McDonnell F-101B Voodoo – 62nd FIS, 56th FW, USAF, KI Sawyer AFB, MI, 1965

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3716: McDonnell F-101B Voodoo 62nd FIS, 56th FW, USAF, KI Sawyer AFB, MI, 1965. Production run of 500 models.

Length 11.25 inches Wingspan 6.75 inches

McDonnell F-101B-110-MC s/n 58-0308 C/N 680 served with the 62nd FIS/56th FW at K.I. Sawyer AFB between 1959 and April 1971. While at K.I. Sawyer the 62nd FIS earned several awards including “World Champions” at the 1965 William Tell Competition held at Tyndall AFB Florida, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1967-1969, the Air Force Flying Safety Award 1967 and the Air Defense Command “A” Award for “meritorious achievement” 1968. The aircraft on display at Sawyer actually is 58-0291 painted to look like 58-0308.

Designed to need 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 career was rather short-lived although it did help pave the way towards the highly successful F-4 Phantom II that replaced it.