The McDonnell Voodoo began as the XF-88 all-weather interceptor (fighter), which first flew at Muroc Dry Lake Air Base, Calif., in 1948. The two prototypes evolved into the F-101 Voodoo, a supersonic fighter designed to escort bombers and serve as a fighter bomber, an all-weather interceptor and a photoreconnaissance aircraft. It served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and during the Vietnam War.

"Operation Sun Run," was held on November 27, 1957, and an RF-101C set the Los Angeles-New York-Los Angeles record in 6 hours 46 minutes; the New York to Los Angeles record in 3 hours, 36 minutes; and the Los Angeles to New York record in 3 hours 7 minutes.