The Vought F8U-3 was designed by the same company that produced the F-8 using similar design concepts but making use of a more powerful engine. Despite its potential it was not accepted for production and only five were built.

The F8U-3 was developed in parallel with the Vought F8U-1 and F8U-2.

It was a larger aeroplane with a larger and more powerful engine and, although it looked similar to the earlier F8Us, it had little in common with them apart from general layout.

In December 1955 the US Navy called for a mach 2+ fighter in which the main competitors were the F8U-3 and the McDonnell F-4.

The F8U-3 had superior manoeuverability but the F-4 won, having two engines and two crew members to handle the workload of flying these new fighters.

After this the Navy lost interest in the F8U-3 and they were passed to NASA for various test programs.

This model represents the F8U-3 first prototype circa 1959.

Anigrand 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in January 2011.