Using the reinforced airframe of the F-101C, the RF-101C first flew on 12 July 1957, entering service in 1958. The RF-101C featured a new longer nose that was purpose-built for photo-reconnaissance with 166 examples built in all. On 27 November 1957 during Operation Sun Run, an RF-101C piloted by then-Captain Robert Sweet set the Los Angeles-New York-Los Angeles record in 6 hours 46 minutes, and the New York to Los Angeles record in 3 hours, 36 minutes. Another RF-101C, piloted by then-Lieutenant Gustav Klatt, set the Los Angeles to New York record in 3 hours 7 minutes. Of all of the Voodoo variants, the RF-101C was the only one to see action from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the jungles of Vietnam. Among the early arrivals into Vietnam with the F-100 Super Sabre, the RF-101C was initially immune to MiGs due to its high speed. The first F-101 was lost in November 1964 to ground fire. In some 35,000 sorties, 39 aircraft were lost, 33 in combat, including five to SAMs, one to an airfield attack, and only one in air combat to a MiG-21 in September 1967. Initially, the RF-101C's speed had made it largely immune to MiG interception but in April 1967, ALQ-71 ECM pods were fitted to provide some protection against SAMs. The added drag and weight decreased the speed enough to make RF-101 vulnerable to the maneuverable (and cannon-equipped) MiGs and thus required fighter escort. After withdrawal from Vietnam, the RF-101C continued to serve with USAF units through 1979.
While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned models including the massive fuselage with detailed canopy, the distinctive angular nose, the 450 gallon fuel tanks under the belly and the wings with the air intakes.
While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent in it.
NOTE: While we currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.
