McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo – 409 (Nighthawk) Sqn, Canadian Armed Forces, CFB Comox, Canada, 1982.

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3715: McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo of 409 (Nighthawk) Sqn, Canadian Armed Forces, CFB Comox, Canada, 1982. Production run of 600 models.

Length 11.25 inches Wingspan 6.75 inches

409 Squadron was formed at RAF Digby in 1941. The unit was disbanded after WWII but re-established in 1954 at RCAF Comox British Columbia, providing air defence for NORAD’s west coast. Originally equipped with the CF-100 the new CF-101 arrived in 1962. Canada originally received 56 CF-101B’s with serials that began with 17. In 1970 and 1971 46 voodoos were traded for 56 modernized F-101Bs and 10 F-101Fs. The latest aircraft were assigned serials beginning with 10. Serial 101060 originally was 57-0433.

Designed to meed a USAAF requirement for a long-range turbojet powered fighter, the F-101 was first flown (as the XF-88 prototype) on October 20th, 1948. Its initial mission as bomber escort was modified during development to include that of all-weather interceptor, nuclear fighter-bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft. Reconnaissance variants saw extensive use during the Vietnam war while interceptors remained in service with several Air National Guard units until 1982. Ultimately, the Voodoo’s carreer was rather short-lived although it did help pave the way towards the highly successful F-4 Phantom II that replaced it.