Project Crusader-VFP-62-Cuban Missile Crisis

Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:35 pm

I am posting a link to images of the RF-8 Crusader at Battleship Park
outside Mobile, AL. Work is just starting on it. It will be revamped to
represent an aircraft of VFP-62 from the time of the Cuban Missile
Crisis that was 45 years ago this week. Not only was this aircraft in
the squadron but it flew two of those recce missions.

Enjoy,
Owen

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2923084 ... host=rides

Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:46 pm

That is awsome, a real warbird.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:57 pm

Hi Owen, how are things going down there w/ the repairs to the hurricane damaged planes?

Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:34 pm

doesn't look to bad. will be sweet when finished, great marking tribute to that dangerous time. i was just a baby then.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:00 pm

Pat, progress is slow but steadily in the right direction. The A-12 was
finished recently and back inside the repaired hanger. I need to get
some pictures of it. Good pictures of it are real hard to get inside. I
shot some today but they didn't turn out. I have a lot to learn about
digital photography

Below is a link to some more Crusader material. The inflight photo
with "5645" on the tail is the same plane at the park. The guy mounting
up on a Crusader is the guy who flew it over Cuba during the CMC.
He is also pictured in the group photo. And there is one of their squadron
patches pictured as well.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/560991916Kzmdwf

Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:26 pm

I have posted some more photos of the Crusader.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/5611751 ... host=rides

Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:55 am

One of the local TV stations did a piece on the RF-8 and
its' role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. I wish the segment
had been a little longer but all-in-all they did a good job.

http://wkrg.com/news/article/new_additi ... tory/8471/

Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:40 pm

For those interested below is a link to photos of the RF-8 Crusader
being redone at Battleship Park. Included are some close up detail photos of the camera bays.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/5611751 ... host=rides

Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:22 am

The Crusader has fresh paint on her now.......

http://rides.webshots.com/album/5611751 ... s&start=96

Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:26 am

Nice to see progress being made.

Robbie

Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:49 pm

Great photos Owen! Thanks for sharing them and for letting us know how things are going down in Mobile with the photo Crusader.

I couldn't help but notice the photo Panther in the backround. Has any work begun on repairing her?

Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:25 pm

No, nothing going on with the recce Panther yet.
Shucks Viking, the paint isn't even dry of the
Crusader yet.

Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:57 pm

Latest photos.......................two weeks to the
squadron reunion...............

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2669246 ... host=rides

Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:02 pm

Looks like you guys are doing some amazing work down there. Great job.

Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:03 am

Below is a link to photos of the RF-8 at Battleship Park receiving the final
touches, the storyboards, and artifact display. Finally there are shots of
the finished bird.

The VFP-62 reunion was held April 3 - 6 in Mobile at Battleship Park. About
sixty attended and a good time was had by all. Most impressive was
watching the guys get back up in the cockpit one more time. It was
something to see.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/5611751 ... &start=144

Project Crusader-VFP-62-Cuban Missile Crisis

Project Crusader-VFP-62-Cuban Missile Crisis

Project Crusader

Cuban Missile Crisis RF-8

RF-8 Crusader

Fresh paint

RF-8

More pictures

Finished and on display