McDonnell Douglas F-101 Voodoo

Summary

Description

The F-101 Voodoo is derived from the U.S. Air Force penetration fighter competition after World War II. McDonnell won a contract in 1947 to develop prototypes of the XF-88 Voodoo. Initial tests revealed disappointing performance, but afterburners were added, improving speed and climb rate. The XF-88 outperformed its competitors in a takeoff competition, but the program was discontinued due to shifting priorities and budget constraints. However, during the Korean War, the need for bomber escorts became evident, leading to a new requirement for bomber escort. McDonnell's redesigned and more powerful version of the XF-88, designated the F-101 Voodoo, was selected in 1951.

The aircraft underwent significant changes in its design, including a larger size, increased fuel capacity, and more powerful engines. Modifications were made to the engine compartments and air intakes to accommodate the larger Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines and improve airflow efficiency. Moving the horizontal tail to the top of the vertical stabilizer, creating the iconic "T-tail," aimed to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and address issues identified during testing. The mission of the F-101 changed in late 1952 to encompass both bomber escort and nuclear weapon delivery.

The first production F-101A made its inaugural flight in September 1954, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 at 35,000 feet. The Strategic Air Command (SAC) withdrew from the F-101 program due to the end of the Korean War and the emergence of the B-52 Stratofortress, eliminating the need for escorts. However, the Tactical Air Command (TAC) expressed interest in the F-101, and it was reconfigured as a fighter-bomber. Numerous modifications were made to adapt the F-101 to its new role, including the addition of air-to-ground communication capabilities, external stores provisions, and structural reinforcement. F-101 testing resumed in 1955, with various issues identified and mostly resolved, such as problems with the autopilot, hydraulics, sighting system, and control system. However, the aircraft still tended to pitch up severely at high angles of attack. Despite this, the USAF implemented an active inhibitor system to mitigate this issue. Over 2,300 improvements were made to the F-101 between 1955 and 1956, leading to full-rate production starting in November 1956.

A total of 807 F-101 Voodoo aircraft were produced. The different versions of the F-101 include:

1. F-101A: Initial version, 77 aircraft built.
2. F-101B: Two-seat interceptor, 480 aircraft built.
3. TF-101B/F: Two-seat variant with dual controls, 79 aircraft.
4. F-101C: Version with reinforced structures for high-speed, low-altitude flight, 47 aircraft.
5. RF-101C: Reconnaissance variant derived from the F-101C.

The F-101 Voodoo was used by the following countries:

• United States: The United States Air Force (USAF) operated the F-101 in various versions.
• Canada: The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) used the CF-101B/F variants.
• Taiwan: Taiwan secretly received RF-101A aircraft for reconnaissance missions over China.
• Other countries may have used the F-101 through foreign military sales or other arrangements, but specific details are not mentioned in the provided information.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

No country is operating the F-101 Voodoo in 2024.

All operators

Canada • Taiwan • United States

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Air Short-Range AIM-4 Falcon

Photo of F-101 Voodoo