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Voodoo Warriors: The Story of the McDonnell Voodoo Fast-Jets Kindle Edition
During the mid–1950s the United States Air Force was given its most powerful single-seat, two-engine fighter to date. The Voodoo would be deployed before the end of that decade in the tactical nuclear bomber and tactical reconnaissance roles worldwide, and in homeland defense with the two-seat, all-weather variant. In December 1957 it took the World Air Speed Record to Mach 1.6—over one and a half times faster than the sound barrier.
This book looks at the evolution of the original design and its introduction into service. Chapters cover operations in Korea, Vietnam, the Cuban Crisis and in Europe during the Cold War years. Many first-hand accounts from pilots are included and the author’s own experiences with the aircraft are given with fascinating insight.
The Voodoo was an elegant, mean-looking fighting machine that epitomized fast flying in the fifties and sixties. It continues to be a revered airplane.
“Definitely a book that gives an in depth look at the Voodoo and the pilots who flew her.”—InScale.org
- ISBN-13978-1844154142
- PublisherPen & Sword Maritime
- Publication dateMarch 28, 2007
- LanguageEnglish
- File size269.8 MB
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About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B00HZNOT1Q
- Publisher : Pen & Sword Maritime (March 28, 2007)
- Publication date : March 28, 2007
- Language : English
- File size : 269.8 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 763 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,824,767 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #143 in Korean War Aviation History
- #211 in Korean War History (Kindle Store)
- #937 in Military Science History
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the detailed account of the F-101 Voodoo's history. The writing quality is praised as well-written and easy to understand. Readers appreciate the great details and insights into combat tactics, particularly low-flying missions. The pilots are praised for their bravery and dedication. The photos and aircraft profiles are also appreciated. However, some customers felt the pacing was too slow and boring, lacking life.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the detailed information about a classic Century series fighter from a pilot's perspective.
"...It is a superb publication printed on heavy gloss paper with an evocative dustjacket cover. Highly recommended to any fan of Cold War aircraft." Read more
"...The descriptions of the North Vietnamese prisons at the end was very interesting." Read more
"...reading this book, one gets a different perspective on this very interesting aircraft, it really is the "One-O-Wonder"!..." Read more
"...book was that the author tried to put too much into it, but it is worth reading if you want to about the Voodoo, its operation, short comings,..." Read more
Customers find the book's history interesting and well-written. They appreciate the detailed account of the F101 Voodoo's operational history, including its configurations and photo reconnaissance achievements. The book provides an enjoyable read with interesting details about the airplane's operation and history.
"...The book contains a multitude of photographs, flying stories, interesting characters, funny episodes and humorous predicaments...." Read more
"...But it tells the story of the F-101 beautifully, and with great detail, through the experiences of its pilots, one of whom is the author..." Read more
"...discovered that there was a lot of interesting and informative little details about the Voodoo, its operation, history, etc...." Read more
"...I so appreciate the author’s extensive coverage of the topic...." Read more
Customers find the book well-written and easy to read. They appreciate the author's balance of technical information and fun writing style. The book provides detailed coverage of the F-101 Voodoo, with anecdotes and first-hand accounts from aircrews.
"...There is much technical material to be found, interspersed with many anecdotes of the aircrew who flew the aircraft in peace, Cold War and the hot..." Read more
"...Well written, sometimes entertaining, but always true to the mewn, The VooDoo Warriors themselves." Read more
"This was an in-depth, highly-detailed treatise of the F-101 Voodoo--a real "workhorse" of an airplane if there ever was one...." Read more
"...Mr. Walpole writes with just the right balance to satisfy those with more technical knowledge of the subject as well as those with a general interest..." Read more
Customers find the book provides a thorough look at F-101 operations from the inside. They appreciate the technical details and combat insights on tactics, low-flying, and certain aspects of missions. The book includes first-hand accounts of actual combat missions and photographic documentation of individuals and aircraft throughout.
"...1955, the Air Force recognized that the adaptable Voodoo was perfect for tactical recon...." Read more
"Good detail, sometimes too much detail, but the book really picks up at the end is it digs into the reconnaissance duties of the airplane during the..." Read more
"...But it tells the story of the F-101 beautifully, and with great detail, through the experiences of its pilots, one of whom is the author..." Read more
"...He also has included photographic documentation of individuals and aircraft throughout that will be greatly appreciated by historians, unit members..." Read more
Customers appreciate the pilots and their journeys. They find the book an excellent research on a fantastic fighter aircraft and the brave men who flew it. The book honors the pilots, maintenance crew, and the hero warriors of the military that protected the USA during the Cold War.
"...Many thanks to the author for an exceptional work about an exceptional aircraft and the very brave unsung men who flew it." Read more
"...great job on certain aspects of the missions, and the personalities of the men that flew them...." Read more
"...recommend it to anyone who wants to learn the history of this great aircraft." Read more
"...These brave pilots flew these unarmed (but fast) planes over North Vietnam in order to photograph military targets and results of bombings of..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's photos and aircraft profiles. They find the pictures great and interesting, with an evocative dust jacket cover.
"...is a superb publication printed on heavy gloss paper with an evocative dustjacket cover. Highly recommended to any fan of Cold War aircraft." Read more
"...The book contains a multitude of photographs, flying stories, interesting characters, funny episodes and humorous predicaments...." Read more
"...this book gave a very detailed history of the RF101 and its photo recon achievements it gave very little recognition of the other roles played by..." Read more
"...From interceptor to recon aircraft this plan did it. Good pictures and easy to follow...." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book boring and lacking life.
"...Book was written very dry and with very little life. I feel no connection to the plane, the pilots, or even the missions." Read more
"...Not much of a story, Not much of a history. Dull, didn't finish it. Some day I may go back when I am desperate for some thing to read." Read more
"Fine history of every unit that ever flew the F-101, but not all that interesting. Some very good photos of the F-101." Read more
"Written much like an after-action report; not very engaging. Some interesting parts on the Viet Nam air war, but that's it." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2014I saw my first USAF aircraft in 1961 at an airshow at RAAF Amberley in 1961. It started a life-long fascination with the Century-series aircraft and in particular the coolly named "Voodoo". This book is a bit different from the history cum technical publications usually describing classic aircraft. The author flew the F-101, but interestingly, was not a USAF pilot, but a RAF exchange-pilot to the main F-101 recce-bird base at Shaw AFB in the US. However the fact that the Voodoo served prominently in Europe, with bases in the UK, Germany and France, plus its use as an interceptor by the Canadian airforce, makes the coverage by a non-American author both different and interesting. There is much technical material to be found, interspersed with many anecdotes of the aircrew who flew the aircraft in peace, Cold War and the hot war in South East Asia. As well as the pilots, the Voodoo Medicine Men (technical staff), photo interpreters, logistics personnel and wives get a mention. A highlight is the many photos and aircraft profiles included. I bought the Kindle version to save space in my library, but I just have to get the hardcover! By the way, check my review of one of the other major publications on the F-101, "Voodoo" by Lou Drendel and Paul Stevens; there's an interesting little story there and a lesson for authors of these types of books.
Update: The Kindle version was a great read, but the Kindle does not handle photos and other illustrations well, and this book is packed with excellent photographs of the F-101 in all its glory. The hardcover arrived in the mail and did not disappoint! It is a superb publication printed on heavy gloss paper with an evocative dustjacket cover. Highly recommended to any fan of Cold War aircraft.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2008Two recce Voodoos raced toward the heavily defended Than Hoa Bridge -- Five Thuds had already been lost trying to take it out.
As they put the Bay of Tonkin behind them, worsening weather had driven the pair of RF-101s down from 500 to 200 ft. "Then all hell broke loose, the North Vietnamese opening up with all they had as the Voodoos scythed their way through the weeds at more than 500 knots."
Somehow, both Voodoos escaped without damage and returned to base with photos showing the bridge was still intact.
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation had indeed designed a strong, versatile jet, for the Voodoo had been originally conceived 21 years earlier as a SAC multi-role long-range bomber escort fighter.
The long-lived Voodoo was cast in three distinct missions over its operational life. In 1955, the Air Force recognized that the adaptable Voodoo was perfect for tactical recon. Gun and ammunition boxes were removed and a lengthened nose housing cameras installed -- the RF-101 was born.
The same year, the two-seat F-101 bomber interceptor was conceived. By 1957, the ADC and RCAF F-101Bs, armed with 2 Genie air-to-air rockets and 2 Falcon air-to-air mssiles were defending North America. Incredibly, each Genie rocket had a 1.5 kiloton atomic warhead!
Based in Suffolk County, England, beginning in 1957, the F-101, using its great acceleration, speed, and range, was cast in the tactical low-level nuclear bomber role.
Group Captain Nigel J.R. Walpole, RAF, is the author of "Voodoo Warriors." A jet fighter pilot himself, he took part in the 1960 USAF/RAF exchange tour, flying RF-101s out of Shaw Air Force Base.
Mr. Walpole covers lifestyles, personalities, training, innovations, deployments, evolving tactics and important operations, informing and entertaining the reader in an anecdotal style. The book contains a multitude of photographs, flying stories, interesting characters, funny episodes and humorous predicaments.
Flight Lieutenant Walpole successfully completed his first high level photo mission over the Nevada Test Range. After checking his photos, the intelligence staff ordered a round of beers to celebrate the coming end of Walpole's succssful visit. "In fact it ended almost immediately when a senior person from Nellis, invited to view the results of the mission, was aghast to see that it had been flown by a 'foreigner' without the necessary clearances to fly over a most secret area." Flight Lieutenant Walpole was "ordered back to Shaw forthwith..."
On the more serious side, the author relates how many good men were lost flying the Voodoo.
Part One, "Cold War Contingencies," beginning with the 1958 deployment of cold war Voodoos, covers overseas operations in North Africa, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan. These chapters follow the refining of the Voodoos' mission, joint training of crews, and building NATO experience by executing overseas deployments with other air forces.
Later, in Part Two, "Conflict," the battle-ready Voodoo squadrons take part in the tense RF-101 photo reconnaissance operations during the Cuban missile crisis.
The "mother lode" of the book are the eight chapters dedicated to all aspects of the escalating and evolving Voodoo operations in South East Asia during the Vietnam War, including special coverage of the "Hanoi Hilton" prison camp.
In Part Three, "Commitment," the author salutes the valuable support crews of recce squadrons stationed in South East Asia that tirelessly processed the film, and maintained the aircraft.
Mr. Walpole pays tribute to the veteran Voodoo crews by sharing photos of various unit reunions as well as pictures of retired Voodoo aircraft on public display, in Part Four, "Commemoration."
- Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2014Good detail, sometimes too much detail, but the book really picks up at the end is it digs into the reconnaissance duties of the airplane during the Vietnam War. The descriptions of the North Vietnamese prisons at the end was very interesting.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2007It is fortunate that Nigel Walpole overcame his initial reluctance to write Voodoo Warriors because he thought himself unqualified, for he has written a great story about a fascinating airplane.
This is not a book about an airplane in the sense of a technical treatise like Aerofax or Crowood would do. But it tells the story of the F-101 beautifully, and with great detail, through the experiences of its pilots, one of whom is the author himself.
The story moves around the world, going to the various operational areas where the F-101 was based. I got a greater knowledge of the role Voodoo nuclear armed fighters would have played in the event of a war in Europe than I ever had before. Their mission would have been most probably a "one-way ticket to hell", and the bravery of their pilots is not difficult to appreciate.
Less space is devoted to the F-101B two-seat interceptor, which is the version that I saw here in the US at various times. Properly, the greater part of the book deals with the photo reconnaissance versions and operations in Southeast Asia, where the Voodoo gained its greatest fame, but at a great cost in good pilot's lives.
The F-101 has been a lesser known "Century" series US fighter, somewhat overshadowed by the F-100, F-104, F-105, and perhaps less so by the F-106. After reading this book, one gets a different perspective on this very interesting aircraft, it really is the "One-O-Wonder"!
I'm looking forward to reading more by Nigel Walpole.
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on June 13, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars I will buy on this seller again
Very interesting story of a jetfighter and its pilot. It deals on how the pilot felt during the time he is handling the plane.
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SierraReviewed in France on April 17, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Très intéressant !
Ce pilote de la RAF a combattu au Vietnam pour le compte de l'USAF. Sa description du Voodoo F101 est excellente. Le chapitre concernant la version RF-101-C du Voodoo (reconnaissance-photo) est bien détaillé. Bonnes photographies et nombreux "profiles" à la fin du livre, malheureusement ces illustrations sont en noir et blanc sur mon Kindle, dommage !
A recommander, le prix de la version e-book Kindle est vraiment très avantageux. Si vous aimez le McDonnel F101 Voodoo : Foncez !
- Phil BReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars I love the smell of reconnaissance in the morning
Growing up as a child in the sixties and seventies the Vietnam War was high on the national TV news, although I may have been more focused on the Magic Roundabout (prime UK viewing before the BBC early evening news) at times. I've read many a tome on the conflict and an interest in flying and early "loud" jets had me reaching for the click to “buy now on your” Kindle button.
It's actually written from an RAF exchange pilot’s viewpoint but after what appears to be a great deal of research and interviewing with all manner of pilots and support crew involved in training and deployment of the Voodoo. It truly is an interesting read; it reads to me like the flight safety articles I've seen in RN (Royal Navy) Engineering Publications. And given the authors background you can see the similarity. Don’t take this as a negative; it’s certainly a clarity of style and a very unbiased view of a big old stick of a first generation jet fighter.
I would commend anyone to read it as either an addendum to the Vietnam War (I nearly said conflict there - 32 years of Falklands War/Conflict confusion - sorry) or as a descriptor of the speed of progress in the 50's and 60's and the times of high numbers of personnel supporting analogue equipment.
- Robert lewisReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2015
4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening
Becoming increasingly aware of the air war as well as the ground war in SEA having read several books on the subject .Hat's off to the author and all of his comrades,a great bunch.
- PyramidReviewed in Canada on May 22, 2016
3.0 out of 5 stars No Witch Hunting!
Non-fiction account of the "Voodoo" aircraft.