Below is a list of available chapters and other pages in this on-line book. Browse the book with the help of this index, or even better, with the navigate-buttons at the left side of your screen. For more help, simply click the button with the questionmark on it. Some chapters consist of more than one page, in that case you'll find the links (the small Crusader silhouettes) to these additional pages at the top and bottom of each page.
Unfortunately for you (and me!), I haven't finished writing this book by far, still a lot of work ahead! But instead of waiting until the last word is written I have decided to "publish" it as it is now, in its unfinished state, and fill in the uncompleted chapters when time permits. Maybe I'll even add new chapter, who knows? (any suggestions?) I feel there's definately room for a list of links to other Crusader-related sites on the Internet, for instance. Bear with me, one day it will be considered "finished"!
Gator !
Title page. We're not out of Gunfighters...yet!
preface
Current status of the project, introduction and acknowledgments.
chapter 1: tale of the Crusader
History of the Crusader from A to Z. Its origins, early days, Vietnam, the reserves, NASA, phase-out, etc. (page still under construction)
chapter 2: Crusader variants
From the XF8U-1 prototype to the F-8P and NASA oddities! General description and specifications, sideviews, etc. (page not yet published)
chapter 3: the MiG Master !
Crusader pilots reigned supreme over the skies of Vietnam, scaring the pants off the north-vietnamese pilots. All eighteen official MiG kills described, plus the unofficial ones... (page not yet published)
chapter 4: in foreign service
The French Aeronavale became the only foreign customer of new-build Crusaders, and had the last operational examples worldwide. The Philippine air force operated (refurbished) F-8's too, be it briefly. All this, plus some might-have-beens. (page not yet published)
chapter 5: the Super Crusader
The third generation Crusader was a whole new aircraft in a class of its own. It was far superior to the F-4 Phantom, but lost out to it due to a change in Navy policy. (page still under construction)
chapter 6: Crusader units
Every single Navy, Marine, Aeronavale and Philippine unit that operated the Crusader at one point or another is listed and described here, plus NACA/NASA and the odd civilian F-8 operators.
chapter 7: accidents & survivors
Unfortunately, the Crusader wasn't the safest aircraft to fly, but there were reasons. The second part of this chapter lists every surviving Crusader worldwide, complete with location and current status.
appendix A: booklist
Many books have been written about the Crusader and related subjects. Here's a list of sources used while compiling this book.
appendix B: revision history
This is not a static book, but ever evolving webpages. This appendix serves to keep track of all the changes made.
appendix C: about the author & this book
What moves a person to become passionate about a particular aircraft, and write about it? Also the best ways to view and enjoy these pages, and some suggestions on making a link, if you wish.
