✈️ Aircraft Specifications
| Designation | F-101B |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Aircraft |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| First Flight | 1954 |
| Length | 20.55 m (67.4 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 1.72 |
| Max Speed (km/h) | 1,943 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 16,705 m (54,809 ft) |
| Range | 2,494 km (1,549 mi) |
| Engine | 2× Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55 afterburning turbojets |
| Crew | 2 |
| Status | Retired |
Overview
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter that served in the United States Air Force. Originally designed as a long-range escort fighter for Strategic Air Command bombers, it evolved into several variants including nuclear-armed fighter-bomber, photo-reconnaissance, and interceptor roles.
Design & Development
Developed from the XF-88 Voodoo prototype, the F-101 featured a swept wing design and was one of the first USAF aircraft to exceed 1,000 mph. The aircraft’s large size was necessary to accommodate the range requirements of its original escort mission. It used the powerful J57 engines and featured a distinctive high-mounted tailplane to avoid the jet exhaust.
Operational History
The F-101 entered service in 1957 and served in several roles. The F-101A/C variants were tactical fighter-bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The RF-101 became one of the most important reconnaissance platforms of the Cold War, flying critical missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The F-101B interceptor variant served with Air Defense Command and the Canadian Armed Forces (as the CF-101) until the 1980s.
Capabilities
- Top speed of Mach 1.72 at altitude
- Combat radius of 764 km in fighter-bomber role
- Nuclear weapon delivery capability
- All-weather interception capability (F-101B)
- Hughes MG-13 fire control system
Armament & Weapons
- F-101A/C: 3× internal nuclear weapons or conventional bombs
- F-101B: 2× AIR-2 Genie nuclear air-to-air rockets, 2× AIM-4 Falcon missiles
- All variants: No internal gun
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast was the F-101 Voodoo?
The F-101 could reach Mach 1.72 (1,134 mph / 1,825 km/h), making it one of the fastest fighters of the 1950s.
What was the F-101 used for?
It served as a nuclear fighter-bomber, photo-reconnaissance aircraft, and all-weather interceptor.
Did Canada use the F-101?
Yes, the Royal Canadian Air Force operated the CF-101B Voodoo from 1961 to 1984 as their primary interceptor.