Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001651
Vought F-8E Crusader Diecast Model
USN VF-111 Sundowners, NH104, USS Oriskany, Vietnam, 1966, RELEASE CANCELLED | |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Vought F-8E Crusader | | 9.25" | | 5.75" |
In 1966, VF-111 "Sundowners" deployed aboard USS Oriskany (CVA-34) with Carrier Air Wing 16, flying the F-8E Crusader in combat over Vietnam. Their Crusaders, marked with the squadron's iconic shark mouth, flew strike escort, combat air patrol, and MiG sweep missions from Yankee Station. The F-8 Crusader, nicknamed "the last of the gunfighters", proved well-suited for dogfighting and high-speed intercepts, and VF-111 pilots engaged in intense aerial combat throughout the deployment. Tragedy struck on October 26, 1966, when a devastating fire swept through Oriskany, killing 44 sailors. Despite the loss, the Sundowners continued their mission, cementing their reputation as determined naval aviators.
Designed to meet a USN requirement for a supersonic air-superiority fighter, the Chance-Vought F-8 (originally F8U) was first flown on March 25th, 1955. The F-8 was the last American fighter to use guns as a primary weapon. Its powerplant was nearly identical to the one used by the F-100 Super Sabre, and it was the world's first carrier-based aircraft to break the speed of sound. The US Navy used the Crusader in a traditional dogfighting interceptor role, while the Marines operated it as a strike/attack aircraft. Both flew the F-8 during the Vietnam War, and it remained in service for more than four decades. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Century Wings' 1:72 scale F-8 Crusader series is masterfully modeled; joining seam lines blend almost undetectably with the model's panel lines. These F-8s feature metal horizontal stabilizers that rotate in unison and a pivoting main wing, which replicates the wing's position during take-offs and landings. There are removable bomb loads under each wing and three different ordnance configurations for mounting on the sides of the fuselage. The canopy opens to reveal a highly detailed cockpit interior and leaves no gaps when snapped shut. Special releases in this series feature a "launch configuration," with wing flaps and forward leading edges permanently in the deployed position.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Century Wings "1:72 Wings of Heroes" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Century Wings 1:72 diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moveable control surfaces.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Detailed removable pilot and crew figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
