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida.