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| Developed from the XF-88 penetration fighter, the F-101 originally was designed as a long-range bomber escort for the Strategic Air Command; however, when high-speed, high-altitude jet bombers such as the B-52 entered active service, escort fighters were not needed. Before production began, therefore, the F-101's design was changed to fill both tactical and air defense roles.
The F-101 made its first flight on Sept. 29, 1954. The first production F-101A became operational in May 1957, followed by the F-101C in September 1957 and the F-101B in January 1959. By the time F-101 production ended in March 1961, McDonnell had built 785 Voodoos including 480 F-101Bs, the two-seat, all-weather interceptor used by the Air Defense Command. In the reconnaissance versions, the Voodoo was the world's first supersonic photo-recon aircraft. These RF-101s were used widely for low-altitude photo coverage of missile sites during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and during the late 1960s in Southeast Asia. SPECIFICATIONS: Span: 39 ft. 8 in. Length: 71 ft. 1 in. Height: 18 ft. 0 in. Weight: 52,400 lbs. max. Armament: Two AIR-2A rockets plus two AIM-4 guided missiles Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55s of 16,900 lbs. thrust each (with afterburner) Crew: Two Cost: $1,819,000 PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed: 1,095 mph Cruising speed: 545 mph Range: 1,754 miles Service ceiling: 52,100 ft. |
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| Bibliography: National Museum of the USAF |