F-101 Voodoo | Supersonic Nuclear Armed Fighter Bomber And Photo Reconnaissance Aircraft

The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo is a supersonic jet fighter which served the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Initially designed by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation as a long-range bomber escort (known as a penetration fighter) for the USAF's Strategic Air Command (SAC), the Voodoo was instead developed as a nuclear-armed fighter-bomber for the USAF's Tactical Air Command (TAC), and as a photo reconnaissance aircraft based on the same airframe. An F-101A set a number of world speed records for jet-powered aircraft, including fastest airspeed, attaining 1,207.6 miles (1,943.4 km) per hour on 12 December 1957. They operated in the reconnaissance role until 1979.

Delays in the 1954 interceptor project led to demands for an interim interceptor aircraft design, a role that was eventually won by the B model of the Voodoo. This required extensive modifications to add a large radar to the nose of the aircraft, a second crew member to operate it, and a new weapons bay using a rotating door that kept its four AIM-4 Falcon missiles or two AIR-2 Genie rockets hidden within the airframe until it was time to be fired. The F-101B entered service with USAF Air Defense Command in 1959 and the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1961. US examples were handed off to the USAF Air National Guard where they served until 1982. Canadian examples remained in service until 1984.

The Voodoo's career as a fighter-bomber was relatively brief, but the reconnaissance versions served for some time. Along with the US Air Force's Lockheed U-2 and US Navy's Vought RF-8 Crusaders, the RF-101 reconnaissance variant of the Voodoo was instrumental during the Cuban Missile Crisis and saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. Interceptor versions served with the Air National Guard until 1982, and in Canadian service, they were a front line part of NORAD until their replacement with the CF-18 Hornet in the 1980s.

While the Voodoo was a moderate success, it may have been more important as an evolutionary step towards its replacement in most roles, the F-4 Phantom II, one of the most successful Western fighter designs of the 1950s. The Phantom would retain the twin engines, twin crew for interception duties, and a tail mounted well above and behind the jet exhaust but was an evolution of the F3H Demon while the Voodoo was developed from the earlier XF-88 Voodoo.

Initial design on what would eventually become the Voodoo began just after World War II in response to a USAAF Penetration Fighter Competition in 1946. This called for a long-range, high-performance fighter to escort a new generation of bombers, much as the North American P-51 Mustang had escorted the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Consolidated B-24 Liberators in World War II. Several companies responded with designs, and the Air Force provided funds for several of them to produce prototypes.

After being awarded a contract (AC-14582) on 14 February 1947, McDonnell built two prototypes, designated the XF-88 Voodoo. The first prototype (serial number 46-6525), powered by two 3,000 lbf (13.3 kN) Westinghouse XJ34-WE-13 turbojets, flew from Muroc on 20 October 1948. Preliminary testing revealed that while handling and range was adequate, the top speed was a disappointing 641 mph (1,032 km/h) at sea level. After fitting McDonnell-designed afterburners to the second prototype, thrust was increased to 3,600 lbf (16.1 kN) with corresponding performance increases in top speed, initial rate of climb and reduced takeoff distance. Fuel consumption was greatly increased by use of the afterburners, however, reducing the range.

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 67 ft 5 in (20.55 m)
Wingspan: 39 ft 8 in (12.09 m)
Height: 18 ft 0 in (5.49 m)
Wing area: 368 sq ft (34.2 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 65A007 (modified); tip: NACA 65A006 (modified)[43]
Empty weight: 28,495 lb (12,925 kg)
Gross weight: 45,665 lb (20,713 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 52,400 lb (23,768 kg)
Fuel capacity: 2,053 US gal (1,709 imp gal; 7,770 l) internals plus 2x optional 450 US gal (370 imp gal; 1,700 l) drop-tanks
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55 afterburning turbojet engines, 11,990 lbf (53.3 kN) thrust each dry, 16,900 lbf (75 kN) with afterburner
Performance

Maximum speed: 1,134 mph (1,825 km/h, 985 kn) at 35,000 ft (11,000 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.72
Range: 1,520 mi (2,450 km, 1,320 nmi)
Service ceiling: 58,400 ft (17,800 m)
Wing loading: 124 lb/sq ft (610 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.74
Armament
Missiles: 4 (originally 6)× AIM-4 Falcon, or 2× AIR-2 Genie nuclear rockets, plus 2× AIM-4 Falcon
Avionics
Hughes MG-13 fire control system

#voodoo #F101 #aircraft

[embreeja]

In 1957 I was 6 years old, living in Pasadena, Ca. Edwards AFB was just over the mountain. My parents were in their 30's. We would sometimes hear sonic booms and look up. Now at 71 years old (my mom is now 96), it is amazing to me how amazing the 'state of technology' was at that time --- and I now think of how 'old' a '57 Chevy is, an antique --- yet these guys were flying these machines at that same time. We (Elon Musk) will soon attempt to send a mission to Mars. I am truly blessed to have lived during these times, and owe a lot to these people. I sometimes think my government has recently become a bunch of corrupt buffoons, but still hold out hope because of the knowledge that we once did great things and will do them again.

[derekheuring]

I'll never forget 1961 when the RCAF took the F 101 on strength. It was the Canadian pilot's first supersonic aircraft and they reveled in bombarding us civilians with sonic booms. Even when supersonic was banned over land they would take off from CFB Comox and within minutes were over Georgia Strait breaking the sound barrier. I miss the old days!

[StarShine-Ranch]

As a kid, my favorite model airplane was the Voodoo. I thought it's shape was the most beautiful of all, like a work of art. Liked the name, too!

[yetiatlarge]

Thank you for keeping this information alive. I personally appreciate your focus on the pilot's point of view and operational environment. The reality of looking from the inside out really changes our appreciation of the difficulties of operating these century serries jets. Really tough job!!!

[No_Deal-fergetaboutit]

Thanks for this through review. It really made my dad's day. He flew the F-101B, after transitioning from the F-89D/H/J. He was RO in both. At one point, TDY to Korea, he flew with, then, Maj Adrian Drew who you mentioned set the absolute speed record. Worth noting, Drew said that A model was fitted with the more powerful engines destined for the B model. He also mentioned that at one point he'd momentarily exceeded max temp on one of the engines. This was revealed upon review of the film from the cockpit camera aimed at the instrument panel. Drew hadn't noticed the overtemp at the time and said he was lucky not to have blown up. Finally, the canopy frame was generating enough lift during the run that it lifted away from the windscreen frame enough that he could have fit his hand through there, if he'd wanted. Dad understands this lead to a strengthening of the canopy hold-down mechanism. He said the single-stage afterburners did take some getting used to as it was a "blam! blam!" kick in the pants as each lit. Latter aircraft adopted the soft light burners. Dad compliments you on your thoroughness! He added:

The back seat "...had a removable lap clipboard which gave the RO some navigational capability, a workplace for maps, celestial comps., etc. which only I ever used and then only once. The aircraft could have been placed on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) several hundred miles out in the Atlantic for use with the AWACS aircraft to engage Soviet bombers long before they could reach the US coast and there was some talk of doing that. It was equipped with  both boom and probe and drogue refueling, had significant range; and the ROs were all trained navigators, but it never went further than talk. In the F-89 I had developed the capability to keep track of our position with a navigation technique called Air Plot and always knew precisely where we were using only a leg clipboard; however flying the 101 around the Great Lakes I could do that simply by looking at the radar so no use for the lap clipboard. When flying the 101F (had controls in the RO cockpit) the only difference I ever realized was that I could fly the aircraft, neat because that way I already had some prior jet stick time when I later went to the RF4C, a significant advantage."

Note: He flew 89's out of Orlando and 101s out of Wurtsmith.

[tkskagen]

YES! Finally, a video regarding the F-101 Voodoo.

[wojciechkoska]

I love those manual operation instructional films from 50's and 60's. Thank you.👍

[blooeagle]

My grandfather flew this plane in the RCAF! 416 Sqdn I believe. He held the same sentiment about it having to be flown a certain way. He used to say that at some point in every flight it would try to kill you. He was selected to fly the AVRO CF-105 Arrow before it was canned up here in Canada. After his service he spent decades flying commercial for Air Canada. I really wish I could have known him, he died when I was about ten years old or so. The stories I hear about him are incredible, and from what I hear he was an exceptional pilot. Thanks for posting info about this usually forgotten air craft!

[thDIVTimberwolf]

The One-Oh-Wonder has been my favorite plane since I was a little kid and used to go to the Portland Air National Guard base to watch them take off. It never made sense to me that they didn't light their afterburners until they rotated, but it was so cool to watch and when the thump of the ab hit you in the chest nothing else seemed to matter.

[John_Mack]

Love the sound of a Voodoo... We have one of these bad boys on display at the Halifax Airport Air Museum.

[mandtgrant]

In 1977, as a Sea Cadet at summer camp in HMCS Quadra in Comox BC, we took a firefighting course at CFB Comox. While the course was underway, the two Voodoos in the quick reaction area were scrambled. They were airborne in a ridiculously short distance, then went into a steep climb. They told us that they climbed so steeply to keep them from going supersonic so close to town

[raynus]

Great photo at 14:19.
The Voodoo's silhouette is unmistakable.

[battlespace]

Can you please hire someone to do the narration? AI sticks out like a sore thumb and I don't like listening to it for 2 hours!

[bonitabasl]

Thank you for for all the facts on the voodoo. Stateside I worked the B models at Lockborne A.F.B. During my time there all our aircraft where constantly going thru wiring and system changes while maintaining our operational numbers and alert planes. Worked a lot of hours and into the night for lots of weeks. Thanks again.

[ifly]

Thanks for making this! My Dad worked on the ejection seats on the RF-101's with the KY ANG.

[mikem.s.]

@dronescapes,

Another excellent documentary. Thank you.

[joshuathomas]

Finally a good documentary of the F101.

[danielmorgan]

My dad was a Radar/Weapons Officer on a F-101B Voodoo. We were stationed at Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY & Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, OR. He was killed at Kingsley Field in November of 1968 due to a failure of a critical flight system at take off (Mechanic failed to use appropriate parts on the Aileron control linkages). Ironically enough he was slated for F-4 Phantom pilot qualification in January of 1969 then do a tour in Vietnam afterwards.

[Chuckish]

I served in 416 (AW) Squadron of the RCAF from 1982 to 1984, during that time we had a Voodoo catch on fire during takeoff, the fire was extingiushed and the airframe stripped of everything usable and the airframe was given to the fiirefighters for practice. With the squadron watching they set it on fire and they found out very quickly that the main airframe was a magnesium alloy and it went up in less than 30 seconds.
And on the TV show My Three Sons, Fred McMurray's character was and McDonnell-Douglas Engineer at March AFB working on the F-101 Voodoos.

[BradiKal]

My dad flew USAF 101s in the early 60s out of RAF Bentwaters in England. He also flew the F-100 and the F-4.