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.
56-0112 is displayed on the north side to the entrance to the tiny Gila Bend Airport, across the street from 56-0130. Calling the aircraft "brothers" would not be inaccurate: they have exactly the same history, flying with the same units throughout their USAF career. Like 56-0130, 56-0112 started with the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at RAF Upper Heyford, UK in 1965, before being transferred to the 363rd TRW at Shaw AFB, South Carolina in 1970, followed by a final and brief stint with the 188th TRG (Arkansas ANG) at Fort Smith before final retirement later that year. Both RF-101s were sent to MASDC for storage in 1976, and both were donated to the town of Gila Bend, Arizona soon thereafter. (As mentioned with 56-0130, why Gila Bend got two RF-101Cs is unknown, as to the best of my knowledge, the small USAF auxiliary field south of town never flew them.)
Both RF-101s are in decent condition--if their markings have faded over the years and they lack engines, they still retain their Southeast Asia camouflage, preserved by the Arizona dry heat (which was in effect the day I took the picture in June 2020--it was registering 106 degrees). Both aircraft can easily be seen from Arizona Highway 85.
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.
56-0112 is displayed on the north side to the entrance to the tiny Gila Bend Airport, across the street from 56-0130. Calling the aircraft "brothers" would not be inaccurate: they have exactly the same history, flying with the same units throughout their USAF career. Like 56-0130, 56-0112 started with the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at RAF Upper Heyford, UK in 1965, before being transferred to the 363rd TRW at Shaw AFB, South Carolina in 1970, followed by a final and brief stint with the 188th TRG (Arkansas ANG) at Fort Smith before final retirement later that year. Both RF-101s were sent to MASDC for storage in 1976, and both were donated to the town of Gila Bend, Arizona soon thereafter. (As mentioned with 56-0130, why Gila Bend got two RF-101Cs is unknown, as to the best of my knowledge, the small USAF auxiliary field south of town never flew them.)
Both RF-101s are in decent condition--if their markings have faded over the years and they lack engines, they still retain their Southeast Asia camouflage, preserved by the Arizona dry heat (which was in effect the day I took the picture in June 2020--it was registering 106 degrees). Both aircraft can easily be seen from Arizona Highway 85.