McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
1954
Back to the Virtual Aircraft Museum
  FIGHTERVirtual Aircraft Museum / USA / McDonnell Douglas  

McDonnell F-101 Voodoo

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.

3-View 
McDonnell F-101 VoodooA three-view drawing (1685 x 1015)


Specification 
 CREW1
 ENGINE2 x P+W J-57-P-13, 52.0kN
 WEIGHTS
    Take-off weight18000-22250 kg39683 - 49053 lb
    Empty weight12700 kg27999 lb
 DIMENSIONS
    Wingspan12.1 m39 ft 8 in
    Length20.6 m67 ft 7 in
    Height5.5 m18 ft 1 in
    Wing area43.2 m2465.00 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
    Max. speed1940 km/h1205 mph
    Cruise speed950 km/h590 mph
    Ceiling15800 m51850 ft
    Range w/max.fuel4800 km2983 miles
 ARMAMENT4 x 20mm machine-guns, 15 missiles

Comments 
George Parker, parker931(@)comcast.net, 14.10.2009

I was a autopilot and pitch control technician on the F101B
with the 78th A&E at Hamilton AFB, Calif.from Feb.1963 to July 1966. Then again with the 445th and 75th at Wurtsmith AFB, Mich.from Aug. 1967 to Dec.1969 at which time we gave all our Voodoo,s to the Happy Hooligans at Fargo,North Dakota Air National Guard. The F101B is my favorite aircraft and I enjoyed every minute that I was assigned. It is a great aircraft. In 1971 to 1973 I again worked the same systems on the RF101A and the RF101C with the Michigan ANG. Dearly love these airplanes.

Phil, pkovaric(@)cox.net, 25.09.2009

Any of you guys old F-101 engine mechanics? I need to pull engines off our last F-101 and want to know why the T.O. says the aircraft must be on jacks? No reason given in the T.O. I'm working at the Boneyard in Tucson.

R Saretsky, rsaretsky(@)shaw.ca, 22.06.2009

on behalf of Giordano Bruno I hereby grant the Bulgarian KBG master stalker award to Mr. Fortier for his dogged 18 months of letter writing to the Calgry Herald about me...
Giordano Bruno says:
Barry, your smears appear on every review that's less than five stars for this book! Is there any evidence available that you've read even the books you stamp with your imprimatur, let alone any books that might challenge your ideology? Go away, Barry.

Your reply to Giordano Bruno's post:
To insert a product link use the format: [[ASIN:ASIN product-title]] (What's this?)
Guidelines
Reply to this post
Permalink Report abuse
0 of 2 people think this post adds to the discussion. Do you?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In reply to an earlier post on Mar 10, 2008 9:48 PM PDT
Barry Fortier says:
When you actually start using your own name, perhaps you might be taken seriously. But then in light of your poor efforts at reviews, probably not.

Your reply to Barry Fortier's post:

Barry Fortier, geminiimp(@)hotmail.com, 21.06.2009

Reg, you demonstrate time and time again, that you are an idiot. You were the one to introduce the first reference to the Arrow on this Voodoo page.... Why did you introduce the Arrow, and lie about its performance?? Because that is what you do. And the reference to Thiefenbaker has been on his memorial page for a long time now, and I stand by it. Lied about his record as a lawyer?? Claimed to never have lost a client to the noose... Lost about half. Sold out his own allies to his enemies?? Claimed to be pro-life, but hated Catholics too much to work with them. And why don't you keep your comments on aircraft, instead of lunatic attacks on your betters?? Because thats what you do.

Ken Swick, kswick4915(@)sbcglobal.net, 03.06.2009

I grew up (and still live) 1 mile from Ellington AFB (now Ellington Field) Houston, Texas. I have had a passion for flying since childhood. On Saturday mornings I would ride my bike down the RR tracks to Ellington and sit at the end of runway 17L. I would sit for hours watching the various planes. My favorite, even to this day, has been the beautiful F-101. Big and powerful. I loved to listen to the "howl" as it came in on final. I remember playing outside and hearing the sonic boom as the 101's headed toward the Gulf of Mexico. I have aircraft models hanging from the ceiling at the dealership where I work. Over my workstation hangs the F-101B of the 147th ANG Ellington AFB. On the upper fuselage is the '78 William Tell champion marking. What a great plane.
I count myself lucky to live here and watch all of the "only's" based at Ellington: the last RB57, the Collings Foundation F4, the Aero Spacelines Super Guppy, the last Boeing 707 Vomit Comet (retired now as a gate guard), NASA's T38's, etc. My flying partner and I now fly a Vietnam veteran Cessna O2 out of Ellington. On every final my mind sees a young boy sitting on his bike watching the wonder of flight pass over him.

Danny Turkitch, Voodoomedicineman(@)shaw.ca, 15.05.2009

The CF 101 B was truely a great aircraft. I retired when they retired the CF 101 B.
I was a Weapons tech. I was a "B man" on the loading crew(I am the one who actually loaded, armed the weapons, lock wired the cockpit switches, maintained jetison rockets,refueled,started,towed & serviced the aircraft weapons system). I worked up North with NORAD in the Canadian Air Force.
The Voodoo 101 B was a most sterdy reliable work horse that got the job done every time! A big bang for the buck! I worked on other aircraft but the 101 was the best!

R saretsky, rsaretsk(@)shaw.ca, 25.04.2009

BTW, Chief Diefenbaker wants to know why Barry fortier is raving on about the Avro arrow- on the MD101 Voodoo page...

R saretsky, rsaretsk(@)shaw.ca, 25.04.2009

• Der chief says to say hello, barry Fortier!

• http://www.ggower.com/dief/feedback2.shtml psoted by:
• From: Barry Fortier (Calgary, Alberta)

He was a pompous and untrustworthy idiot, who lied about his record as a lawyer, and sold out his allies to his enemies, if he happened to dislike he allies enough (on ANY issue). He should have his own web page, but only so people can express their contempt for a louse who should have been spat on by any decent human being.

Barry Fortier, geminiimp(@)hotmail.com, 24.04.2009

And again, we see drivel and fantasy from reg.

****
Reg S, rsaret(@)shaw.ca, 03.04.2009

Yawwwwn
Baryy, kindly switch off the 'multi personalities' you have trolling this site..- your 'various personas' outnumber us all....******

Very few people on this site, so you are again resorting to lying. No suprise there.

***
Hypersonic is Mach five & over.

*****

Yes, well over mach 3, as I said.


*****
Dude , you are rather a bore.

Given that the address on your Blogsite is is in one of Calgary's subsidised housing projects, isn't 'one of the Barry's, at least ,' a little ashamed to be wasting the webmaster's mine, & all reader's hard earned tax dollars??
YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN.*****

Reg, you need competent help. Guess what kind(s)?

And since I live in my own private home, and no address on my non-blog can be traced to your latest lie,

Give it up. You pathetic loser.

Jock Williams Yogi 13, williamsB25(@)aol.com, 21.04.2009

I was never assigned to the Voodoo -but I "scrounged" maybe 50 hrs in it over the years -and was always impressed.
Of course, as a "104 pilot" I pitied the Voodoo pukes verbally -but in reality the "Maytag" was a magnificent aircraft.
It served Canada extremely well for 2 decades or more -my favourite squadron 414 operated the last one -the dreaded "Electric Voodoo" which we hand-painted black and which had jammer capabilities that would water your eyes.
Horrified at the results of our hand painting the professionals re-did it -and it looked magnificent for its last year or so. There were only 3 or 4 pilots -Dennis Watson, Larry Martin, Pete Argue and Dave O'Blenis -and they considered themselves blessed to have at it!
If you haven't felt the blast of two simultaneous "hard burner lights" you do not understand why the Voodoo drivers were so turned on. Also -say what you will -having a skilled navigator in the back seat was a tremendous advantage over the contemporary single seaters.

Jock Williams Yogi 13

Reg S, rsaret(@)shaw.ca, 03.04.2009

Yawwwwn
Baryy, kindly switch off the 'multi personalities' you have trolling this site..- your 'various personas' outnumber us all....
Hypersonic is Mach five & over.

Dude , you are rather a bore.

Given that the address on your Blogsite is is in one of Calgary's subsidised housing projects, isn't 'one of the Barry's, at least ,' a little ashamed to be wasting the webmaster's mine, & all reader's hard earned tax dollars??
YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN.

Barry Fortier, geminiimp(@)hotmail.com, 30.03.2009

With apologies to the webmaster, one more short comment.

*****
BTW- hypersonic is OVER mach 5.
*****

By Barry Fortier - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Interesting little book, in the very readable style the author is know for. By its nature (dealing with beyond top-secret), not all sources can be named, but it is a VERY good read. Also love the little planform view of the CF-105 Avro Arrow, as an example of a design for a well over Mach 3 hypersonic machine....

Gee, maybe that would be why I referred to hypersonic as 'well over mach 3'.

Barry Fortier, geminiimp(@)hotmail.com, 30.03.2009

The lack of respect you show for this site and it's owner(s) is amazing.

This isn’t really the place for your efforts, and you really do need to get a life, as well as information, an ability to argue, etc.
Answering you is a waste of time, but ignoring you is not an alternative either.

*****************
“>>>but it has come to light that the erstwhile first flight (a straightline "hop" down the runway), was not a flight after all, but merely the result of Comet G-5-1 hitting a bump on the runway during a taxi trial.
Fortunately, the pilot did not lose control of his machine, and no damage was done to the valuable prototype.
Unfortunately, the "bump" on the runway turned out to be Skippy, a local tree squirrel, and favourite of the local children. Sadly, Skippy did not survive the impact, and only recently have the children been able to come forward with their sad story…..”
*****************

Maybe if you hadn’t done a dishonest cut and paste…

The actual comment:


August 13, 1999. Recently discovered evidence reverses the commonly held view that the Canadian designed and built Avro Jetliner followed the British de Havilland Comet into the air.
The presumed first flight of the Comet is usually given as being July 27, 1949 (as opposed to August 10th for the Jetliner), but it has come to light that the erstwhile first flight (a straightline "hop" down the runway), was not a flight after all, but merely the result of Comet G-5-1 hitting a bump on the runway during a taxi trial.
Fortunately, the pilot did not lose control of his machine, and no damage was done to the valuable prototype.
Unfortunately, the "bump" on the runway turned out to be Skippy, a local tree squirrel, and favourite of the local children. Sadly, Skippy did not survive the impact, and only recently have the children been able to come forward with their sad story.

And now, in a slightly less serious vein, the Avro Canada Jetliner.

Most people would recognize that as humour. You, lacking humour, would not.

*********
Barry DUDE- never saw any of the Barrage of e- mails that you sent the Herald/CanWest . Hope this comforts you..*****

Since no emails were sent to anyone regarding you, you would appear to be lying, or delusional. Or possibly both.


*****************
The above excerpt explains why you aren’t published- except on your uhhh-“site”.BTW- hypersonic is OVER mach 5.*********

Having a guest editorial, more or less an oversized letter to the editor printed, does not justify classifying yourself as “published”.

And since I have never commented on hypersonic in any area you have referred to, this last comment makes as much sense as the rest of your rambling.

Reg S, rsaretsk(@)wmm.ca, 23.03.2009

From the Barry Fortier Website, unaltered.
http://members.allstream.net/~geminimp/jetliner.html

“>>>but it has come to light that the erstwhile first flight (a straightline "hop" down the runway), was not a flight after all, but merely the result of Comet G-5-1 hitting a bump on the runway during a taxi trial.
Fortunately, the pilot did not lose control of his machine, and no damage was done to the valuable prototype.
Unfortunately, the "bump" on the runway turned out to be Skippy, a local tree squirrel, and favourite of the local children. Sadly, Skippy did not survive the impact, and only recently have the children been able to come forward with their sad story…..”
Barry DUDE- never saw any of the Barrage of e- mails that you sent the Herald/CanWest . Hope this comforts you..

The above excerpt explains why you aren’t published- except on your uhhh-“site”.BTW- hypersonic is OVER mach 5.

Barry Fortier, geminiimp(@)hotmail.com, 21.03.2009

It would appear that Reg has decided that this is not a forum for aircraft, but a dumping ground for his hatred of anyone who dares to challenge him. So be it.

1.03.2009. Book reviews. Not debates. And not even for the same book. Rather odd, but reg, through and through.

2.03.2009. No, my website is not a blog, and you have gone to one page out of dozens... Anyone wanting accurate information about aircraft, and comparisons to the arrow, can go to my website. And from the homepage, go to pages that cover a large range of aircraft. But again, not a blog in sight. And your name was never on my site. And you (or anyone else) have not been emailed by me on the arrow or much else, for years now. I think I sent you 3 emails, after you degenerated into your usual name calling rants. (found one in my old email box, by the way.)

As for your 'editorial', merely an overblown letter to the editor from someone unfit to write on the subject. That was shredded by doug H.

4.03.2009. The wik is garbage, for most subjects. Even one of its founders has pronounced it broken beyond repair. Mainly thanks to people like reg. And Zuk is NOT a prime example of arrow knowledge, not even an entry level player. You wouldn't be able to comment on range, as you don't know anything about mission profiles.

And your fantasy world comments on the price of the Arrow.. perhaps is you quit trying to compare fly away costs with development and maintenance, you would come across as less foolish. You don't know enough about either machine, to comment on either cost.

r Saretsky, rsaretksy(@)live.ca, 04.03.2009

Note: half the cost was assumed by Canada taking over Norad / Dew line maintenance costs on our territory.

The cost per aircraft for the Arrow was the 650 million spent on the program to 1958,plus the two billion plus required from 1959 to 1964, divided by 169 ARROWS, OR FIFTEEN MILLION, SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND PER PLANE, eleven millon three hundred thousand in unsunk cost. According to the RCAF historial website, also quoted by Insinger, the TWO YEAR OLD Voodos cost ONE MILLION, FIVE HINDRED NINETY ONE THOUSAND PER PLANE, half of which was payable by offset, ie, Canada Staffed & maintained the eleven Radar stations on Canadian soil, previously staffed by Americans. Even after amortising the 116 million spent on the BOMARC ( 846,715.00) per CF101, Canada was miles ahead.

Great deal from a great ally. Thank you, USA!

Insingers seminal work. http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/arrow/thesis/thesis9.htm .

Reg Saretsky, rsaretsky(@)shaw.ca, 04.03.2009

If interestede, check the discussion pages on wikipedia- F101 Voodoo. Voodude& myself pretty musch pinned Bill Zuk, guru of the Arrowheads, on the issues of price, capabilities, etc., of the Arrow vrs the Voodoo.

Teh price per CF -101 Voodoo actually worked out to 1,598 ,000 each( typo on my part) or 796,000.00 each, including the ten two seat trainers. Documentation links are on the Voodoo discussion site- Worth a look.

r saretsky, rsaret(@)shaw.ca, 02.03.2009

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=c37b7b82-28af-4e36-8117-7a88599fe36a

FPI, here is the humble editorial that barry fortier , aka Mr Hypewrsonic, has been weeping over for twelve months....
enjoy.

r saretsky, rsaret(@)shaw.ca, 02.03.2009

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=c37b7b82-28af-4e36-8117-7a88599fe36a

FPI, here is the humble editorial that barry fortier , aka Mr Hypewrsonic, has been weeping over for twelve months....
enjoy.

r saretsky, rsaret(@)yc.ca, 02.03.2009

http://members.allstream.net/~geminimp/bbb.html

Hmmm- Mr fortiers' business, besides trolling the web, appears to consist of an on line blog called the ' Calgary Bitter Business Bureau"

His URL is above. Thank you, barry, for removing my name form your ,err, 'site". PleAse do not email me again. I am sure Canwest ,& the Calgary HErald, woudl also appreciate it if you email barrages stopped.

Reg Saretsky, rsaretsky2shaw.ca, 01.03.2009

I feel we all wish to keep this a ‘debate among gentlemen”. Quoting verbatim, from on of barry f’s on line debates.
:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Barry Fortier writes:
..love the little platform view of the CF-105 Avro Arrow, as an example of a design for a well over Mach 3 hypersonic machine…”
Then writes:
“Marek Zalewski, L. Barker, Linda Wilson, Green Guy, Fox in a Bo Regis P. Digiacomo "Engineer", heavy-duty reader "SRK", "snowfox89", and others who never read the book, and know less than nothing about the subject matter, THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! From the bottom of my heart, I THANK YOU, for encouraging me ….through your name calling, ignorance, and spite.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
‘Nuff said.

Barry,please do not email me...

Ray Tuggle, rgtuggle(@)embarq.com, 25.01.2009

I was a Voodoo medicine man at Grand Forks, N.D. from 1963 to 1966. Ever see one do a "gate climb"? Awesome!! Electronics were always broke but mechanically very sound.

Barry F, geminiimp(@)hotmail.com, 29.09.2008

Again, Reg S. HAS to put his foot in it, with his unshakable ignorance about aircraft, mission types, and pretty much anything else. As for the 101's range figure given, there were several versions of the 101.... different numbers of crew, different amounts of fuel, different missions. As for his sickening blather about the Arrow, he flatly refuses to understand that the figures for a high speed (supersonic) intercept, and a lower speed (subsonic) intercept or even economical cruise, would be rather different. He insists on comparing a high speed Arrow mission, NOT to the 101 at the same speed, but at a much lower speed, and concludes the Arrow was short ranged. Compare both machines for RADIUS at mach .8, mach 1.3, mach 1.5, and mach 1.8, and the Arrow wins on all counts. As for his babbling about comparative costs, he has been blown out of the water in the local newspaper on this point, but refuses to update his information on that point, as well. Unshakable dedication to a dead hack of a politician... How sad.

parry henis, suckmydick.com, 08.09.2008

hey hey. suck my balls

Jim Baker, jcbaker747(@)aol.com, 02.09.2008

I flew the F-101B with the 83rd, 84th and the 49th FIS's from 1961 to 1965. I then flew the F-101A and C which were converted to the RF-101G and H with the Arkansas Air National Guard. What a great airplane it was and with ANG maintance you never had any problems with it. Used to go cross country and do eight or ten legs with no write ups. Good range and with two 450 gsllon drop tanks it was even better. Very comfortable and even had a good autopilot

Joe Slowik, josephmslowik(@)aol.com, 26.07.2008

I was in both 101B & 102 outfits in the early to mid 60'S and the 102's were the only birds to carry AIM-26's. It would have cost to much to modify the armament door on the 101 to carry the '26. I was in the 49 FIS (Griffis AFB NY) and 4780 A&E Maint Sq (Perrin AFB Tex).

Barry A. Miller, jetfanmiller(@)cox.net, 20.05.2008

Has anybody ever heard of the F-101B interceptor version carrying anything other than AIM-4 Falcons & AIR-2A (MB-1) nuclear Genies on its rotating missile tray? One person claims it also carried the AIM-26A nuclear Falcons (I understood were only carried on modified F-102s)

Butch Owens, 09.05.2008

I was a Flight Chief at Dow AFB, Maine with F-101B Voodos 1966 - 1968.
One of the easier maintained century series fighters that I worked on. Held the record from take off roll to 40,000 feet for many years.

r Saretsky, rsaretsky(@)shaw.ca, 07.02.2008

An utterly superb aircraft. The range figure seems very high, is this perhaps the ferry distance, as range is out & back( Radius of action?
at 1.50 million each, the CF101 Voodoo was a bargain , compared to the 12 million plus ( 1958$) Avro arrow, with 300 mile radius of Action

Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?

Name    E-mail


COMPANY
PROFILE



All the World's Rotorcraft


Virtual Aircraft Museum


All rhe World's Rotorcraft AVIATION TOP 100 - www.avitop.com Avitop.com