XF-88A and F-101A & C Voodoo (Gun-Armed Voodoos) — History, Performance, and Discussion

[Nostalgistic]

Place for discussion of the gun-armed Voodoos (XF-88A, F-101A, and F-101C), their flight performance, and ordnance.

With the F-101C-55-MC now confirmed via the teaser, let’s bring together and consolidate our sources to ensure that the in-game flight performance and ordnance accurately reflect the available historical documents.

XF-88A, F-101A, and F-101C Voodoo

Brief History

Brief History

The McDonnell F-101A and F-101C Voodoo were supersonic fighter-bombers designed in the early 1950s and produced by the American company McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. They were derived from the XF-88 Voodoo, which performed successfully during the USAF’s Penetration Fighter competition but was never placed into production. In total, 77 F-101As and 47 F-101Cs were produced.

The F-101A fighter-bomber could withstand only 6.33 g (62 m/s²) maneuvers rather than the intended 7.33 g (72 m/s²). To address this limitation, the F-101C was designed with a strengthened airframe that increased structural weight by approximately 500 lb (227 kg), allowing it to sustain 7.33-g maneuvers. It also incorporated a revised fuel system to increase maximum flight time while operating in afterburner.

Throughout their service from 1957 to 1966, the F-101A and F-101C served with the United States Air Force as nuclear-capable fighter-bombers intended to deliver tactical nuclear weapons deep into enemy territory. Although fully combat-capable, neither variant saw combat service, and both were eventually replaced by the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II by 1966. Following their withdrawal from frontline USAF service, many aircraft were transferred to Air National Guard units, where they remained in service until 1972. Several examples were later converted into reconnaissance aircraft, continuing to serve until 1979.

General Specifications

General Specifications

XF-88A

• To be added later

F-101A & F-101C

• Crew:
  • 1 (Pilot)
• Dimensions:
  • 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 J57-P-13 afterburning turbojet engines
• Fuel/Oil:
  • Internal Fuel: 2,476 US gal. (9373 L)
  • Oil: 6 US gal. (22.7 L)
• Avonics:
  • AN/APG-37 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
• Weapons:
  • 4 x 20mm M-39 cannon in the nose with 200 rounds per gun
  • 1 x special store (i.e., nuclear bomb)
  • 2 x 450 US-gal external drop tanks

F-101A Weights

• Empty: 25,374 lb (11,509 kg) (Actual)
• Design: 37,000 lb (16,783 kg)
• Max. Takeoff: 51,000 lb (23,133 kg)
• Capable of withstanding only 6.33 g (62 m/s²) maneuvers

F-101C Weights

• Empty: 26,277 lb (11,919 kg) (Estimated)
• Design: 37,000 lb (16,783 kg)
• Max. Takeoff: 51,000 lb (23,133 kg)
• Capable of withstanding only 7.33 g (72 m/s²) maneuvers

[tripod2008]

Relevant SACs

• F-101A_Voodoo_SAC_-_November_1962

• F-101C_Voodoo_SAC_-_2_September_1958

Of note should be the AN/APS-54 TRWS (Tail Radar Warning), similar to the MiG-19’s SPO-2 system, with a duplicated forward receiver

[TomLiu126]

@Nostalgistic

Capable of withstanding only 7.33 g (72 m/s²) maneuvers

The 1958 version of the F-101C SAC seems to state a L.F. of only 6.33 g

Also does anyone know what to make of the 1955 version of the F-101A SAC? It says some interesting things like there being 375 rpg that was temporarily limited to 200 rpg, and a L.F. of 7.33 g that was limited to 6.33 on 1st 115 F-101A aircraft…

[Master_Teaz]

so either 9.5G or 11G in game (1.5x multiplier)

Both are going to be enough for the majority of circumstances, i’d reckon you’d want to keep your speed in it and energy trap, and not outright dogfight like an F-100

[noister]

No missiles?

[tripod2008]

Outside of the AIR-2, Only on the -101B and even then only AIM-4 Falcons, which have significant issues currently due to lacking a proximity fuse and how Gaijin computes the Centroid of a target

missing target because they aim at empty space

[Ramonnoodleseuro]

I still want 101B anyway, it’s hella unique

[tripod2008]

I don’t disagree.

[Ramonnoodleseuro]

I don’t even think it’ll be that bad, it has increased performance, and the incredibly high wing loading worries me as to the capability of the A/C as gunfighters, something that becomes a little less of an issue with all-aspect missile engagement capability

[AydanL44_Hunter]

According to some sources the A was compatible with the missiles although it never used them operationally. The C though, idk

[Busheedoh]

Doesn’t it get AIM-4?

[Nostalgistic]

I suspect that is an oversight by the publishers. It was likely copied and pasted from the F-101A SAC. In the very same F-101C SAC, it states:

[Nostalgistic]

Operationally, only the F-101B could carry and fire AIM-4 Falcon missiles.

However, I discovered some time ago that the 19th pre-production YF-101A was photographed carrying three heat-seeking AIM-4 Falcon missiles (possibly mockups) alongside rockets while still retaining its guns.

Unfortunately, this configuration was abandoned, and the heat-seeking AIM-4 Falcon was never adopted operationally for the F-101A/C series.

[Nostalgistic]

With my sources ready to address the issues, I’ve collaborated with @Jadenbetter-live on preparing the bug reports and with @Master_Teaz on test flying. Here are the outstanding dev-server bug reports regarding the current state of the F-101C.

• F-101 G Loads
• F-101 Radar
• F-101 Radar Gunsight
• F-101 Horizontal Stab effectiveness
• F-101 Ripping flaps
• F-101 Braking too weak
• F-101 Arrestor Hook and drag chute about landing
• F-101 RWR missing bands
• F-101 Rudder Effectiveness
• F-101 Top speeds
• F-101 Missing external Fuel tanks
• F-101C bombs
• F-101C Engine power incorrect

[AydanL44_Hunter]

By the way, since the F-101A/C’s main/only purpose was nuclear strikes, what are the chances it could get the ability to be a nuclear carrier in the game?

[Nostalgistic]

Yes, the fighter-bomber with nuclear strike capability was the F-101A/C’s primary mission. I am positive it could have a place in a future Nuclear Thunder 2.0 event.

By the way, according to the manual, the F-101A/C could only use the Aero 7A bomb rack, which was intended for special stores in operational service.

I do not know much about this specific rack, but I wonder whether conventional bombs could theoretically be carried on it based on technical compatibility. I have read references stating that the F-101A/C could “theoretically carry conventional bombs, rockets, or Falcon air-to-air missiles.”

It might be worth looking into the conventional bomb inventory of the USAF and determining whether any of those weapons were compatible with the Aero 7A rack.

[Jadenbetter-live]

From some small digging it seems its the same rail as the A4 centres pylon which can carry triple 500s and sextuple 250s
As well as triple 1000s and some napalm etc etc

AD0787059.pdf

[Nostalgistic]

Interesting, I wonder whether the USAF and Navy AERO 7A rack models are identical or not. I have no doubts USAF and USN used the same bombs from the 1950-60s.

[Jadenbetter-live]

i cant seen to find an air force SAC that includes the rail name so thats best we have atm i think
Its all a bit of a stretch in the first place but no harm in trying

[Nostalgistic]

Not operationally, but a specially modified F-101C did carry and successfully test-fire a single AIM-9B Sidewinder. That said, I do not know how extensive the modifications to that particular aircraft were.

Pg.9-10, Voodoo (Modern Military Aircraft Series) by Lou Drendel, Paul Stevens (1985)

Pg. 100-101, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo (Osprey Air Combat) by Robert F. Dorr (1987)