McDonnell F-101 Voodoo

The McDonnell F‑101 Voodoo, a twin‑engine, supersonic jet developed by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, entered service with the United States Air Force in 1957. Originally conceived as a long‑range escort fighter for the Boeing B‑52 bomber, the Voodoo evolved through several variants, serving as a fighter‑interceptor, reconnaissance platform, and tactical bomber. Its sleek, shoulder‑wing design housed two powerful Pratt and Whitney J57 turbo‑jets, delivering thrust of up to 16,000 lbf each and enabling a top speed of Mach 1.72. The aircraft featured a pressurized cockpit, advanced electronics for its era, and later models received radar‑guided AIM‑9 Sidewinder missiles and a nuclear‑capable bombing system. The RF‑101C and RF‑101H versions performed vital photo‑reconnaissance missions over Vietnam, gathering intelligence that shaped US strategy. Though the Voodoo was soon eclipsed by more modern fighters, its service demonstrated the transition from prop‑driven designs to high‑performance jet interceptors, influencing later McDonnell‑Douglas projects such as the F‑4 Phantom. Today, the F‑101 remains a symbol of Cold‑War ingenuity and a milestone in the development of supersonic, multi‑role combat aircraft. A total of 1,247 Voodoos were built before production ended in 1961, and the type was finally retired from US service in 1979, leaving a legacy celebrated in museums worldwide.

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation

McDonnell F-101 Voodoo

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