Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

McDonnell Aircraft F-101B

58-0321

— Grissom Air Museum —

McDonnell Aircraft F-101B Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

1. McDonnell Aircraft F-101B Marker

Inscription. Specifications:
Manufacture: McDonnell Aircraft
Designation: F-101B
Serial Number: 58-0321
Official name: Voodoo
Initial Cost: $1.75 million
Function: Conceived as a long range fighter to accompany SAC bombers, it ended up serving as a nuclear bomber, tactical reconnaissance platform, and defender of North American airspace.
Crew: Two; pilot, systems operator.
Wingspan: 39’, 8′′
Length: 67’,5"
Height: 18'
Power plant: 2 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55 afterburning turbojets
Thrust: 16,000lb each w/afterburner
Empty weight: 28,496lb
Max T/O weight: 52,400lb
Cruising speed:
Max speed: Mach 1.72 (1,134mph)
Service ceiling: 58,400ft
Range: 1,520 miles.
Armament: AIR-2 Genie nuclear air- to air missile.
Year built: 1958
Year retired: September, 21st 1982 (Tyndall AFB FL) The Royal Canadian Air Force flew CF-101's well into the 1980's.
Mission:
The F-101B two seat interceptor was built for Air Defense Command (ADC). The B model was the most popular having 479 examples built. Its main mission was to politely if possible, with force if necessary, escort Russian Bombers away from North American airspace.

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It was capable of carrying the AIR-2A Genie nuclear rocket. The Genie's 1.5 kiloton blast was designed to scatter incoming Soviet bomber formations long before they could reach their American targets. The F-101B Interceptors sported a large spotlight below the rear cockpit. The light could be turned on at night, allowing the F-101 crew to record the markings, and special antenna of the Soviet intruder's aircraft. Sometimes during over-the-ocean intercepts, savvy Soviet aircraft commanders would gently turn out to sea. The F-101 crew so intently concentrating on their mission, could be lured so far out over open water where they would run out of fuel before being able to return to base. Cold War cat and mouse at it's finest.

Our aircraft:
Our F-101B Voodoo was constructed in 1958 by McDonnell in Saint Louis Missouri. Guarding our northern skies against Russian intruders, she served with North Dakota's 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), Fargo ND from 1969, to sometime in 1977. After nearly 20 years of service, 58-0321 was removed from flying status and transferred to Stout Field Indianapolis as part of a short lived museum there.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

2. McDonnell Aircraft F-101B Marker

Perhaps a fitting end, she now sits retired but still guarding an active Air Force runway.

This exhibit is the property of the US Air Force and maintained through your participation in the Grissom Air Museum donor program.

Erected by Grissom Air Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is September 21, 1982.

Location. 40° 40.113′ N, 86° 7.807′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West Hoosier Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 W Hoosier Boulevard, Peru IN 46970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest

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Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cessna T-37B (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed T-33A (a few steps from this marker); McDonnell Aviation F-4C (a few steps from this marker); Republic Aviation Corporation F-105D (within shouting distance of this marker); Cessna O-2A (within shouting distance of this marker); EC-135L (within shouting distance of this marker); Boeing EC-135L (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.