The Versatile Voodoo

Rarely has a plane been so popular throughout the Air Force as the F10 Voodoo, introduced to the public last week. This large (20 tons), one-man jet plane, manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft Corp.. can cruise for hours at supersonic speed (Mach 1.5).

The first Voodoos (about 100) will go to the Strategic Air Command, where they will have many missions. Stationed at overseas bases, they will be able to ride escort on the B-47 and B-52 bombers, fight off enemy interceptors and even sweep ahead at full speed, blasting enemy air defense bases with A-bombs.

The Air Defense Command also wants the Voodoo. Present interceptors can only stay at bomber altitude for seconds, make one pass and come back. The big Voodoos can stay at high altitudes for hours, attacking again and again. Altitude, stamina and a storehouse of weapons have replaced maneuverability as the big asset of an interceptor.

The Tactical Air Command should be a suitor, too, for the Voodoo could range far to help troops isolated from air bases and badly in need of rocket-bomb or atomic-bomb air support.