Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown, the date is a guess.

Photographer Benjamin Knowles - at MASDC as 2F410

VSF-86 was a short lived squadron based at NAS New Orleans from 1970-1973. The mission was carrier fighter cover for US Navy anti submarine aircraft carriers (CVS). The squadron flew the F-8H from 1971 until it was disestablished in July 1973. There are very few photos of VSF-86 aircraft, this one being a little blurry but shows one of the squadron F-8s on the wash stand. The figure on the rudder is an alligator character as the unit was known as the Gators.

In the storage area at MASDC. Delivered to the USN as a F8U-2NE and redesignated to a F-8E in 1962. Later upgraded to a F-8J. Arrived for storage on 05 Nov 1975 with inventory code 2F333. Salvaged as NAS North Island, CA in May 1987. 150890 was last assigned to VF-211 "Fighting Checkmates" which was based on CVA-19 USS Hancock which was decommissioned in 1976. The squadron is still operational in Dec 2023 as VFA-211 on F/A-18E Super Hornets.

In the storage area at MASDC. Delivered as a F8U-2 and redesignated to a F-8C in 1962. Later upgraded to a F-8K. Arrived for storage on 11 Sep 1973 with inventory code 2F257. To the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM on 18 Jul 1986. VF-302 "Stallions" was a naval reserve squadron and was disestablished on 11 September 1994 while flying the F-14 Tomcat. The tail markings are in black and yellow.

In the storage area at MASDC. VMF-321 'Hell's Angels' based at Andrews NAS, MD. Also known as the 'Black Barons' for a short period. VMF-321 were a marine reserve squadron and stood down on 11 Sep 2004 while operating the F/A-18 Hornet. To the US Navy as a F8U-2 redesignated to a F-8C in 1962 and later upgraded to a F-8K. Arrived for storage on 29 Oct 1973 with inventory code 2F274. To the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM on 08 Oct 1985.

In the storage area at MASDC. VMF-351 was a marine reserve squadron and was decommissioned in 1975. Delivered as a F8U-2 and redesignated to a F-8C in 1962. Later upgraded to a F-8K. Arrived for storage on 09 Sep 1971 with inventory code 2F248. SOC on 12 Mar 1975. To the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM on Jul 17 1986.

Many F-8's in the storage area at MASDC. 150658 belong to VF-191 'Satin's Kittens' and arrived for storage in Mar 1976. Also in view is sister ship 150845 / NM-100 which arrived for storage on 11 Mar 1976. They had been operated from CVA-34 USS Oriskany. Disestablished in 1978 the squadron briefly reformed between 1986 and 1988. 150658 and 150845 were both sold to the French Navy in October 1990 for spare parts.

This Crusader was first assigned to VCP-63, 'Cameras Unlimited' based at NAS Miramar, CA. The plane flew with other squadrons and had at least four carrier deployments before joining the Marine Corps, VMJ-4, at Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment (MARTD), NAS Olathe, KS. In November 1984, the aircraft was SOC after 24 years as the highest time RF-8 in the inventory. It became part of the USS Alabama Memorial Park in Mobile, AL but, in 2005, was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and destined for for the bombing range at Eglin AFB. Fortunately saved, it arrived at FWAM in December 2008.

One of many very interesting aircraft on display at this wonderful place.