HINDSIGHT 2020: CF-101 Voodoo
Welcome to Hindsight 2020! For this series we will be taking a look at Canada's past fighter purchases and asking a simple question: "Did we make the right decision?" We will look at the aircraft itself, compare it to the alternatives available at the time, and determine whether or not Canada picked the right aircraft. The CF-101 Voodoo is a Cold War icon. Operating between the years 1961 and 1987, the McDonnell Douglas CF-101 Voodoo served as Canada's chief air defence against the threat of Soviet bombers. Stationed all over the country, the Voodoos were readily available at any time to meet possible air threats at a moment's notice. Big, loud, and with the iconic red and white lightning bolt painted on its flank, the CF-101 was unmistakable. So much so that the Voodoo is more often remembered for its RCAF service than its time in the USAF. Acquired to replace the aging CF-100 Canuck, the CF-101 filled the role of long...