06 McDonnell RF-101A Voodoo (USAF)
In January 1953, The USAF approached McDonnell to develop an unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the F-101A as a replacement for the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash. While under construction, the 16th and 17th F-101A airframes (54-149 and 54-150) were set aside for conversion to unarmed photographic reconnaissance configuration under the designation YRF-101A. These aircraft retained the J57-P-13 engines of the fighter-bomber version but had a redesigned and longer nose housing four cameras designed for low-altitude photography. In addition, two high-altitude cameras were mounted behind the cockpit in place of the ammunition boxes of the fighter variant. The YRF-101A flew on 30 June 1955.
35 production versions were built under the designation RF-101A and became the USAF’s first supersonic photographic reconnaissance aircraft. The first RF-101A was delivered to the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) at Shaw AFB in South Carolina on 6 May 1957 as a replacement for the subsonic RF-84F. In this image, an RF-101A with the 17th TRS gets a shake-down flight. Note the revised needle-nose of the RF-101 variants and the camera housings along the bottom of the nose and fuselage.
06 McDonnell RF-101A Voodoo (USAF)
In January 1953, The USAF approached McDonnell to develop an unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the F-101A as a replacement for the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash. While under construction, the 16th and 17th F-101A airframes (54-149 and 54-150) were set aside for conversion to unarmed photographic reconnaissance configuration under the designation YRF-101A. These aircraft retained the J57-P-13 engines of the fighter-bomber version but had a redesigned and longer nose housing four cameras designed for low-altitude photography. In addition, two high-altitude cameras were mounted behind the cockpit in place of the ammunition boxes of the fighter variant. The YRF-101A flew on 30 June 1955.
35 production versions were built under the designation RF-101A and became the USAF’s first supersonic photographic reconnaissance aircraft. The first RF-101A was delivered to the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) at Shaw AFB in South Carolina on 6 May 1957 as a replacement for the subsonic RF-84F. In this image, an RF-101A with the 17th TRS gets a shake-down flight. Note the revised needle-nose of the RF-101 variants and the camera housings along the bottom of the nose and fuselage.