The F-101 was considered by some pilots to be the most difficult fighter to ever enter service, but it was considered a solid aircraft.
F-101s were originally designed as a long-range bomber escort for the Strategic Air Command. However, this function changed once more effective bombers like the B-52 entered service. As a result, the F-101B assumed the role as a tactical and air defense fighter. As a defense fighter, the US Air Force operated Voodoos out of Royal Air Force bases in England during the Cold War. Thanks to the F-101’s long range, high-speed, and ability to carry nuclear weapons, most Warsaw Pact countries were within range of the F-101s nuclear deterrence capability. Interestingly, the Voodoo also became one of the world’s first supersonic photo reconnaissance aircraft, used during major military events like the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Hill Air Force Base’s F-101 connection began in 1952 when the US Air Force designated the installation as the prime maintenance and supply depot for the Voodoo, a new weapon system then in development. Later, Hill personnel began contract support for this airframe. By 1968, the last Voodoo rolled off Hill’s depot maintenance line, marking the end of a significant workload that included more than 2,400 aircraft.
This F-101B on display rolled off the assembly line in 1959 and spent the next 33 years in use at different bases across the United States. In 1982, it retired from service, and then the Hill Aerospace Museum acquired it for display.
Serial Number: 57-0252
Manufacturer: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
Primary Function: Tactical Fighter-Bomber
Crew: Two
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55 turbojets; 16,900 pounds thrust each in afterburner
Wingspan: 39 feet 8 inches
Length: 67 feet 4 3/4 inches
Height: 18 feet
Weight: 28,970 pounds (empty); 52,400 pounds (maximum)
Speed: 770 mph (sea level); 1,095 mph, Mach 1.72 at 35,000 feet (maximum)
Range: 1,930 miles (maximum)
Service Ceiling: 51,000 feet
Armament: Two AIM-4 Falcon-guided missiles and two AIR-2A Genie rockets
Cost: $1,819,000 (approximate)
Years of Service: 1957 – 1972
In the 1950s, Hill Air Force Base was designated as the prime management site for maintenance, supply and contracts of the F-101 aircraft. The base worked on over 2,400 F-101 aircraft during this time. The F-101B on display was manufactured in 1959 and spent the next thirty-three years in use at different bases across the United States. In 1982, it was retired and Hill Aerospace Museum acquired it for display.
The F-101B was originally designed as a long-range bomber escort for Strategic Air Command in 1959. However, this mission changed, once more effective bombers like the B-52 entered service. Afterwards, the F-101B was redesigned to fill tactical and air defense roles, as well as low-altitude, photo reconnaissance of missile sites during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War.
The F-101 was considered by some pilots to be the most difficult fighter to ever enter service, but it was considered a solid aircraft.
A total of 807 Voodoos were built. The aircraft would go on to set a number of speed records as well as undergo a series of refits and adjustments to fit a variety of roles during her years of service.
McDonnell Aircraft Corporate produced the Voodoo at a cost of about $1.27 million per aircraft.
The F-101 first entered service in May 1957, finally being retired by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1984.