The Vought F8U (known as the F-8 from 1962) was a supersonic air superiority fighter developed in the 1950s. A total of 1261 were produced, entering US Navy service in 1957 and remaining in service for twenty years.

The Vought F8U won a competition in 1953 to become the US Navy’s next air superiority fighter and the prototype first flew on 25 March 1955.

They were manufactured in five major versions but, after production ended, most airworthy F-8s were refurbished into later versions with improved capabilities.

The F8U-1 was the first version of the F8U.

The first one flew on 30 September 1955 and they began entering service in March 1957, initially with VF-32 embarked on the USS Saratoga.

A total of 218 F8U-1s were built before production switched to F8U-2s (F-8Cs) in 1958.

This model represents a F8U-1 of VF-32 flying from the USS Saratoga in 1958.

Heller 1/72 kit with Microscale decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in June 2011.