McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo

For information about the F-101 Voodoo outside of Canada, see F-101

After the cancellation of the CF-105 Arrow project in February 1959, the Canadian Minister of Defence publicly maintained that the existing Avro CF-100 interceptors and the Bomarc missiles that had been ordered in September 1958 would be adequate for Canada’s air defense needs. Off the record, it was recognized that there was still a bomber threat, and discussions had been underway since before the formal conclusion of the Arrow program concerning the RCAF acquiring an "off the shelf" interceptor from the United States. The USAF indicated that it was prepared to make 66 F-101s available (by employing Convair F-102s in less demanding NORAD sectors) for Canadian purchase. The deal was delayed for over a year by negotiations on costs and offsets of the acquisition, as well as debate within the Diefenbaker government about Canada adopting nuclear weapons systems (which had been agreed to in principle back in 1958). The financial arrangements were sorted out by Canada taking over the staffing and funding of 11 Pinetree Line radar stations within Canada that had formerly been operated and funded by the USAF.

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CF-101 Voodoo 101009 launching a nuclear-armed AIR-2 Genie rocket

A detailed agreement signed in June 1961 covered the transfer of the aircraft, to equip five front-line squadrons (replacing nine CF-100 squadrons) and an Operational Training Unit (OTU). The first two aircraft were transferred to Canada in a special ceremony at RCAF Station Uplands in Ottawa, on July 24th 1961, marking the beginning of Operation “Queen’s Row”. 425 Squadron officially began operations as a Voodoo squadron at RCAF Station Namao, Alberta on October 15, 1961, initially acting as the conversion training squadron to convert 410, 416, 409 and 414 Squadrons to the Voodoo. 425 Squadron then became an operational unit itself, turning the conversion role over to No. 3 All Weather OTU at RCAF Bagotville. By the end of 1962, the squadrons were operating out of Comox, British Columbia (409 Squadron), North Bay, Ontario (414 Squadron), Ottawa, Ontario (410 Squadron), Bagotville, Quebec (425 Squadron), and Chatham, New Brunswick (416 Squadron). 410 and 414 Squadrons were eliminated in defense cuts in 1964.

The issue of bringing nuclear weapons to Canada had not been entirely resolved in June 1961, and the CF-101s remained armed only with their secondary AIM-47 Falcon missiles. The complications of resolving this issue finally led to the collapse of the Diefenbaker government in April 1963. The succeeding Pearson government finally signed an agreement with the United States concerning nuclear arms for Canada on August 16th, 1963. The agreement did not actually state that Canada was acquiring nuclear weapons, and in fact the Canadian government usually refused to confirm or deny that there were any nuclear arms in Canada. The agreement specifically stated that the AIR-2 Genie rockets were the property of the United States, and would only be released to Canada for actual use with the joint agreement of Canada and the United States through NORAD. The stringent training requirements meant that it took until June 1965 for the Genies to become operational in Canada. The Genies were kept in the custody of the USAF, with detachments located at each of the Canadian bases.

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Two 409 Squadron CF-101s in the mountains of British Columbia

Each Voodoo base was laid out to allow aircraft to be kept at immediate readiness at all times. A Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facility was positioned at the end of the main runway, to allow alert aircraft to launch as quickly as possible. Two aircraft and their crews were always on “five minute” alert – the aircraft were to be in the air, en route to intercept unknown aircraft, within five minutes of receiving the order. In one instance, 416 Squadron was able to launch two alert aircraft after only 57 seconds! Voodoos were dispatched with some regularity to intercept unidentified NORAD radar contacts – usually airliners flying off course, although 416 and 425 occasionally intercepted Soviet “Bear” bombers flying along the Atlantic coast to Cuba.

Between 1970 and 1972, Canada traded the 56 survivors of the original CF-101 fleet back to the USAF for 66 replacements, under Operation Peace Wings. The 'new' aircraft were actually older than the original fleet, but were lower time airframes with updates that had not been performed on the Canadian Voodoo fleet (including the addition of an IR tracking system). Bristol Aerospace of Winnipeg, Manitoba performed modifications on the incoming fleet, which involved transferring some specifically Canadian items of equipment from the “old” aircraft to the “new”. Many of the “old” Canadian Voodoos were scrapped when they returned to the U.S., but 22 were converted to RF-101B photo-reconnaissance versions, and flew with the Nevada Air National Guard until 1975.

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Special CF-101 paint schemes for the retirement in 1984 -- EF-101B, 'Lark One Canada', 'Lynx One Canada' and 'Hawk One Canada' over North Bay, Ontario in June 1984

Through the 1970s, the increasing obsolescence of the CF-101 and the CF-104 led to plans for their joint replacement by a single type. The New Fighter Aircraft program was launched in 1977 with the intention of finding a replacement for the CF-5, Starfighter, and Voodoo. The F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-18 Hornet, Panavia Tornado, and the Mirage 2000 were all considered and evaluated as potential replacements. Cost considerations eventually reduced the choice to the F-16 and F-18, and the F-18 ultimately prevailed, likely because of the additional safety of twin engines when flying in remote areas. The decision, announced on April 10, 1980, was the beginning of the end for the Voodoo in Canada. The Voodoo OTU converted to CF-18 Hornets in June 1982 to begin training aircrew for Canada's new fighter. 409 and 425 Squadrons stood down at the end of June 1984, with 416 Squadron remaining in service until the end of December 1984 as the worlds last front-line Voodoo squadron. With the stand down, the last nuclear weapons in Canada were returned to the United States.

Throughout the Voodoo era in Canada, the aircraft was a popular performer at airshows and other flying events in Canada and the United States, with displays ranging from the appearance of a single aircraft all the way up to an entire squadron. Most noteworthy was the appearance of a CF-101 (in company with a CF-104 and the "Red Knight" T-33) as part of the Golden Centennaires display team, celebrating Canada's Centennial in 1967. Also, in 1984, each squadron painted a special 'show' aircraft to commemorate the impeding retirement of the type, incorporating that Squadrons symbol. 409 Squadron produced "Hawk One Canada", 416 Squadron produced "Lynx One Canada", and 425 Squadron produced "Lark One Canada/Alouette Un Canada".

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The unique EF-101B in its sinister black paint, used as a electronic jamming aircraft by the CAF

Two Voodoos remained in service after the stand-down -- the unique 'EF-101B' electronic jamming aircraft, and a single CF-101F trainer, in service with 414 Squadron at North Bay, Ontario. The EF-101B was a conversion of a regular F-101B, incorporating the electronic jamming suite from an EB-57E Canberra. Only one aircraft was converted before the program was cancelled, and the aircraft was leased to Canada. These two Voodoos continued to fly until April 1987, when they were finally retired. The EF-101B was returned to the United States on April 7, 1987, while CF-101F 101006 made the world's last Voodoo flight on April 19, 1987 as it made a delivery flight to CFB Chatham, for eventual display at CFB Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.

Over thirty Canadian and ex-Canadian CF-101s are preserved in museums, and as memorials, in Canada and the United States.

References:

Dempsey, Dan: A Tradition of Excellence: Canada's Airshow Team Heritage, High Flight Enterprises, 2002. Outstanding history of military display teams in Canada, including lots of Voodoo information.

Dorr, Robert F.: McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, Osprey Publications, 1987. Mostly a history of the Voodoo in United States service, but includes a section on Canadian Voodoos.

Dorr, Robert F.: McDonnell F-88/F-101 Voodoo Variant Briefing, Wings of Fame, Vol 1, 1996. Summarizes the history of all Voodoo variants, including Canadian service.

Keenan, Martin: Voodoo Magic, Air Force (Canadian Air Force Association), Vol. 27, #1 (Spring 2003). Good short summary of the history of the Voodoo in Canada

McIntyre, Robert: CF-101 Voodoo Canadian Profile, Ottawa, 1984. Out of print, but well worth looking up. Probably the best existing reference on the subject.

Milberry, Larry: Canada's Air Force At War And Peace, Volume 3, Canav Books, 2000. Includes a good section on early Canadian Voodoo operations.

Rankin-Lowe, Jeff and Cline, Andew: The Aircraft of the Canadian Armed Forces, Sirius Publications, 1996. Good reference for serials of Canadian Military aircraft in the CAF era.

External Links

[[1]] List of preserved Canadian Voodoos