As the French Aeronavale flew the F8 E (FN) up to the year 2000, and kept a limited number in top condition, we regularly had it in the airshow circuit over here, including the one at RNlAS Valkenburg (before an a....le closed it down and gave away our Orions in the process) a couple of miles down the road from where we live, as well on numerous yearly RNlAF Open Days.
It never failed to impress immensely with its booming J 57, especially when the AB was lighted.....
It was always flown to the limits and it compared VERY well with a number of much more modern jets.
Equiped with modern all-aspect missiles (Matra Magic's) it was a formidable proposition.
An F8 with a P&W F100 engine or even a later J79 would have been a very interesting case.....
We miss it over here and I'm glad to be able to fly it in SFP1 now and then. apart form having two 1:72 models right in front of me !!
Aju,
Derk