RF-101 Voodoo Units in Combat

Description

McDonnell's F-101 Voodoo series was in many ways the most interesting of the 'Century Series' fighter programmes of the 1950s, partly because the type's design and intended mission changed radically during a 40-year career. Originally designed as a fighter-bomber, it was converted to be a reconnaissance aircraft, serving alongside the U-2 and RF-8 Crusaders during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Although it gained a reputation as a difficult aircraft to handle, the jet's supersonic speed and newly-developed camera suite enabled it to conduct vital low-altitude photo-reconnaissance missions over heavily-defended target areas. In combat, the RF 101 was usually 'first in-last out' for strike missions. This made it a ready target, with a solo aircraft flying straight and level to gather target photo evidence at low-altitude offering enemy gunners plenty of opportunity to shoot the Voodoo down. This study tells the combat stories of this extraordinary aircraft, highlighting the difficulty of the missions on which it was sent and the courage of its pilots.

Peter E Davies has published more than 30 books concentrating on modern combat aircraft and the Vietnam War. He has written 26 previous Osprey titles and co-authored two others, several of them concerning the Voodoo's successor, the F-4 Phantom II. His books invariably contain extensive, original first-hand input from personnel involved with the relevant aircraft and operations. His specialism in tactical air operations in the Vietnam War has given him an extensive database of knowledge in this area of aviation history, although in recent years he has also ventured into other topics for Osprey's X-Planes and Duels series. He lives in Bristol, UK. Jim Laurier is a native of New England, growing up in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and throughout his life he has worked in many mediums creating artwork on a variety of subjects. He has worked on the Osprey Aviation list since 2000 and in that time he has produced some of the finest artwork seen in these volumes. He has specialised in aircraft of the Vietnam War period. He lives in Keene, New Hampshire, USA.