The America's Last Gunfighter - Vought F-8 Crusader

Source: US Military Power

The Vought F-8 Crusader feels like one of those aircraft. First flying in March 1955, the F-8 Crusader was one of the finest carried-based fighter jets to ever emerge from the United States. It earned the nickname “The Last of the Gunfighters” as it was the final American fighter built with guns as its primary weapon.

The Crusader was powered by a Pratt and Whitney J57 turbojet, with an afterburner, and it became the first jet fighter in United States service to reach 1,000 mph, which was an achievement in itself. Its top speed was an impressive 1,227 mph, or Mach 1.8.

It's amazing in itself that the F-8 was the last fighter built to have a gun as its primary armament. But it shows just how far weapons had evolved since the Second World War. The F-8, though, was one of the most recognizable aircraft of its era, and was effectively a poster boy for the US Navy aircraft fleet for the best part of 20 years. It proved its worth in combat on multiple occasions, and would go down in history as one of the most successful fighters ever built in America.

US Gigantic $45 Million Helicopter Lifting JLTV - CH-53E Super Stallion

Source: US Military Power

A U.S Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, performs an external lift at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. HMH-463 conducted this training with Combat Logistics Squadron 3 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 to become familiar with the lifting capabilities of the helicopter and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle while gaining the knowledge of how to perform the lift efficiently and safely.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the Marine Corps’ primary heavy lift helicopter and has been in service for over 30 years. There are currently 152 CH-53E aircraft in operation. The Super Stallion incorporates GPS, doppler radar, FLIR, and ANVIS-HUD sensors, and carries 7.62mm and 50 caliber guns (as a mission kit). 

B-58 Hustler: America's Cold War Nuclear Bomber Blunder

Source: US Military Power

In an era of fantastic aircraft, the B-58 Hustler was one of the most visually striking warplanes ever to fly. Its delta wing, giant engines, and remarkable performance gave rise to the myth that pilots could literally tear the wings off the bomber if they flew it too fast.

The Hustler was a direct successor to the B-47 Stratojet in the medium bomber role. Medium bombers were expected to attack the Soviet Union from overseas bases. By the time the Hustler entered service, however, the distinction between the medium and the heavy bomber had narrowed, however. The advent of aerial refueling, combined with Air Force concerns about the security of forward airbases and the concerns of U.S. allies over the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons on their territory, meant that the B-58 would operate strictly from U.S. bases.

U.S. Navy Releases Incredible Video of USS Gerald R. Ford Conduct High-Speed Turns

Source: US Military Power

Aerial footage of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducting high-speed turns in the Atlantic Ocean during Sea Trials.