The Royal Canadian Air force/Canadian Air Force has flown several different jet fighters since the inception of the first jet powered fighter aircraft into Canada's military. One of the largest and fastest of those jet fighters was the American designed and built CF-101 (F-101) Voodoo. Read on to learn more about the Voodoo, its history, and how you can help the only all jet aircraft museum in Canada save this iconic aircraft through the "Save Voodoo 006" campaign (savevoodoo006.com).

Since the first jet aircraft, designed and built during World War II, aircraft, engines and technology have taken aviation and aircraft places likely never envisioned by 1940s designers. From speeds that were not all that much faster than the fastest propeller driven aircraft of the time, to speeds in excess of Mach 2, design and development of jet aircraft continue to break new ground with technological developments far beyond that of the early jet fighters such as the Gloster Meteor, Me 262 and the Bell P-59 Airacomet.

In the late 1940s a new sleek type of jet aircraft was designed and built called the XF-88 Voodoo with the first prototype flying in 1948. Though the aircraft performed well, changes in USAF priorities and shortages in government monies saw the project cancelled.

During their experiences in the Korean War, the USAF realized the need for a new jet fighter and, through a redesigned airframe and engine, the F-101 was born, first flying in 1954. The F-101 Voodoo flew with the US Military in various roles and in 1961 56 F-101B's and 10 F-101Fs (2-seat trainers) were transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force and redesignated the CF-101.

The first two CF-101s were transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force at RCAF Uplands in Ottawa, Ontario during a special ceremony. From there, the RCAF operated the Voodoo at 5 squadrons including 409 (RCAF Comox, BC), 410 (RCAF Uplands, Ottawa, ON), 414 (RCAF North Bay, ON) 416 (RCAF Chatham, NB) and 425 (RCAF Bagotville, QC). Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, 410 and 414 squadrons were eliminated, though 414 sqn, RCAF North Bay, flew the Voodoo again some years later.

Voodoos were kept at immediate readiness at all times so that aircraft could be launched in as short a time as possible. To allow aircraft to launch as quickly as possible, a QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) facility was built at the end of the main runway with two crews at five minute readiness at all times. This meant that a Voodoo aircrew could be in the aircraft and in the air in less than five minutes, on their way to intercept any inbound threats. Though no Canadian Voodoo ever fired its weapons in anger, they were often sent to intercept an assortment of aircraft including airliners that were off course and, occasionally, Russian aircraft such as the Tu-95 Bear, usually making its way to Cuba along Canada's east coast.

In the late 1970s the need for a new type of aircraft to defend and protect Canada meant the end of the CF-101 Voodoo as one of Canada's front line fighters. The CF-18 Hornet prevailed as the new aircraft for the Canadian Armed Forces and the Voodoo's were retired, with the last one flying with an active squadron in late 1984. Two Voodoos remained active with the CAF at 414 CFB North Bay, a CF-101F, two-seat trainer and a EF-101B, an electronic jamming aircraft known as the "Electric Voodoo."

These last two Voodoos were finally retired in April of 1987. EF-101B "Electric Voodoo" was returned to the United States and, on April 19, 1987, Voodoo #101006, made the world's last Voodoo flight, going to CFB Chatham, NB. The aircraft was then moved to its current resting place in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia at the Cornwallis Military Museum.

However, the aircraft has been sitting outside since that time and the Cornwallis Military Museum has made the difficult decision to award the aircraft to another museum. That museum is the Jet Aircraft Museum (JAM) at London International Airport in London, ON, Canada.

The Jet Aircraft Museum is a relatively young museum currently working to restore to flying condition five T-33 Silver Star aircraft (known as the T-33 Shooting Star in the US). Any funding that has come into the museum has gone toward the restoration of the T-33s, outside of other bills such as mortgage, heat, hydro, etc. Funding is desperately needed to save the Voodoo. To that end the Jet Aircraft Museum has launched their "Save Voodoo 006" campaign and funding and donations are desperately needed.

JAM plans to send a team of members and an AME out to Cornwallis this coming summer to dismantle, load and transport the Voodoo, along with another T-33 that the Cornwallis Military Museum has donated to JAM as well, back to the museum in London. They can't do it without your help.

Though the Voodoo wears the markings of the Canadian Armed Forces, in a previous life it served with the US military so the connection for this airplane isn't just Canadian, it's American as well. The museum needs help to save, restore and maintain this beautiful airframe. The costs to retrieve the Voodoo, as well as the T-33, will likely see the need to raise as much as $25,000, not including the cost of restoration. Some might say that it's as easy as having 1000 people donate $25 each. If only it WERE that easy!

If you have a love of aviation; if you have a love of airplanes, jet aircraft, fighter jets and supersonic jets; if you love the US military or the Canadian Air Force, then consider helping the Jet Aircraft Museum save this iconic and classic jet aircraft!

You can help by donating to the museum through savevoodoo006.com or by going to the "Save Voodoo 006" Facebook page. Whether you're a private citizen or a corporate sponsor, any financial assistance you can offer is needed and appreciated. Let's "Save Voodoo 006" so that, maybe one day, she will fly again.

Please donate to the "Save Voodoo 006" Campaign: savevoodoo006.com

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