20 Cold War-Era Warplanes of the U.S. Air Force

F-101 Voodoo

When McDonnell designers were drawing up the Voodoo back in 1946, it was intended to enter service as an escort for more modern bombers. But by the time the F-101 entered service, it had adapted to a multi-role platform, capable of taking on the fighter-bomber, interceptor, and high-speed reconnaissance roles. The Voodoo could carry two AIR-2 Genie nuclear-tipped missiles, which was designed to knock out Soviet strategic bombers with its 1.5-kiloton warhead. RF-101 pilots flew 82 missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later performed tactical reconnaissance in Vietnam.