F-101 Stars & Stripes Structured Twill Cap

The F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic Cold War fighter developed from the XF-88 penetration fighter. It was originally intended as a long-range bomber escort for Strategic Air Command, but that role faded as high-speed jet bombers such as the B-52 entered service. Before production began, the Voodoo was redirected into tactical, air defence and reconnaissance roles.

The first F-101A flew on Sep 29ᵗʰ, 1954, and the first production F-101A became operational in May 1957. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets, the Voodoo was fast for its era, with later F-101B interceptors reaching around 1,095 mph. The F-101 family included fighter-bomber, photo-reconnaissance, two-seat interceptor and trainer variants.

The F-101B became the major all-weather interceptor version, serving with Air Defense Command and later Air National Guard units. It carried AIM-4 Falcon guided missiles and AIR-2 Genie nuclear rockets, giving it a key role in North American air defence during the Cold War.

The RF-101 reconnaissance versions were among the Voodoo’s most important variants. The RF-101 was the world’s first supersonic photo-reconnaissance aircraft, and RF-101s flew low-level reconnaissance missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and in Southeast Asia. RF-101C aircraft helped confirm and monitor Soviet missile sites in Cuba in 1962, and later served in Vietnam with tactical reconnaissance units.

A total of 807 Voodoos were built by the time production ended in March 1961. Canada also operated the CF-101 as a NORAD interceptor after the cancellation of the Avro Arrow, with five Canadian squadrons flying the type from 1961 until retirement in 1984. Although the Voodoo was not remembered as a classic dogfighter, it filled important Cold War roles as an interceptor, strike aircraft and high-speed reconnaissance platform.

Why are the stripes vertical?
Great question - and you're absolutely right that the U.S. flag is usually displayed with horizontal stripes. But in this design, we’ve reimagined the flag as an artistic tribute rather than a literal representation. We chose to depict the flag as if it were hanging vertically from above, similar to how it might appear draped at a hangar entrance or suspended during a ceremony. This vertical orientation allows the iconic silhouette of the aircraft to really shine -with the red and white stripes running the length of the fuselage, it creates a bold, centred look while still honouring the flag’s spirit and symbolism.