Dates

Event

From Unknown to 19 December 1954

Constructed as a F-101A-1-MC by McDonnell at Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

4 February 1955

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 53-2422.

17 October 1958

To Minneapolis, MN.
Used for autopilot testing.

1 July 1961

To Milwaukee, WI.
Used for autopilot testing.

31 July 1962

To Minneapolis, MN.
Used for autopilot testing.

24 March 1963

Transferred to Air Force Flight Test Center, AFFTC, Edwards AFB, CA.

Converted to a JF-101A.

Converted to a NF-101A.

19 September 1966

Damaged.
The purpose of this flight was aircraft and autopilot familiarization. A normal military power takeoff was made at 0905 PST. The landing gear was then retracted normally with all indication normal. Captain Smith then climbed to 25,000 feet and flew a simulated traffic pattern. The landing gear was lowered at 240 KIAS. The indications in the cockpit were all that all three landing gear were down and locked. Captain Smith Ernst in the chase aircraft observed that the left main gear was not in the proper position. The gear was over-extended about 10-15 degrees. A closer look by Captain Ernst revealed that the end piece of the main landing gear side brace actuator was broken off. A decision was made to land on Lakebed Runway 23. Two practice approaches were made to the runway so the pilot could have a better feel for the aircraft in the landing configuration and at normal traffic pattern airspeeds. After these approaches, Captain Smith flew a flat approach to the runway and touched down at 161 knots. The drag chute was immediately deployed, the nose was lowered and nose wheel steering was used for directional control. The wheel brakes were not used. As the aircraft slowed down, the engines were shut down and the aircraft allowed to roll to a stop. When the aircraft came to a stop, the left main gear strut was bent outboard about 30 degrees. The pilot evacuated the aircraft immediately with negative injuries.

19 July 1967

Damaged.
Crash landed while attempting to land after suffering breaker light malfunction. Tire exploded upon landing and aircraft skidded down the runway. The full report can be found at the following link: https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/f-101-voodoo.48995/page-2.

1979

To Edwards AFB-Radar and Photo Range, Edwards AFB, Palmdale, CA.
View the Location Dossier

19 April 2012

Photographer: Simon Wallwork
Notes: Voodoo in the desert. This early One-Oh-Wonder, 53-2422, is abandoned on the photo range at Edwards AFB.