McDonnell F-101A-1-MC Voodoo serial #53-2422 was the 5th Voodoo off the initial production line in early 1955. One of 77, F-101As produced. Affectionately called the "One-oh-Wonder", the F-101A's were used as jet-powered escort fighters. It was later given the designation JF-101A, the "J" prefix indicating a temporary change of configuration for test purposes. This Voodoo served as a test bed for various engines and configurations that were used in later F-101 Voodoos. Next it was used by the Astronaut Training School in the 1960's. It is noted to have been used by Mike Collins, Command Pilot of Apollo 11.

At the end of its career, the aircraft was towed out to the Precision Impact Range Area (PIRA) to be used as a radar target (offset and timing target) in 1979. A photo calibration target is located next to it, which is made of painted concrete with a series of white painted metal plates bolted to it. These targets are curious land-based two-dimensional optical artifacts used for the development of aerial photography and aircraft. The targets function like an eye chart at the optometrist, where the smallest group of bars that can be resolved marks the limit of the resolution for the optical instrument that is being used.

Aircraft's history provided by David Trojan.

This Google Earth image shows the F-101A in it's present location at Edwards AFB on the Precision Impact Range Area.

Approaching the F-101A. I've been interested in checking out this plane for a long time, happy that I got the chance to see it.

First good look at the F-101A. Was surprised to see that it wasn't standing on the landing gear.

When I was a kid, the F-101 Voodoo was one of my favorite airplanes. They looked fast, even when they are standing still.

Tail section. The large opening is for the missing speed brake.

One of the avionic bays.

Closer view shows the equipment racks and wire harnesses.

Another avionics bay forward of the cockpit

Air intake for one of the two Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets that powered the F-101A.

Looking into the intake, both engines have been removed.

The skin was removed from this wing tip exposing the internal structure.

Front view shows the thin wigs. These planes had a maximum speed of Mach 1.7 at 35,000 feet.

View of the other side.

An overall view.

Open avionic bays.

Front bay, guessing that the radar equipment was placed here.

Looks like through the years people removed panels. Also a lot of bullet holes and other damage.

A look into the rear bay, this one had wooden racks in it.

The emblem for the Air Force Flight Test Center. Ad Inexplorata translates as "Toward the Unexplored."

Air intake for the right engine.

The walkway on the right intake, the paint faded on the front section.

The right wing was missing the aileron and flap.

Marking on the wing.

Insignia on the bottom side of the right wing.

The speed brake on this side was also missing.

View from the rear.

Closer view of the tail. The stab's trailing edges are missing.

The Voodoo's serial number. Also in this photo is the emblem for the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School.

View from the rear.

This view reminds me of the F-4.

Looking back at the tail.

Closer view of the fin and stabilizer.

Left wing.

Dave on the Voodoo.

Dave sitting in the cockpit.

I handed Dave my camera and he took the next few photos. This is looking at the area where the instrument panel would have been mounted, the throttle lever can be seen on the left.

Closer view of the throttle, one of the levers is missing.

Looking back towards the tail, the top of the rails for the ejection seat can be seen.

Last look as we head out.

THE END