 Last week's plane, the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was an all-weather, supersonic, fighter interceptor for the USAF and RCAF. Originally designed as a penetration fighter to escort B-36 bombers, it was no longer required when the B-36s were replaced by B-52s. It was then adapted to a multi-purpose interceptor/fighter bomber, as well as a photo reconnaissance variant that was instrumental in the Cuban Missile Crisis and used extensively in Vietnam.
The all missile armament, of "Falcon" air-to-air and "Genie" nuclear missiles, was carried internally, and used the MA-7 fire control system, which utilized an automatic search and track mode, as well as an MA-2 Low Altitude Bombing System.
The "One-oh-Wonder", as it was known, first flew on September 29, 1954, and hit Mach 0.9 at 35,000 ft and a max. test speed of Mach 1.4. It set numerous speed records including a JF-101A that set a world speed record of 1,207 mph on December 12, 1957. Also, an RF-101C set the LA-NY-LA round trip record at 6 hours and 48 minutes, and the one way LA-NY record at 3 hours and 7 minutes. With a fully loaded weight of 45,000 lbs, and the combined thrust of 34,000 lbs from the two J-57s, this was the closest to a 1:1 (Thrust/weight) ratio plane the US ever developed prior to the F-4.
Before it's slow withdrawal starting in 1966, giving way to the F-4, it was eventually produced in 19 different variants. Everything from the initial fighter bomber to a two-seat interceptor, a dual control trainer and numerous recon versions. The RF-101C saw heavy service in Vietnam, it's sheer speed made it immune to MiG interception, but the majority of losses were to recon versions that were shot down by SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles). Unfortunately, the ECM (Electronic Countermeasure) pods required to avoid the SAMs, created enough drag to the airframe to slow it down to the point were it was now approachable by the MiGs. This led to the development of the F-4.
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Today in Aviation History :
July 30, 1935... Lieutenant Frank Akers of the U.S. Navy becomes the first person to make a "blind" landing at sea. His biplane has a hooded cockpit allowing him to see only his controls and instruments. He lands on the USS Langley.
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Aviation Weather Links
www.nws.noaa.gov/
www.noaa.gov/wx.html
http://maps.avnwx.com/
www.usairnet.com/weather/
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