[A.A. Cunningham]

A Vought F-8J Crusader of fighter squadron VF-194 Red Lightnings intercepts a Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 Bear-A/B reconnaissance aircraft near the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) (steaming below) on 25 May 1974. VF-194 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing Nineteen (CVW-19).

[LSUfan]

F-8 Crusader was about the best looking jet fighter the US Navy ever had—or any that the Air Force had. Great looking airplane. Damn thing just LOOKED like a fighter, unlike the F-4, which looked like a Goose.

[gorush]

Does this work?

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v489/gorush/?action=view&current=CA_SU-30.flv

[shorty_harris]

I remember seeing one escorted by F-4’s flying over the ship I was on at the time (USS Chicago, CG-11), about 1976.

[BIGLOOK]

Those interceptors were a mere courtesy. The Pickets were trained on the Bears just for practice.