Crusader Single Sidewinder Rail

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I want to mount a single sidewinder on each side of a F-8 Crusader but cant find any good photos. The kit I have is a Hasegawa 72 scale one with the dual sidewinder rails if that helps any.

Is there any good photos out there somewhere of these?

I found shots here but that is it so far.

2

Look here for some info

http://thanlont.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-brief-history-of-f8u-crusader-armament.html

It appears that the F-8 preserved on USS Midway has that set up so do an image search for that particular Crusader. Also the French F-8E(FN) usually used that set up, often with Matra Magic missiles instead

3

There are some good shots in there. I should be able to fab something but its hard to gage that inner spacer section between the main part of the rail and the fuselage.

4

Are those Zunis mounted on this one? Did they ever really use these?

5

Yes to both questions. A twin Zuni mount could be attached in place of each Sidewinder rail. So a max of 4 per side. They were used when F-8s flew in ground attack missions. I have seen lots of photos of Marine Corps Crusaders carrying them in Vietnam. Once Zunis were banned from carrier flight deck use after the Forrestal and Enterprise fires, those twinlaunchers went elsewhere. I have read of them then finding their way to “BlackPony” Navy OV-10s for use on their wing pylons. combined with Zuni pods on the fuselage sponsons, those gave them some serious firepower on CAS missions.

6

Try looking at an A-7. They were made by the same folks and related in lineage.

7

Don’t know why I didn’t think of the A-7. Lots of pictures on Prime Portal of the A-7. There are shots of that inner bracket also.

Thanks guys!

8

Glad to be of help.