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| The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was the inevitable follow-on to the company's XF-88 and was intended for the same purpose. Though the 1950 penetration fighter competition among XF-88, XF-90 and YF-93A resulted in no production contract, the Strategic Air Command still wanted an aircraft conceived from the outset as an escort fighter, its F-84F being seen as only an interim solution. McDonnell's design team under Herman Barkey responded with the heaviest single-seat fighter ever built. Powered by two 5307kg Pratt & Whitney J57-P-13 turbojets, the F-101 would carry four 20mm cannon plus three Hughes GAR-ID or GAR-2A Falcon missiles or 127mm high-velocity aircraft rockets (HVAR) mounted on rotary bomb doors. The first F-101A flew on 29 September 1954 at St Louis, and exceeded Mach 1 on its maiden flight. This was a production craft, there being no service-test machine. SAC dropped its requirement and the 77 F-101As built went to the Tactical Air Command. The first delivery was made 2 May 1957 to the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing. Seven of these airframes were later designated JF-101A while being used for temporary tests.
The first of two YRF-101A service-test reconnaissance Voodoos flew on 10 May 1956, followed by 35 RF-101A airframes delivered to TAC's 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. The reconnaissance Voodoo had a lengthened nose with space for downward or oblique cameras and other sensors. An RF-101A was shot down during the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962.
The F-101B was the tandem two-seat all-weather interceptor version of the Voodoo for the Air Defense Command, powered by two 5438kg thrust afterburning J57-P-55 turbojets. The first F-101B flew on 27 March 1957 at St Louis. For long-range intercept, it could carry two Douglas MB-1 Genie nuclear unguided rockets as well as three Falcons. Deliveries began on 18 March 1959 to the 60th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Eventually, the F-101B equipped 16 ADC squadrons, guarding against the Soviet bomber threat to North America. The JF-101B designation was applied to two machines used for temporary tests. One NF-101B was structurally modified for development work. Very late in their careers, with reconnaissance Voodoos still needed long after the interceptor variant was retired, 22 of the two-seat airframes were converted to RF-101B. The TF-101B was a version of the interceptor with full dual controls.
ANG units operated the F-101B between 1970 and 1982. This Voodoo flew with the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Minnesota ANG in 1973.
The F-101C single-seat tactical fighter differed from the F-101A primarily in having the capability to carry a US tactical nuclear weapon, and 47 were delivered to TAC. The RF-101C, the first of which was flown 12 July 1957, was an improved development of the RF-101A; 166 went to TAC squadrons. The USAF began operating the RF-101C in South East Asia in 1964 and suffered its first combat loss on 21 November 1964 when an RF-101C of the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was shot down over Laos. Though not as much publicised as other combat types, the RF-101C remained in combat until 1970. No fewer than 31 airframes were lost in battle, plus another six to operational causes. In the mid-1960s, a few RF-101Cs served with the Nationalist Chinese air force, flying clandestine missions over the mainland.
Other Voodoo variants were the F-101F, the USAF designation for the CF-101F interceptor operated by Canadian forces; the RF-101G, a conversion of high-hour RF-101A airframes for reconnaissance duties with the Air National Guard; and the RF-101H, another reconnaissance conversion. One F-101B appeared briefly on the US civil register, as N8234, used for thunderstorm research by Colorado State University. A few CF-101Fs remain in service with Canadian forces for electronic warfare operations. Total production was 807 Voodoos.
 | A three-view drawing (1685 x 1015) |
| CREW | 1 |
| ENGINE | 2 x P+W J-57-P-13, 52.0kN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 18000-22250 kg | 39683 - 49053 lb |
| Empty weight | 12700 kg | 27999 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 12.1 m | 40 ft 8 in |
| Length | 20.6 m | 68 ft 7 in |
| Height | 5.5 m | 18 ft 1 in |
| Wing area | 43.2 m2 | 465.00 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 1940 km/h | 1205 mph |
| Cruise speed | 950 km/h | 590 mph |
| Ceiling | 15800 m | 51850 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 4800 km | 2983 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 4 x 20mm machine-guns, 15 missiles |
| Joe Shallcross, e-mail, 27.01.2016 21:54 I worked on RF101C 56-0088 at Misawa AB,Japan in 1964. It was a wonderful aircraft, I have worked on F105's,F4's and KC135's in my 26 years service in the AF,Navy,NJANG and proud of it! reply | | Jim Hupp, e-mail, 20.12.2015 18:14 I was a Supply Secialist with 87th @ Lockbourne from 10 /63 to 6 /67. Any former 87th out there still in Columbus ? reply | | Jerry Roberts, e-mail, 10.12.2015 23:32 is there anyone left from The 29FIS Malmstrom AFB, or DET1 Billings from 1 /1965- 1 /1968 still around? A&E shops, Radar, FL, POL, and that crappy ass alarm sys in Billings for NOSO area that the MPs watched. reply | | Lanny A. Eichert, e-mail, 21.11.2015 09:35 Lanny "IKE" Eichert @ LAtrehcie@aol.com
Retired in Utah among the Mormons, but certainly not one of them. reply | |
| | Lanny A. Eichert, e-mail, 21.11.2015 08:56 87th F.I.S. @ Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, Ohio weapons control systems mechanic I enjoyed running intercepts on landing aircraft from the cockpit of the parked F101 I was repairing during 1964 - 1967. Pilots complained it'd fly either a hump course or a sub course. It took three years before I visualized the whole system and got real confident knowing where to go to get it repaired the first time. My barracks room was #222. Jeff Wallace was at the other end of the floor and he was in the drague chute shop. 1967 I went to Clinton County AFB, our deployment base down in Wilmington, OH; east of Wright Patterson from which I processed out 03Jan68 to start January semester at Appalachian Bible Institue in Bradley, WVA. I preached the Fundamental Baptist Gospel in the barracks and took the heat from the guys for it. TSgt Scott Sprague was our training NCO and he was a born again Christian also. So was our base deputy commander Col. Ridgley Ryan whom I heard on J. Vernan McGee's radio Bible study program in 1999. Some of us guys had Bible studies at his base housing. Col. Ryan's wife made the best pumpkin pie I ever tasted. Last year I flew out to Columbus and toured what's left of the base and I could not recognize anything, not ever get my orientation. On line search showed me in '67 the 87th began shipping out its F101's one by one. reply | | Marty Hutto, e-mail, 11.08.2015 18:45 I was in the 75th FIS Falcon missile shop at Dow from late 1960 to early 1961. It was a great aircraft, but it was just too cold out there on the flight line working in the missile bay. I volunteered to cross train to the BOMARC-B. and ended up a Langley AFB where the 48th had the F-102 and the winters were less severe. reply | | Jerry Roberts, e-mail, 03.08.2015 17:44 Art Harrell, are you still out there somewhere? We had to be working DET1 at the same time. I had the COM /NAV shop. reply | | Gerry Bowden, e-mail, 30.07.2015 06:02 I was stationed at Kingsley Field, Oregon. I was assigned to the 408th Camron Sq in the hydraulic shop. Is there anybody else that was there? The F-101 was the first aircraft I worked on. It was a sweet bird to work on. reply | | Robert L Roberts,Capt.Retired, e-mail, 27.06.2015 00:33 YES!! ~AIM HIGH~ Flew both of MD fighters. F101B-75thDow AFB Bangor,ME 9 /61to8 /66; 322ndKingleyField,OR as RIO both Sqds.1st&only scramble on unknown on1st 5min alert successfully exequited. LtCol Sam Hill sqd Co. New Capt.Dick Carter at 322nd also Capt.Dean Wherly@ both Sqds. See about F4DCE under that. 251missions NAM. ~~~AIM HIGH~~~ reply | | Richard Lloyd, e-mail, 14.06.2015 04:30 Hi to everyone. I was at Shaw AFB, S.C. from Aug 1961 to Apr 1965. I was a jet engine mechanic and worked on the 101s in the 363rd CAM squadron. reply | | hipolito gomez, e-mail, 30.11.2014 23:32 Flew 1960 hours as a Radar Intercept Officer from 1962 to 1969
Aircraft was a great interceptor. reply | | Benjamin, e-mail, 30.11.2014 03:15 Voodoo "medicine man" 98th FIS Dover AFB, 1959-1961.transfered to Tyndall 61-63. Man what a ride. The 101 was beyond....good to see some of the old hands in here. reply | | Jerry Barrow, e-mail, 03.11.2014 06:04 I was stationed at Oxnard AFB,CA 0961-1965;
I was stationed at Oxnard AFB,CA 1961-1965; Assigned to the Base Gym and Swimming Pool; during the Cuban Missile Crisis was assigned to the AP and guarded the ISL end of the runway; after CMC over, back to the gym. Many 437FIS pilots,ROs,camron troops use the gym. I remember when we lost the F101 during the crisis; the RO that ejected was a regular in the gym....great people...great aircraft reply | | Harry Spencer, e-mail, 17.09.2014 04:47 I too was a happy wrencher upon the F-101B ,Hyd shop
75th FIS, Dow AFB, Me. Was stationed there 11-60 to
12-63 (ETS).Shop NCO t /Sgt Pierre M. Evans.Excellent
assignment,outstanding A /C . Officers & inlisted were,
to a man,a privelge to work for and with . reply | |
| | Jeff Kolln, e-mail, 02.09.2014 20:42 I am looking for copies Technical documents /publications on the Fire Control Systems, Radar, and Camera's (RF-101) for F-101 books I am writing. Any informormation on accidents in units minor or major and F-101s that flew atomic testing. Any help very appreciated. reply | | Jerry Roberts, e-mail, 29.08.2014 20:21 Bob Perkins, I was with the 29th at Great Falls from 1 /1965 to 1 /66 then got the best break and was punished by being sent to DET#1 in Billings, I spent the last 2 years having a ball and got out 1 /1968.
Old 30171 Airborne Comm Nav along with a fellow from SoDak Dale Johnsen. We both spent 3 years in the 29th. That era was a hoot.
We lost 2 101's in Billings, the 1 that ran out of gas returning from Dicky Goober and then Maj Gage dumped the other one just past the alert hangers in 1967 I guess it was after a cross wind hit him on flair out landing at Logan Field. I Crewed, Auggied, darn we did it all down there. reply | | Al Rivers, e-mail, 26.06.2014 09:09 Flew the F-101B while assigned to the 15th FIS at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ. It had its deficiencies, but I swear it was the most beautiful and graceful fighter of all in the last half of the 20th Century, with just the right lines and proportions, swept back sleekness and power bulges perfectly placed. And it had a unique engine sound, with a throaty, deep roar that sounded as though it had been modulated by customized mufflers. reply | | Bob A. Gwin Sr., e-mail, 06.06.2014 06:56 We found out some things on the plane crash, 21 Apr 1961, but still need, more information. Dr. Robert S. Gordon, USAF at Laon, signed the death certificate, Dr Neal C. Paulson, US Army Hospital, Verdun, did the Morticians work. May have happened on the Suippes Gunnery Range, 1st Lt, Roger James BYE crashed his Voodoo F101A-25 there, Tail No. MC s /n 54-1450 USAF 81 TFW, Anyone who knows anything about this crash, please let me know. BOB GWIN SR. (918) 664-5147
CGwin@SBCGlobal.net BOB GWIN SR /FACEBOOK (Me with "C" on Cap, with Grand Daughter in Pink Cap.) reply |
| Ed Peters, e-mail, 03.06.2014 18:08 I worked in the engine shop at Dow AFB in Bangor Maine from mid 1960 to June of 63 worked the flight line my lasr year. I remember Col. Hill every winter having a safety meeting in the Main hanger, don't touch planes. Still remember the Silver Dollar Bar, go times. reply | | Robert A. Gwin Sr., e-mail, 30.05.2014 11:59 Anyone who was near Laon AFB, 90 Miles NE of Paris, on 21 April 1961, and remembers a Voodoo F101-A Plane Crash, that killed, 1st Lt. Roger James Bye, please contact me. (918) 664-5147. Bob Gwin Sr. CGWIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET, Thanks, & God Bless you & your Family. I'm helping his nephew Peter C. Bye, of Minn to get info on him. reply |
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1 was airman clerk in when hq. I’m pretty sure this was the crash for which I was assigned to a detail to go to the crash site to look for parts.
There was a huge crater where the plane went in.
We we taken there by. Us about 100 miles from base, as I recall.
Area was a ww1 battleground. Trenches were very evident but overgrown. Unexplored shells, canteen, bayonets were found.
I thougt we were told at the time two planes collided, but a history I’ve seen since, indicates this was one plane crash. I understand pilot died.
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