[hyair]

The two were never fought against each other but the compare between them is intresting to say the least.
The Crusader was developed to operate from NAVY cariers but in Vietnam was operated by the Marines from airfields.
The Marines operated the much capable fighter the F-8E as a fighter bomber with the ability to take 2 tons of bombs rockets and internal 4x20 mm colt guns.
The Crusader was called the Mig master as it killed 19 Migs 16 of them Mig 17 and 3 Mig 21's. His kill ratio was 1:6 or two times better that the Phantom F-4's.
The Draken main asset was that of an Interceptor which could reach high altitude in speed and use Sidewinder or falcon missiles or 30 mm internal gun.Since the Draken was exported only to Finland Denemark and Austriech it didn't got the chance to fire in anger.
If we can sum up Draken against the Crusader each one has it's values- the Draken has better speed and climb rate and the Crusader has a better turn rate as both use similar thrust engines - Avon for Draken and J57P20 for the Crusader 8 ton
for each engine.
The Draken had also air to ground capability and could upload bombs and rockets as well.
While some 1200
Crusaders were built 600 Drakens were built- not a small number for Sweden.
The Draken had the upper hand in service life until 2005 in Sweden and still fly in airshows ! .
For some reasons no F-8 is in a fly condition today !
Both are in 1:48 scale and the Draken is from Wilhelmhavener while the Crusader from Hobbymodel.

Yair