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Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the McDonnell F-101C Voodoo for US aviation in War Thunder. Introduced in 1957, the F-101C was an enhanced version of the F-101A, introducing a strengthened and heavier airframe capable of withstanding 7.33G compared to the 6.33G of its predecessor. It also got revised fuel systems that extended its afterburner duration in flight. Like the F-101A, the F-101C was produced in limited numbers and served primarily as a fighter bomber with nuclear strike capability before its withdrawal in 1966. This variant embodies the USAF’s lesser-known advancements in fighter-bomber design during the early Cold War era.
Key Characteristics
- Jet fighter-bomber
- Strengthened 7.33G airframe to withstand in high-G maneuvers
- Extended afterburner duration
- Four 20-mm M39 cannons
- Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-13 afterburning turbojet engines
History
BackgroundThe F-101A Voodoo was developed by McDonnell as a supersonic jet fighter in response to the US Air Force’s need for a long-range bomber escort for the Strategic Air Command. It later evolved into a nuclear-armed fighter-bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft for the Tactical Air Command (TAC). The F-101A took its first flight on September 29, 1954, and it entered service with the TAC on May 2, 1957. A total of 77 F-101As were manufactured, but only 50 were operational. The aircraft faced numerous issues, including engine malfunctions, armament reliability, and aerodynamic and structural challenges. Although the F-101A was originally designed for a 7.33G airframe, its weakened structure limited it to a maximum of 6.33G during high-stress maneuvers, restricting its use in low-altitude tactical strike operations. Consequently, TAC officials sought an improved version of the Voodoo to meet the 7.33G requirement.
Enter the F-101C – An Improved Fighter-BomberIn 1957, McDonnell responded to these challenges by introducing the improved F-101C model. The F-101C featured a reinforced internal structure that increased its weight by 500 pounds (227 kilograms) to withstand the 7.33G load. Most of this structural enhancement was applied to the wings, reducing the risk of wing failure during tighter maneuvers. Although it retained the same powerplant as the F-101A, the F-101C incorporated an upgraded fuel system with new pumps and feed controls, extending afterburner flight time from 6 minutes to 15 minutes. Enhanced cooling scoops in the tail also helped prevent overheating, ensuring reliable operation of the afterburner. Armament-wise, the F-101C carried four M-39 cannons, which were aimed using a K-19 gunsight, though one cannon could be replaced with navigation equipment for improved navigation functionality.
In ServiceThe first F-101C made its maiden flight on August 21, 1957. Only 47 F-101Cs were produced and delivered to the US Air Force, replacing the F-101As. Deliveries began in September 1957 and concluded in June 1958. An additional 96 aircraft were originally ordered as F-101Cs but were ultimately completed as RF-101Cs, as the USAF no longer required more Voodoos in the fighter-bomber role.
While three wings of Voodoo fighter-bombers were planned, the number of aircraft was insufficient to fully equip them. Initially, F-101Cs were assigned to the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1957. In 1958, these aircraft transferred to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, operating across three squadrons stationed in Europe. The F-101Cs of the 81st TFW served as a nuclear deterrent force, capable of delivering nuclear strikes against targets located up to 500 miles (800 km) deep within the Soviet Union.
Alongside the F-101As, the F-101Cs never saw combat and were gradually phased out of USAF service starting in 1966, with the F-4C Phantom IIs taking their place. Thirty-two F-101Cs were converted into RF-101Cs for unarmed reconnaissance roles, and these served during the Vietnam War until 1970-1972, becoming the only variant of the Voodoo to see combat. The last RF-101C was retired from the USAF Air National Guard in 1979.
Specifications
McDonnell F-101C VoodooGeneral Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 67 ft 4.8 in (20.54 m)
- Height: 18 ft (5.49 m)
- Span: 39 ft 8.4 in (12.1 m)
- Wing Area: 368 sq ft (34.19 sq m)
- Powerplant: 2 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-13 afterburning turbojet engines
→ 30,000 lbf thrust (133.4 kN)- Internal Fuel: 2,476 US gal. (9373 L)
- Oil Tankage: 6 US gal. (22.7 L)
- Empty Weight: 26,277 lb (11,919 kg)
- Gross Weight: 40,429 lb (18,338 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 51,000 lb (23,133 kg)
Engine Ratings
Maximum (With afterburner operating)
→ 15,000 lbf @ 6,150/9,900 rpm @ 5 mins limit (15 mins limit with upgraded fuel system)Military
→ 10,200 lbf @ 6,150/9,900 rpm @ 30 mins limitNormal
→ 8,700 lbf @ 5,900/9,650 rpm @ ContinuousPerformance
- Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: 0.74
- Combat Speed: 985 mph @ 35,600 ft (1,585 km/h @ 10,851 m)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 1,003 mph @ 35,000 ft (1,615 km/h @ 10,668 m)
- Stall Speed: 200 mph (322 km/h)
- Wing Loading: 109.9 lb/sq ft (536.3 kg/sq m)
- Takeoff Distance: 3,500 ft (1,067 m)
- Rate of Climb: 32,900 fpm (167.1 m/s)
- Time to Altitude:
- 3.28 mins to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- 5.60 mins to 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
- Service Ceiling: 48,700 ft (14,844 m)
- Combat Radius: 604 miles (972 km)
- Combat Range: 2,123 miles (3,417 km)
Armament
- Avionics:
- AN/APG-37 Search Radar
- AN/APS-54 Radar Warning Receiver
- AN/ASN-6 Ground Position Indicator
- K-19 Sight System
- M-1 Toss Bomb System
- MA-2 Low Altitude Bombing System
- MA-7 Fire Control System
- With Radar Drift Computer
- Guns:
- 4 x 20-mm M39 cannons (200 rpg; 800 rounds)
- Bombs:
- 1 x Mark 7 Nuclear Bomb
- 1 x Mark 28 Nuclear Bomb
- Drop Tanks:
- 2 x 450-gal drop tanks
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
The F-101C variant represented a significant upgrade over the F-101A, featuring a reinforced airframe and an improved fuel system. Although primarily a gun-only fighter, it served as a crucial nuclear strike deterrent in Europe against potential Soviet threats during its brief operational tenure before being replaced by the F-4C Phantom II. Unfortunately, the F-101C remains one of the most overlooked fighters of the Century Series during the Cold War. In contrast, the F-101B, with its interceptor roles, and other F-101 variants in reconnaissance missions have garnered more attention in military aviation history. I believe the F-101C would make a valuable addition to War Thunder, addressing the neglected Cold War aircraft content. The F-101C would be a highly appreciated jet fighter, allowing players to engage in aggressive high-G maneuvers, thanks to its strengthened airframe and extended afterburner duration for longer loitering capabilities.
See Also
- F-101C Voodoo Standard Aircraft Characteristics (2 September 1958)
- Modern Military Aircraft: Voodoo (1985)
- F-101 Voodoo in Detail & Scale Vol. 21 (1986)
- McDonnell F-101 Voodoo (1987)
- McDonnell F-101A Voodoo
- McDonnell F-101C Voodoo
- McDonnell F-101 Voodoo - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
