On the apron at Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in the markings of VMF(AW)-333 "Flying Shamrocks" which was the first USMC unit to receive the F-8C on 6 Nov 1959. It traded its Crusaders for the F-4 Phantom II on 20 June 1968 that preceded entry of this F-8K into service. The Crusader flew supersonic on its maiden flight on 25 Mar 1955 and was the first American jet fighter to exceed 1,000 mph. Not easy to land on carriers, the F-8 was continuously improved with 87 F-8Cs rebuilt as the F-8K featuring wing pylons, an upgraded engine, cockpit and radar while retaining the ventral fins.

Served VF-84 as an F-8C till upgrade to F-8K in the mid-1960s and transfer to the USMC as now preserved at Titusville, having ended its flying days in 1971 on entry to MASDC