BuNo 138899
The
Museum's Crusader is the Prototype airplane, BuNo 138899. After
being completed at the Vought factory near Dallas, it was trucked to
Edwards Air Force Base where it made its first flight March 25, 1955.
Test Pilot John Konrad took the airplane supersonic on this
flight, the first time it had ever been done with any fighter on its
maiden flight.
'899' made 509 flights during five years of flight testing, after which it was donated to the Smithsonian NASM in 1960. After being stored at the Silver Hill, MD restoration facility for a number of years, and a few other intermediate stops, the airplane was moved to the Museum of Flight's Restoration Center in Everett, Washington, where it is currently under restoration.
Museum of Flight Restoration Center - Everett, Washington
Links:
Joe Baugher's Excellent History
Museum of Flight Description
Smithsonian NASM Description
'899' made 509 flights during five years of flight testing, after which it was donated to the Smithsonian NASM in 1960. After being stored at the Silver Hill, MD restoration facility for a number of years, and a few other intermediate stops, the airplane was moved to the Museum of Flight's Restoration Center in Everett, Washington, where it is currently under restoration.
Museum of Flight Restoration Center - Everett, Washington
Links:
Joe Baugher's Excellent History
Museum of Flight Description
Smithsonian NASM Description
Early Operational Images are Vought Photos via Steve & Corine Galeener
Copyright 2006 Robert A. Bogash. All Rights Reserved