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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 |
| Brad Simmons, e-mail, 15.03.2011 02:59 K.I. Sawyer AFB 62 FIS 1963-1965 Voodoo Medicine Man crew chief 70-386, then worked both 5 and 15 Min. Alert, we alternated back then, from mid 65 to Dec. 65 worked periodic inspections. Still have 62nd FIS patch with Colonel Spike and boxing gloves, had a medicine patch but one of my son's must've gotten a hold of it when they were young. Wish I had it still, wore then on all the shirts this one was new. reply | | Braq Simmons, e-mail, 15.03.2011 02:57 K.I. Sawyer AFB 62 FIS 1963-1965 Voodoo Medicine Man crew chief 70-386, then worked both 5 and 15 Min. Alert, we alternated back then, from mid 65 to Dec. 65 worked periodic inspections. Still have 62nd FIS patch with Colonel Spike and boxing gloves, had a medicine patch but one of my son's must've gotten a hold of it when they were young. Wish I had it still, wore then on all the shirts this one was new. reply | | TERRY ROBERTS, e-mail, 08.03.2011 02:03 13 fis, glasgow afb, montana, 1965-66. I instrument shop. reply | | joseph tippett, e-mail, 06.03.2011 21:57 I was an A /1C with the 20th TAC recon sq at Shaw AFB 60-64. I was a Voodoo medicine man crew chief. Do any of you guys remember crawling into the intakes to hook up hydralic lines after an engine swap? God! was'nt that a treat!!! reply | |
| | Robert Burch, e-mail, 22.02.2011 21:50 I was in the Camera Repair Section of the 363rd A&E Sq at Shaw in 1960-62 in support of the RF-101. I also worked on the camera systems with the 18th A&E Sq at Kadena in 1965-68. I was with the 439th A&E Sq at Misawa for six months in 1966. Both units were going TDY to Udorn RTAFB until the 45th Recon Sq aircraft were transferred PCS in the fall of 1966. This terminated the TDY of the 18th Wing from Kadena. The troops at Udorn did a good job with the
-101 until the arrival of the RF-4C in 1967. reply | | moe Waschmann, e-mail, 17.02.2011 08:09 I was station at K.I Sawyer from 58 to 61 worked on the line POL, loved that 101, great A /C. was transfered fron Youngston Ohio, where we started with 86 Ds in 57 then went to 102s. by far the 101 was a classic. reply | | Martin, e-mail, 07.02.2011 12:05 I was with RF-101C in Nam with Able Mable 1964-1965.We slept in 6 man tents in a graveyard,had hot water from a tank above the showers that the sun heated.
I was from Misawa ab Japan. reply | | Sherry W, e-mail, 03.02.2011 17:07 My dad was stationed at Laon Air Force Base 1961-1965 I am looking for History on the Chapel at the base-also are there any reunions for that era that you are aware of? reply | | Bill Vawter, e-mail, 30.01.2011 22:47 I need some info regarding the removal of wings and tail section from a 101. we have obtained one for the HAMM museum in Tyler, Tx. Since it has to be trucked in we will possible have to remove the wings unless we can get waivers from TXDOT. Any help would be appreciated. reply | | david nelson, e-mail, 04.01.2011 23:46 was at otis from 10 /66-2 /68 straight out of tech school was a weapons mechanic (A2C ,43250),on the Voodoo, before going to Vietnam to fly as a aerial gunner on ac47 Spooky gunships.( Binh Thuy /Bien Hoa. reply | | JACK SEARS, e-mail, 03.01.2011 06:55 I was at Loan AFB in France from November 1960 - November 1963. I was a crew chief on the Voodoos. I was an Airman First Class. The base was the pitts. I enjoyed working on the planes. A good friend of mine was Frank Farrimond who was a staff sgt company clerk. I found out that he died in an accident two years ago. reply |
| Eddie, e-mail, 30.12.2010 16:51 Anybody (101 pilots) at Griffis AFB, NY circa 1965-1967? reply | | AVolpe, e-mail, 24.12.2010 06:22 I was born too late to really experience the Century fighters, and I never did become a Fighter pilot as I had dreamed of as a kid, but, I just want to say Thank You to all of you and your relatives who were involved in all aspects of the Century series. I adore these aircraft on several levels. The Voodoo is a fascinating aircraft, and I don't think it had a chance to really shine with the USAF, in the same light with the F-104. I have a particular interest in the Century fighters that were stationed in the New England states, and certainly of my home state of Massachusetts, such as the 337th and 60th FIS. I always have an eye & ear open for squadron patches, pictures, artwork and information /stories. These aircraft and their crews, builders, designers have my utmost respect. reply | | RichardSchutz, e-mail, 22.12.2010 01:25 I worked with the 123rd TAC Recon Wing at Shewmaker ANGB, Louisville. KY from 1971 to 1975 on the sensors of this bird, the RF-101C. The cameras were the forward facing KA-56, panoramic KA-57 and two oblique KA-56 in the nose, they also had two KA-1 high altitude cameras in the belly camera position. Plus a viewfinder and flash bomb capabilies, never used as far as I know. The 123rd wnt to RF-4C in 1975. reply | |
| | Larry Mulhall, e-mail, 18.12.2010 17:20 I too was a Voodoo Medicine Man for the 75th FIS at Dow AFB, Bangor, Maine from June 1961 thru December 1962. Great aircraft. Loved the sound of the engines going into afterburner. Loved midnight chow. Those cooks were the best. reply | | Alvin Cales, e-mail, 13.12.2010 05:38 I was a Jet Engine mechanic stationed at Laon,AB France from 1961-1965. I worked at the Jet Engine test cell located not to far from one end of the runway. The RF 101 Voodoo was a good airplane, with two very good J-57 engines with afterburner. I later worked in Jet Engine conditioning and spent many nigfhts on the trim pad running the installed engines after maintenance was performed. I lived in Tergnier initially but later lived on base in one of the government trailers. My youngest son was one of the first babies born in the hospital at Laon. We left in 1965 .just before the French started kicking us out of FRance. Many good memories reply | | Jeff Kolln, e-mail, 05.12.2010 20:42 I am working on a F-101 (all models) book. I am interested in finding the technical manuals for the radar, fire control systems, cameras, and any other systems I can find. I understand they even had them for the Nuclear Weapons??? I only wish to scan and copy them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. reply | | Russell W.(Bud) Wood, e-mail, 01.12.2010 04:44 At Hamilton AFB I was a crew chief of f-101B 57-252 from 1962 until 1965. with the 83 FIS spent a year on night shift before thansfering to Griffiss AFB 49th FIS 1966 as Line Chief of 18 F-101B aircraft UE Squadron. The Vodoo Medicine Man was honor that I remember fondly. I always wished they never took the tool box away as being Crew Chief was my best experience i ever had. The F-101B was the best in my opinon that ADC had at that time our OR rate put the f-102A and F-106A to shame. I know first hand as I was line chief of 13 F-102A in Iceland the year of 1968. LOL Hamilton was nice but Griffiss was home.retired 1978 reply |
| Phil Borders, e-mail, 28.11.2010 01:10 Hello Tom White
I was also stationed at K.I.Sawyer from Feb.'60 to Sept.'63. I was crew chief on 57-368. When we got there the planes were still fairly new, and when I left in '63 they still had the IFR probe in front of the windshield, but I see later on they mounted something else up there.(?)
I remember the snow plows running day and night keeping the runway clear. Midnight chow at the mess hall. Good stuff. Loved that SOS. Long time ago, take care. reply | | Msgt Kris Bickel USAF Ret, e-mail, 15.11.2010 04:55 Hi Tom White. I too am a VooDoo Medicine Man from K I Sawyer 1966-1970. The 62ndFIS is now stationed at Springfield Ohio and is a F-16 Pilot Training Squadron with the OHANG. I also met the 62nd at MacDill AFB FL while in the OHANG on deployment. Served 8 years active duty with a tour in Thailand the rest of my 36 years with the OHANG at Rickenbacker ANGB in Columbus Ohio. reply |
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Russell W.(Bud) Wood
I was at Laon same time period. I was a clerk in wing hq.
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