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The Vought F8U-3 Crusader III was a fighter developed by Chance Vought for the US Navy as a competitor to the McDonnell F4H for the fleet air defense mission. Although similar to the F8U-1 and F8U-2, it was virtually all-new with a more powerful engine. The F8U-3 proved to be superior to the F4H in every respect, except for one that proved to be the most significant to the admirals who had funding for only one new fighter, the presence of a second crewman to operate the radar.