F-101 Voodoo

Background

Initial design work on what would eventually become the Voodoo began just after WW II, in response to a contract by the newly formed USAF for a long-range high performance fighter to escort bombers, much as the P-51 had in WWII. Designated the XF-88, a prototype first flew from Muroc on October 20, 1948. The military rejected the need for bomber escort, but experience over Korea indicated that the current bombers were vulnerable to fighter interception. In 1951 the USAF issued a requirement for an escort and designs from all the major manufacturers were submitted. The McDonnell design was a larger and higher powered version of the XF-88, and won the bid in May 1951. The F-88 was redesignated the F-101 Voodoo in November 1951.

Related Topics:
WW II - USAF - P-51 - Muroc - October 20 - 1948 - Korea - 1951

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Design work was relatively simple, as the only major change from the initial specification was to change the Westinghouse turbojets for a much more powerful Pratt & Whitney design. The new engines required certain changes to the intakes and a lengthened fuselage to triple the fuel load. The design was approved, and an order for 39 F-101As was placed in May 1953, without any prototype stage.

Related Topics:
Westinghouse - Turbojets - Pratt & Whitney - 1953

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The first flight of the F-101A was on September 29, 1954. The end of the war in Korea and the development of the B-52 negated the need for fighter escort and Strategic Air Command withdrew from the program.

Related Topics:
September 29 - 1954 - B-52 - Strategic Air Command

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