The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo (nicknamed One-oh-Wonder") first flew in September 1954
with the first production F-101A making its first operational flight in May 1957. In September
1957 the F-101C became operational followed by the F-101B in January 1959. When
production ended 807 Voodoos had been created, 480 of them were the two-seat all-
weather interceptor F-101Bs. The RF-101 reconnaissance version was the world’s first
supersonic photo-recon aircraft. The only major foreign operator of the Voodoo was the
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) that acquired 56 CF-101B and 10 CF-101F.

From 1970 to 1972 fifty six of Canada’s original CF-101s were sent back to the USAF to be
replaced by sixty six Voodoos with lower air time. Most of the aircraft were scrapped but
twenty two were converted to RF-101Bs reconnaissance variants. The modification
consisted of removing most of the rear cockpit controls, removing the armament and fire
control systems in the nose and replacing them with special photography cameras and tv
cameras in a new modified nose. The weapons bay was also emptied and filled with more
cameras. Some aircraft received an enclosed in-flight refueling probe in front of the cockpit
as well as an air-refueling receptacle behind the rear cockpit. When the modifications were
completed the aircraft were sent to the Nevada ANG 192 TRS in Reno, Nevada. These
aircraft were found to be too expensive to operate and replaced by RF-4Cs in 1975. This
particular aircraft ended up going to the scrap yard in January 1980.

Specification for the RF-101B
Aircraft Modified – 22
Dimensions
Length – 67 ft 5 ins
Wingspan – 39 ft 8 ins
Height – 18 ft
Wing Area – 368 sq. ft

Performance
Engines – 2 X Pratt & Whitney J-75-P-55 turbojets producing 11,900 lb.s.t. dry or 16,900 lb.
s.t with afterburners
Fuel
Maximum Internal – 5 X internal fuel cells containing 2,053 US gallons
Maximum External – 2 X 450 US gallon drop tanks under fuselage
Total Maximum Fuel – 2,953 US gallons
Maximum Speed – 1,134 mph @ 35,000 ft (Mach 1.72)
Initial Climb Rate – 49,200 ft/min
Service Ceiling – 58,400 ft
Combat Ceiling – 51,000 ft
Normal Range – 1,520 miles
Maximum Range – 1,930 miles

Weights
Empty – 28,970 lbs
Gross – 45,664 lbs
Combat – 40,853 lbs
Maximum Takeoff – 52,400 lbs

Armament - 0

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