XF8U-2 Crusader Jet

Unlock the Potential of the XF8U-2 Crusader!

Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Charlie Bass, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the National Naval Aviation Museum, and the people of New Hampshire, a vintage 1956 Crusader jet has arrived in Concord, NH! Lovingly restored by the men and women of Vought Retiree Club, the Vought aircraft is refurbished to its original 1956 sheen , when Crusaders were the latest, greatest, fastest of the Navy’s 1950s-era jets tested by New Hampshire’s own Alan B. Shepard.

We have managed to get this huge jet all the way from Dallas TX and into the Discovery Center – no easy task! – and now we need your help. We need funds to make the Crusader soar again - we’ll suspend it in the atrium (pending Naval Museum approval) and surround it with exhibit interactives so families can learn about the evolution of the jet, what test pilots do, how jets work, and new frontiers in aviation. Click here to make a donation, through our nonprofit partner, Touch the Future, Inc. – be sure to write “Crusader” in the box for “Additional Comments/Notes”.

And we need your stories. Are you a pilot? Did you fly the Crusader? What flying stories can you share with us? We want to hear about it. Please contact Tiffany Nardino with your tales of adventures in flight: tnardino@starhop.com or (603) 271-7827 x117.

The Crusader played a key role in national defense and in the evolution of aviation technology. We are delighted to be able to honor the men and women who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation with this exciting new exhibit!

To learn more about the Vought Retiree Club, visit www.voughtaircraft.com/heritage.

This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida