F101C Voodoo 56-0013

Maol Odhar, Highland

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Operator/Nationality

Operating Country

USA (USAF)

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Acknowledgment

Information and accident data regarding this aircraft was kindly provided by Phillip Jones, Researcher and Author, and also contributor to Combined Operations website. This website includes information on 516 Squadron RAF.

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ADVISORY

Please refer to Scottish Mountaineering Club, New Climbs 2005 (PDF copy here). Under entries for Glen Coe, see details for Maol Odhar (Creach Bheinn) Coire nam Frithallt and Voodoo Buttress.

Warning

This can be a difficult and potentially dangerous site to reach. In certain areas, the terrain can be hazardous, and consists of much loose rock and shale. This climb should be attempted only by experienced and well-equipped hill walkers or mountaineers.

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Aircraft Type Photo

BELOW: McDonnell F-101C Voodoo fighter-bomber / interceptor / reconnaissance aircraft.

McDonnell F-101C Voodoo fighter bomber / interceptor aircraft on hardstanding

Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of the USAF

Aircraft Type and Background

USAF McDonnell F101C 45 MC Voodoo / 56-0013

Aircraft Type Nickname: "One-Oh-Wonder"

The F-101 first flew in 1954. It was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney afterburning thrust J57-P-55 turbojet engines.

The F-101 Voodoo could carry two Genie nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles or six Hughes Falcon air-to-air missiles. The RF-101C was capable of carrying a thermo-nuclear bomb. This fighter-bomber had a maximum speed of 1,000mph and a cruising speed of 550mph.

Originally, the F-101 was intended as a long range escort fighter for the B-36 bombers operated by Strategic Air Command (SAC).

McDonnell F-101 Voodoos were operated by the USAF and later by the RCAF.

BELOW: Close-up of F-101 Voodoo cockpit controls

F-101 Voodoo cockpit controls

Photo: Courtesy of the National Museum of the USAF

Aircraft Accident Details

At the time of the accident, the F-101C Voodoo featured here was on a training flight from its base at RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk, England. However, while flying over the Scottish highlands at 28,000ft, the fighter exploded in mid-air —apparently without warning—as the pilot had no opportunity to eject from his stricken aircraft.

Wreckage from the fighter-bomber was strewn over a wide area in the vicinity of Maol Odhar (Creach Bheinn) in the Kingairloch area of the Scottish Highlands, about 15 miles SW of Fort William. An extensive search was conducted by the USAF, RAF and mountain rescue teams. However, the crash site was not discovered until 10 days later.

Press reports speculated that live ammunition or nuclear bombs / warheads had exploded causing the crash. Reports suggest, however, that this fighter had been on a training—not an operational—mission.

Aircraft Pilot Casualty

The airman who died in this accident was:

Capt. Morris H Reed (28). Pilot

Crash Site Photos

At the moment, there are no photos of this aircraft crash site. However wreckage photos and details are available at Eddie's Photo Archive and at Peak District Air Accident Research website.