This Day on Voodoo History (Read 3,866 times)

Very cool.  I do not have as much info on the Operation as I would like, so every little bit helps  Thank you!

June 9:

In 1949, the afterburning XJ34-WE-15 engine, providing a 40% increase in thrust, was ready and the XF-88A flew with it for the first time, mounted in the left engine bay. For the time being, the right bay retained the standard J34-WE-22 engine. After very satisfactory tests, the XF-88A was equipped with two afterburning engines and prepared for the upcoming “fly-off” against the Lockheed XF-90 and North American YF-93 to decide which manufacturer would earn the penetration fighter contract.

June 12:

In 1956, an F-101A participated in a proof test of one of its future weapons during the Flathead shot of Operation Redwing at Bikini Atoll. The device was a cobalt “salted” variant of the TX-28 hydrogen bomb, detonating with a force of 365 kilotons.

On the same date in 1961, the Canadian government signed an agreement for the transfer of late-production F-101B interceptors to the RCAF following the cancellation of the magnificent Avro Arrow interceptor, to be conducted under Operation Queen’s Row. The first two aircraft arrived within two weeks of the order.

In 1972, the last ANG RF-101A was delivered to the “Bone Yard” at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.

June 14:

In 1950, USAF Phase II tests of the improved XF-88A ended in preparation for the penetration fighter “fly-off.”

In 1956, an F-101A participated in testing of a miniaturized atomic warhead for air-to-air rockets during the Kickapoo shot of Operation Redwing. Crucial for evaluating the potential of an interceptor version of the VooDoo, the shot almost did not go off due to technical issues. Running low on fuel, Capt. John Apple landed his F-101 at Eniwetok Atoll and ground crews set to work to get it airborne twenty minutes later. Supersonic at 7,500 feet over the blast, the F-101A outran the expanding shock wave of the bomb. The test was a success, demonstrating both the potential of the F-101 as an interceptor as well the reliability of the basic aircraft.

Hi Pat,

Thank you! A little late but here is today's entry....

June 15:

In 1948, the second XP-88A prototype, with the new afterburning J34 engines, began a detailed “689” inspection by USAF officials.

In 1958, six RF-101s detached to CASF Bravo departed Shaw AFB for Incirlik AB, Turkey, to monitor developments in Lebanon as the Middle East was awash in a series of bloody coups in the aftermath of the 1956 Suez Crisis, inspired by the Arab Nationalist movement of Egypt’s Gamal Nasser. Fearing a communist-inspired rebellion, the situation in Lebanon turned out to be a sectarian rebellion against the Lebanese president. The situation was defused after elections, but the new Lebanese government then began to align with the Arab Nationalists, along with a number of regional allies.

In 1961, a program to modify the MG-13 fire control systems of all F-101B aircraft to the final Block 120 standard began under Project Kitty Car, increasing the detection range, ability to defeat jamming, and overall reliability of the system. Provision for the radar-guided GAR-1D was dropped, leaving only the heat-seeking GAR-2A Falcons and MB-1 Genies for armament.

Photo Credit: The Col. Ray W. Schrecengost Archives

Hi Mark,

I must have missed that thread, but this would be a great candidate for many reasons.  

This airplane, RF-101A 54-1515, was the personal airplane of 837th Air Division commander Brig. Gen, Stephen Mack, who was in command of both the 363rd TRW and 432nd TRW.  The aircraft carried combined tail markings signifying the two wings, as well as fuselage stripes for each squadron.

For many of the early deployments of the Voodoo, "41515" was the designated lead ship.  It was flown by Capt. Martin J. Bernard during Operation Mobile Zebra in 1957 and by Capt. Ray W. Schrecengost to Lebanon in 1958, just after he had been assigned to Operations for the 837th AD.  I don't know the ultimate fate of the aircraft but have no photos of it after its participation in Operation Blue Bat in 1958.