Subject: Number 101 in the Series--McDonnell F-101 Voodoo (4 of 10)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 22 Nov 93 17:17:36 GMT

>From [email-masked]

In 1959, the Canadian government cancelled work on the Avro CF-105 
Arrow advanced Mach-3 all weather interceptor, opting instead for a 
surface-to-air missile defense based on the IM-99 Bomarc long-range 
missile.  It soon became apparent that the cancellation of the Arrow 
project was a mistake, and that Canada would need a manned long-range 
all-weather interceptor capable of supersonic performance.  In order 
to fill in the void left by the cancellation of the Arrow, the 
Canadian government decided to adopt the F-101B Voodoo.  

A first batch of 56 F-101Bs was delivered to the Royal Canadian Air 
Force (later renamed the Canadian Armed Forces) between July of 1961 
and May of 1962.  The first batch of Canadian Voodoos included 25 
F-101B-115-MCs (serials 59-391/392, 294/399, 401/406, 408/411, 433/436 
and 438/440) and 31 F-10B-120-MCs (serials 59-441/442, 444/448, 
450/453, 455/487, 459, 461, 463, 464, 467/471, 475/477 and 479/483).  
In Canadian service, they were designated CF-101B.  

In addition, Canada also received ten F-101F two-seat operational 
trainers.  These included four F-101F-116-MCs (59-393, 400, 407, and 
437) and six F-101F-121-MCs (59-443, 449, 454, 460, 466, 472, and 478) 
These were virtually identical to the F-101B interceptor, and were 
fully combat-capable.  In Canadian service, they were designated 
CF-101F.  

In Canadian service, these CF-101Bs and Fs were assigned Canadian 
serial numbers using the last three digits of their USAF serials 
prefixed by the number 17 (for example 59-391 became 17391).  

The first 45 CF-101Bs and CF-101Fs entered service on November 13, 
1961 when No. 410 Squadron based at Ottawa began conversion to the 
type.  Other RCAF squadrons to acquire the Voodoo were No. 409 
Squadron (Comox, British Columbia), No 414 Squadron (North Bay, 
Ontario), No. 416 Squadron (Bagotville, Quebec) and No. 425 Squadron 
(Chatham, New Brunswick).  

In 1970-71, the 46 surviving CF-101Bs and CF-101Fs from the initial 
batch delivered to Canada were traded to the USAF for 56 refurbished 
and modernized F-101B interceptors and ten new F-101F operational 
trainers under Operation *Peach Wings*.  These ex-USAF Voodoos were 
from earlier production batches, but had been upgraded with infrared 
sensors and improved fire control systems as part of Project *Bold 
Journey*.  In Canadian service, this new batch of 66 Voodoos were 
assigned consecutive serial numbers in the 101001 to 101066 range, 
with the ten CF-101Fs being given the numbers 101001/101007, 101022, 
101024 and 101052.  These modernized Voodoos remained in service with 
Nos.  409, 410, 416, and 425 Squadrons until replaced by McDonnell 
CF-18A/Bs in the early 1980s.  

Two Canadian Voodoos were equipped as specialized electronic 
countermeasures aircraft and used as ECM aggressor aircraft in 
training.  One was an ex-Canadian Armed Forces CF-101F (serial number 
101006), whereas the other was an ex-USAF F-101B which had been 
specially purchased in 1982 and given the Canadian serial number 
101067.  These two aircraft were given the unofficial designation 
EF-101B in Canadian service.  

The last CF-101B left Canadian Armed Forces service in 1985.  The two 
EF-101B (101006 and 101067) agressor training aircraft serving with 
No.  414 Squadron lasted a little while longer, and were retired in 
1986, finally bringing the era of the Voodoo to a close.  

Sources:

  McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume II, Rene J.
  Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1990.

  United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
  Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

  The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

  Fighters of the United States Air Force, Robert F. Dorr and
  David Donald, Temple Press Aerospace, 1990.

  American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday,
  1982.

  Post-World War II Fighters, 1945-1973, Marcelle Size Knaack,
  Office of Air Force History, 1986. 

Joe Baugher		AT&T Bell Laboratories   	
2000 North Naperville Road      Naperville, Illinois 60566-7033