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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 |
| Leo Kwiatkowski, e-mail, 25.06.2012 22:23 worked on vodoos at lockbourne ohio 1963 to 67 hydraulic spec. any one still around from the 87th F.I.S. reply |
| Jerry Zerm, e-mail, 07.06.2012 02:18 fine memories of TDY to Tan San Nhut, the last time early '65 as an engine mechanic supporting the 45th TRS from Misawa, Japan. A great airplane, with many great guys living in those fine tents. We made a stencil in the shape of the 101 with VooDOO above the aircraft sillouhet, and viet cong under neath the sillouhet. Painted that sillouhet many times on transit aircraft, and on our neighbors flying the RB-57. reply | | John Schnittker, e-mail, 17.05.2012 00:06 Was at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas when we rec'd our first F101A's in 1957, followed shortly by F101C's. We were SAC with F84F's and then went to TAC with the F101. At the end of 1958, all of our aircraft (3 Squadron's) were transferred to RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge in England. We had 2 Sqadrons at Bentwaters and 1 at Woodbridge. I was in 81st Field Maint. Texas was always hot and dry but England was wet and cold. Hated it at first but being from Michigan I adapted quickly. I adapted quickly to London! It was a short train ride of 70 miles. reply | | Jeff Joseph, e-mail, 25.04.2012 06:26 Loved working on the Radar as a 19 year old.Checking the operation of the Rotor door with a hydraulic mule on the plane
checking the firing signals to the missile launcher.Great training for my Career as a McDonnell Tech Rep on the F-4.
Got to Work with USN, USMC, and USAF best job I ever had. reply | |
| | DON KOSMIN, e-mail, 03.04.2012 04:31 LAST A /C I WORKED ON IN FRANCE 1958, JUST B /4 DEGAULL KICKED US OUT, PHALSBOURG A /B, IN ANSWER TO PHIL IN TUCSON, DONT REMEMBER THE NEED FOR JACKING A /C TO PULL ENG., BUT IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THEN, MEMORIES KIND OF FOGGY reply | | jim jacobson, e-mail, 26.03.2012 17:31 hi: just finished a book about the voodoo & surfed into this site looking for vets from k.i. sawyer. only found some old timers from when i used to go to the open house as a kid! i joined the force in 1970 & was posted to sawyer as i wanted to be close to home in hancock mi. anyway, i was a ramp rat with the 410th security police squadron. worked entry control on the 62 fis ramp & also pilots alert quarters. the pilots weren't tight asses like those bomber pukes flying the b.u.f.f.s! i actually had some good conversations with pilots who didn't look down their nose at me as an airman first class. then went to cam rahn bay vietnam, 483rd sec pol sq. some fun!!! back to k.i. & now the 87th fis with f 106s. got out with a general discharge, bad attitude after vietnam! saw two f 101s in arizona at a city airport. my wife bumped into one of the trailing edges!sure have a lot of good memories of voodoos. i was out on the active runway on a o.r.i. security post & was falling asleep leaning on a ground heater, when a voodoo came in on final!!! sure woke me up! to all you stick jockeys & wrench turners, thanks for the memories! like the time it hit 75 below zero & i was at the buff alert area!! reply | | Charles Dusenbery, e-mail, 09.03.2012 20:12 Crew Chief on 57-392, Dow AFB, 1962 through 1965. I had one flight in the F101B out of Dow during those years. I still remember the flight like it was yesterday. Thanks for the memories. reply | | Bud Jeansonne, e-mail, 24.02.2012 23:13 I was an instrument repairman in the 49th. FIS at Griffiss AFB from September 1963 to January 1965. This was a great bird (some components hard to get to). My boss was Sgt. Pat Colvin and I remember Sgt. Hansel running radar shop. Other guys I remember were Bob Sambone, Bob Angel, Howard Boker, Cliff Plotkin and Ray Belcher. Had a great time at Griffiss. The pilots and ROs were great to us also. reply | | Phil Lawton, e-mail, 12.02.2012 11:16 If any of you were stationed with the 75th FIS at Dow AFB in /around October 1962, during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the squadron deployment to Niagara Fall, NY, we're having a 50th Reunion in September this year—2012—at Lake Lucerne Inn, Dedham, Maine. 'kind of a Last Roundup for most of us. Contact me if you're interested. reply |
| Al,, e-mail, 09.02.2012 23:48 Or museum in Canton OH has a F101B Voodoo and we are having a big problem trying to opening the canapy any suggestions ?? reply | | Ed Kupiec, e-mail, 31.01.2012 02:49 In Feb 63, I landed at Tan Son Nhut to begin my education in COIN Photo-Interpretation. Worked with pilots from both 45th & 15th. Toss-in the guys from the RB-26's and RB-57's and you had interesting experiences. Remember the RF-101 pilots telling about pulling rooster tails screaming low over the ocean. Of course, there were wagers placed against the F-102's for climb to altitude. Was in the PI trailer when the 101 pilot came in to look at his film of downtown Saigon, he hadn't been briefed about Diem's Anti-Aircraft Missles around the palace. In 1971, while stationed with the 15th TRS at Kadena, that original Saigon photo was now mural-size on a reply | | B.Dobbins, e-mail, 22.01.2012 21:32 was at Suffolk Co.AFB,N.Y. from late 1953 to mid 1960 with 52FG from 102's to 101B. then on to Misawa with 45TRS 1960 t0 1963. A mechanic's aircraft in many ways. Saw Don Muang early and Saigon tent city early on in the SEA mess and tried to keep up with 45th. Still best bird and outfit I served with in my 22 years reply | | Bob Gerring, e-mail, 16.01.2012 23:19 John Varner...See my last post! We probably crossed paths at some point while at Griffiss. Did you know my boss, Dave Viera (SSGT)hydraulic shop? reply | | Bob Gerring, e-mail, 16.01.2012 23:13 I was a hydraulic mechanic with the 49th FIS, Rome, NY worked on the (F-101B)and(T-33)1963-1966. TDY to 432nd FMS, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand (F101, F4C)1966 to early 1967. TDY 606th CSS mid 1967 to July 1967. Worked on T-33'S. reply | |
| | Martin, e-mail, 14.01.2012 10:54 I was with the 45th TRS from Misawa Japan,tdy to Tan Son Nhut in 1964,it was called Able Mable.We lived in tents in a grave yard.We needed the sun to heat the water for hot showers. reply | | Ken Ester, e-mail, 10.01.2012 03:24 15th TRS Kadena late 64 to early 66. Voodoo Medicine Man and Crew Chief. TDY to Tan Son Nhut sometime around the Coup. Interesting time. Then LONG TDY to Udorn before it got built up. Our pilots were flying "Iron Hand" Missions over Hanoi. We lost a lot of birds in a short time. Would love to hear from others that served at same time. I need to prove to VA that we were boots on the ground in Vietnam at Tan Son Nhut with the 15th. Also weren't we also referred to as the 15 Reconnaissance Task Force (15th RTF)? Would like to know if anyone has a copy of TDY orders.
Ken E4 A1C 43151C at the time. reply | | Jeff Joseph, e-mail, 31.12.2011 03:17 Any one out there from 412 Camron or 445th FIS 58-60 reply | | Dwight, e-mail, 24.12.2011 07:54 I attended school on-base at RCAF One Fighter Wing from 1960 to 1963. It was only a block or so to the control tower where we would sit and have lunch. A USAF reconnaisance aircraft landed and taxied to a stop near us. There appeared to be a large belly camera under the cockpit. The pilot asked for directions to the PX and headed off. This caused quite a stir with the French security as he had not cleared with them. Could this have been an F-100? Any info. would be appreciated. reply | | ,Paul Allin, e-mail, 27.10.2011 01:33 I was a RIO in the 49th FIS mat Griffiss AFB in Rome N.Y. from 1961 to 1064. I will always remeber my first "max performance takeoff" Such power! I was assigned to a /c 90425 though I flew in all the aothers in the squadron. Hit Mach 1.85 once and got as high as 72,000 feet chasing a U-2 before running out of flying speed. Loved that aircraft. reply | | Richard bowser, e-mail, 25.10.2011 18:30 was with the 4756th OMS out of Tyndall AFB from summer 1966 thru Feb 1970, as an asst. crew chief and crew chief the last 1 1 /2 yrs. My bird, 58-271 is on display at Wings Over The Rockies Air And Space Museum in Denver, Co. It has been restored it's Tyndall paint scheme from when I was the CC. Went to CO to see 271 4 yrs. ago with my oldest son, an became emotional showing him the very SAME dents and dings that were on her when I was CC. I donated my utlity shirt with all the patches, including the Voodoo Medicine Man. The curator sent me a nice letter stating that my shirt would be on display as long as 271 was there. It has been on loan for several yrs from the AF Museum. Wings Over The Rockies is the only museum that has ALL 100 series acft. 58-271 was a B Model that was assigned to Test Sqd. within the 4756 OMS. She carried a centerline tow target and reel, as 1 of only 2 or 3 other Voodoos at Tyndall used for this purpose. Memories I will cherish forever. reply |
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Phil Lawton
Crew Chief 63 t0 66 F101B
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