The CF-101 Voodoo aircraft was designed as a supersonic, all-weather fighter (interceptor) and to carry nuclear weapons. It carried one pilot and one navigator. This sleek jet had a wingspan of 11.8 meters and its two Pratt and Whitney turbojet engines let it reach a speed of 1,825 kilometers per hour. The first versions were built in 1957, and Canada began acquiring Voodoos in 1961. The aircraft carried two infrared guided missiles and Genie nuclear-tipped rockets. The B version was used by RCAF/CAF squadrons for more than 25 years and was an important part of the NATO defense program.

Overall, Canada operated 66 Voodoos, 56 used as interceptors and 10 as trainers. When the last of the Voodoos were retired, they were replaced by McDonnell-Douglas CF-188 Hornets.

The Museum’s CF-101 Voodoo, tail number 101040, was purchased by the Canadian Armed Forces from the United States Air Force in April of 1971. It flew with 409 “Nighthawk” Squadron based in Comox, British Columbia, and has a hawk image painted on the tail. It also flew with 416 Squadron in CFB Chatham, New Brunswick. This was the last unit in the world to fly the Voodoo. CF-101 Voodoo 101040 became an instructional airframe in 1983, and was transferred to CFB Trenton where it was used for battle damage repair training. It joined the collection of the National Air Force Museum of Canada in 1992.