|
| 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 |
| George Jessmer, e-mail, 08.10.2011 04:26 I was at Suffolk Co. 63 to 66 crewed 57-448 also ran a 5 minute alert shift for a short time, great base great aircraft and support crews. reply | | R . Eurich, e-mail, 01.09.2011 03:21 Having been a crew chief on both the F101B ( 60th FIS Otis AFB ) and the RF101C ( 18th OMS attached to the 15th TRS Kadena AFB Okinawa 62-64) , I find the article interesting and enlightening. However, I feel that I must point out that the RF101C's from the 15th TRS were in Southeast Asia before 1964. I, along with many others, was crewing them in Viet Nam, in mid 1963. Just for the record! reply | | Gary R. Mackey, e-mail, 03.08.2011 01:05 I was at Otis AFB, 1958-1962, as an Air Policeman guarding your Voodoo's. Just loved the pilots and flight crews. My hat off to all. It was a real thrill to feel, hear and watch as the plane left the hanger roaring down the run way. reply | | Gary R. Mackey, e-mail, 03.08.2011 01:05 I was at Otis AFB, 1958-1962, as an Air Policeman guarding your Voodoo's. Just loved the pilots and flight crews. My hat off to all. It was a real thrill to feel, hear and watch as the plane left the hanger roaring down the run way. reply | |
| | John J. Doyle, e-mail, 02.06.2011 09:11 I was assigned to Lockbourne AB in Jan 62 as recip eng mech on KC-97's. I arrived late at night and was assigned a room in transient barracks at the end of the runway.
I woke up to this incredible Boom! early in the morning to see the Ohio ANG Voodoo's taking off with after burners lit up in the dark early morning. Will never forget it. Always loved the looks of that AC. reply | | Mike, e-mail, 30.05.2011 00:07 Always loved the voodoo, particuarly some stunning shots of the firing genie nuclear missles. reply | | a2c mike (wally) jarosz, e-mail, 28.05.2011 21:55 I was piched up by the 75th 65. and was assigned to t-bird flight under tsgt jerry schultz I crew chiefed t-33a 57-713 I feel sorry for not staying but I was reassigned to Vietnam reply | | Glenn Benoit, e-mail, 28.05.2011 21:17 I was a engine mechanic on the F-101 at Oxnard from Sept 65 until Dec of 67. My best memory was a pilot reported vibration and instrument fluctuation in one engine, so he shut it down. I was called to meet the aircraft upon landing. I looked into the intake and went to the pilot to have him look at what I found. The hydraulic pump had been sucked through the engine. There was so much damage it looked like a hollow drain pipe. You could see straight through the engine. The pilot actually turned pale and said if he knew there was that much damage he would have ejected over the Pacific. reply | | Don K osmin, e-mail, 28.05.2011 04:50 worked on the voodoo at phalsbourg AB France 1958, fld. maint. sq.,J-57 engine mech., just b /4 degaul kicked us out. reply | | Burt, e-mail, 18.05.2011 17:56 Where can I get a F-101B Patch reply | | Capt Edgar, e-mail, 15.05.2011 16:12 I was a "wso" flying VooDoos with 13th FIS 1963-1965
What a big "BOOM-BOOM" those afterburners made... flew across Montana low and fast buzzing the Great Northern Train leaving out od Wolf Point Montana...always will remember looking out of the cockpit, over at the passengers in the vista-dome cars, as we zoomed past. reply | | John Varner, e-mail, 07.05.2011 08:19 I was a crew chief on 101 B's at Griffiss 1963-1965. An occassional 102. Worked alert and flight line. Damn near got roasted when an armament troop broke the copper safety wire and pushed the toggle switch blowing a drop tank cracking it open. Lucky nothing ignited! Just finished refueling. Safety pins, ya right!! Another time the line chief demanded and ordered me to tow a 101 onto the run-up pad during a typical Griffiss blinding snow storm, over my objections. Got the main gear stuck in the mud. Couldn't see!! Where they found those NCO's in the 49th is anyones guess. They had no idea or even a clue what they were doing! NCO turnover was rampant. Pilots great bunch of guys. Lot of good memories. Loved Rome. reply | | Larry Kelley, e-mail, 01.05.2011 02:37 I was a Voodoo Medicine Man on the F-101B at Grand Forks AFB from Jan 58 thru Jul 62. I was a Pneuhydraulic Repairman and enjoyed working on the B model. We got the last 101's that MacDonnell built. Hated the shrink Struts in the winters. Remember one of the guys in our shop blowing the Hyd Reservior out of the A /C after doing a Emergency Blow down of the gear. Many fond memories of my days at GFAB. reply | | frederick heaton, e-mail, 16.04.2011 06:00 i was a crew chief on f 101 at onard cal. 1963 to 1967. my memory tells me the a /c was tail no 57-426 and it was an "F" MODEL. GOT AN ORIENTATION RIDE AT hamilton afb, and got to go supersonic. quite a thrill for a country boy. does anybody remember any of this? would be happy to hear from anybody that was at oxnard during those years. reply | |
| | joseph tippett, e-mail, 14.04.2011 04:45 Any Voodoo medicine men out there that were with the 20th Tac Recon Sq at Shaw years 1960 to 1964? reply |
| David Ham, e-mail, 06.04.2011 06:36 I was crew chief of F101B 570278 of the 408th Fighter Sq. 322nd Fighter Intercetor Sq. Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon 1960-64. The Voodoo was an incredible aircraft. Maintenance people loved its reliability as did the aircrews. I got some back seat time and loved every minute of it. The assigned pilot for my plane was Capt. Carter. Her was a great guy but he did not fly my plane and more than anyother pilot. Phil Chamberlin of the tire shop was my roommate. Some great crew chiefs were Haskins, Jones. Rizzo, and one of assistant C /Chiefs was Edwinson. reply | | Robbie Robinson, e-mail, 03.04.2011 14:06 I am a keen USAF Fighter aircraft historian .Does anyone have any photos /pictures of 481st TFS,27TFW F-101,s (Green & White
tail markings).Also any colour photos of 432TRW RF-101,s 1958-1962,please. reply | | Walt Houghton, e-mail, 20.03.2011 03:10 Worked in Armament Shop at Suffolk when the 2thFIS transitioned to the VooDoos. Later moved out to ADC Storage Site and worked on MB-1 "Genies".Later spent 2 years at Tyndall at ADWC. Great times for an 18 yr. old kid. Flew in the Aero Clubs with my heroes, those "One-O- Wonders". Great people! reply | | Chuck Dashiell, e-mail, 17.03.2011 05:43 I was assigned to the 49FIS Griffss AFB Rome, NY from 1961 thru 1966 as AWCS tech (ie Radar) assigned to "C" Flight 90-426 thru 90-436 what a pretty airplane when they were shiny silver, sometime in 63 or 64 they sent them off to Hill AFB and the came back paint gray. I still have my Field Jacket with all the patches and strips to bad it is only 6 sizes to small now. reply | | BillA, e-mail, 17.03.2011 05:40 The write-up as a few errors: 101B's never carried THREE Falcons; they had capability for 2 Genies on one side of the door, and TWO IR Falcons on the other side. Radar-guided Falcon capability was removed around 1960. (I was a radar-AKA Fire Control System-tech 32271F at Griffiss, 1961-64. Left the REGAF in '64, joined the Air Guard in '65, working on 102's. Radar systems on the 101 and 102 were very similar). When we went through System training at Griffiss in '61, the logic diagrams showed circuitry for the "Alternate Door", which would have carried 3 Falcons on each side. Hughes tech reps told us the AF never bought the alternate door.
Infra-red tracking capability was added to the FCS around '63; the project was called the Interceptor Improvement Program (IIP). It also added longer radar range tracking capability, and the silent lobing antenna (no spin motor).
The F101F was the dual-control version of the F101B, prior to the sell to Canada. It had all the capabilities of the F101B, in addition to allowing the RO to play pilot. reply |
|
Do you have any comments?
|
| 
COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
|
Joe,
I think you and I were in Tech School together at Amarillo late 60 to Jan 61. You went to Shaw and I went to Yokota.
Ken
reply