McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo
The F-101 Voodoo was originally built as an escort fighter for USAF strategic bombers. Unfortunately for the Voodoo, the jet bombers coming on the line for the USAF--the B-47, B-52, and B-58--didn't require escorts. The F-101 was a good aircraft without a mission. The USAF began building the F-101A as a low-level strike fighter, because if there was one thing the Voodoo had, it was high speed at all altitudes. This led the USAF to consider: would the F-101 make a good tactical reconnaissance aircraft?
In response, McDonnell rebuilt two of the YF-101A prototypes as RF-101A testbeds. This replaced the fighter nose with a more "chisel" design that contained six cameras instead of radar and cannon. The RF-101A turned out to be a superb reconnaissance aircraft, and entered production on a limited basis. Further variants were developed from later Voodoo versions, namely the purpose-built RF-101C, which entered service in 1958.
The RF-101 gave the USAF its first supersonic reconnaissance aircraft, and largely replaced the RF-84F Thunderflash and RT-33A Shooting Star. Pilots liked its speed and responsiveness; it was capable of genuine aerobatics in the hands of a good pilot. RF-101s would first be used by the Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan), either flown by ROCAF or CIA pilots, over the Chinese mainland; the USAF's first combat usage would be the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The RF-101's dash speed was such that it was tough to intercept, though not impossible.
This was found to be true over Vietnam as well, where the RF-101 was the backbone of USAF tactical reconnaissance until the later years of the war. The Voodoo's speed at altitude made it impervious to flak, and even the MiG-21 could not keep up with it. However, the RF-101s often had to get down low to "get the pictures," and that meant that barrage flak could bring down Voodoos. SAMs were also a threat at higher altitudes. After losses began to mount, the RF-101s were camouflaged, which helped some, but also slightly lowered their top speed. 39 RF-101s were lost over Vietnam.
With the age of the aircraft beginning to tell, the Voodoo was gradually relegated to second-line units, replaced by the RF-4C Phantom II. Some soldiered on in Air National Guard units, but all the RF-101s were gone by 1979. A handful remain in museums.
This aircraft, 56-0166, was originally delivered to the USAF's 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, in 1957. While assigned to the 363rd, it was one of two RF-101Cs to participate in Operation Sun Run, the USAF's successful attempt to capture the New York-Los Angeles speed record. In 1962, 0166 flew combat missions over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Shortly thereafter, it was transferred to the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, based at Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam, and flew missions around Southeast Asia.
Following its Vietnam service, 56-0166 was relegated to the 186th TRW (Mississippi ANG) until its retirement in 1979. Because of its unique service--Operation Sun Run, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam--0166 was flown to the National Museum of the USAF for display. It retained its USAF Southeast Asia camouflage, but was repainted with the AH tailcode of the 460th TRW.
Normally I complain about the lighting at the NMUSAF, but I think it actually makes this picture better: it adds an air of mystery to the RF-101. Note the bombs above my head and the rather large wing--that's the wing of the museum's B-52D!
McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo
The F-101 Voodoo was originally built as an escort fighter for USAF strategic bombers. Unfortunately for the Voodoo, the jet bombers coming on the line for the USAF--the B-47, B-52, and B-58--didn't require escorts. The F-101 was a good aircraft without a mission. The USAF began building the F-101A as a low-level strike fighter, because if there was one thing the Voodoo had, it was high speed at all altitudes. This led the USAF to consider: would the F-101 make a good tactical reconnaissance aircraft?
In response, McDonnell rebuilt two of the YF-101A prototypes as RF-101A testbeds. This replaced the fighter nose with a more "chisel" design that contained six cameras instead of radar and cannon. The RF-101A turned out to be a superb reconnaissance aircraft, and entered production on a limited basis. Further variants were developed from later Voodoo versions, namely the purpose-built RF-101C, which entered service in 1958.
The RF-101 gave the USAF its first supersonic reconnaissance aircraft, and largely replaced the RF-84F Thunderflash and RT-33A Shooting Star. Pilots liked its speed and responsiveness; it was capable of genuine aerobatics in the hands of a good pilot. RF-101s would first be used by the Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan), either flown by ROCAF or CIA pilots, over the Chinese mainland; the USAF's first combat usage would be the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The RF-101's dash speed was such that it was tough to intercept, though not impossible.
This was found to be true over Vietnam as well, where the RF-101 was the backbone of USAF tactical reconnaissance until the later years of the war. The Voodoo's speed at altitude made it impervious to flak, and even the MiG-21 could not keep up with it. However, the RF-101s often had to get down low to "get the pictures," and that meant that barrage flak could bring down Voodoos. SAMs were also a threat at higher altitudes. After losses began to mount, the RF-101s were camouflaged, which helped some, but also slightly lowered their top speed. 39 RF-101s were lost over Vietnam.
With the age of the aircraft beginning to tell, the Voodoo was gradually relegated to second-line units, replaced by the RF-4C Phantom II. Some soldiered on in Air National Guard units, but all the RF-101s were gone by 1979. A handful remain in museums.
This aircraft, 56-0166, was originally delivered to the USAF's 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, in 1957. While assigned to the 363rd, it was one of two RF-101Cs to participate in Operation Sun Run, the USAF's successful attempt to capture the New York-Los Angeles speed record. In 1962, 0166 flew combat missions over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Shortly thereafter, it was transferred to the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, based at Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam, and flew missions around Southeast Asia.
Following its Vietnam service, 56-0166 was relegated to the 186th TRW (Mississippi ANG) until its retirement in 1979. Because of its unique service--Operation Sun Run, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam--0166 was flown to the National Museum of the USAF for display. It retained its USAF Southeast Asia camouflage, but was repainted with the AH tailcode of the 460th TRW.
Normally I complain about the lighting at the NMUSAF, but I think it actually makes this picture better: it adds an air of mystery to the RF-101. Note the bombs above my head and the rather large wing--that's the wing of the museum's B-52D!