The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic fighter that served as an interceptor, reconnaissance platform, and nuclear strike aircraft throughout the Cold War.

Gallery:

Features:

• Armament: 2x GAR-1 Falcon, 2x GAR-2 Falcon, 2x 450 gallon drop tank
• Camouflage: ADC Gray
• Recreated with blueprints
• Fairly realistic performance
• A cockpit that should be VR compatible

Nonstandard Controls:

• AG 1 and Yaw: Nose Steering
• AG 2: Air Brake
• AG 3: Drogue Chute
• AG 4: Jettison Tanks
• AG 5: Rotate Weapon Pallet
• Throttle>95% for Afterburner
• VTOL for flaps
• Trim for trim

Notes:

• Thanks @ChiChiWerx for the USAF roundels
• In 1962 the GAR-1 and GAR-2 were redesignated AIM-4 (notice the lack of a letter suffix) and AIM-4B respectively. Given the strange choice to omit a letter from the GAR-1’s new name, I’m using the old names to avoid confusion. It is one of the earliest missiles, really only practical against non-maneuvering, large targets like bombers.
• The Falcon is available in two variants here: GAR-1 and GAR-2. The GAR-1 is semi-active radar-homing, meaning that you have to keep the target in the circle to guide the missile, but it has a longer range. The GAR-2 is infrared-guided, meaning it is fire-and-forget but has a shorter range.
• Fire external missiles first before firing any others!

Background:

Born out of a requirement for a new long-range escort fighter for a new generation of strategic bombers, the Voodoo had a circuitous development cycle. The XF-88 Voodoo was McDonnell’s entry for the new escort fighter, and it was chosen over its competitors. However, the perceived threat of Soviet nuclear bombers prompted a shift in priority from escort fighters to interceptors and interest greatly diminished. But the Korean war illustrated the need for an escort fighter, and the aircraft was redesigned and revived as the F-101A Voodoo. Soon afterward, the nuclear delivery mission was also assigned to the project and the Voodoo would have to serve in both that role and as an escort fighter. But newer bombers didn’t require escort, and that mission profile was dropped. This left the utility of the Voodoo, as a fighter able only to deliver tactical nuclear weapons, in question. The F-101A would be produced in only small numbers, though upgrades and reconnaissance models would be procured as well.

Reconnaissance Voodoos would be the only type to ever see combat, flying over Vietnam, Cuba, and China. 283 reconnaissance Voodoos were made or converted, making them the second most produced type.

Meanwhile, the 1954 interceptor project was facing delays and difficulties, and an interim supersonic interceptor was needed. In a strange twist of fate, it was decided to modify the Voodoo into an interceptor, the need for which had originally doomed the program. This new F-101B Voodoo had an advanced radar, a second crew member to operate it, and more powerful engines. The cannons were deleted and an all-missile armament was used instead. A mix of infrared and radar-guided Falcon missiles was carried, fired in salvos to maximize chances of a hit. The missiles were carried on an innovative rotary pallet system to reduce drag. The Voodoo’s high top speed of Mach 1.7 helped it earn the nickname “One-oh-Wonder”, derived from its F-101 designation. 479 interceptor Voodoos would be built in all.

Entering service with Air Defense Command in 1959, the new Voodoo interceptor was out of frontline service by 1971 and never saw combat in this role. The Voodoo was also exported to Canada as the CF-101 as a substitute for the canceled CF-105 Arrow, and served into the 1980s. A number of F-101s survive today in museums.