F-101B “Voodoo”

Designed to serve with the Strategic Air Command as a long-range escort and “penetration” fighter, the F-101 was developed subsequently for both tactical and air defense roles. At the time of its introduction into service, it was the heaviest single-seat fighter ever accepted by the USAF. McDonnell engineers began design studies of a penetration fighter in 1945, and detailed design work started in June 1946. Two prototypes of this design were built as the XF-88 and XF-88A, flight trials started on October 20, 1948, but a change in tactical requirements and a shortage of funds led to the cancellation of the project in 1950.  

In 1951, a new USAF requirement for a long-range fighter to serve with SAC as a B-36 escort led to a revision of the original XF-88 design. With an additional fuselage bay for extra fuel and J57 turbojets in place of J34s, it was designated as the F-101.  

The Museum’s F-101 was accepted by the USAF on November 30, 1960.