Nigel Walpole

Two stars simply because the binding is complete garbage. 3.25 Stars as a RF/F-101 Narrative

First, two stars simply because the quality of the binding is complete garbage. It's difficult to open the book and I expect the spine to start splitting soon.
Please do not buy this book if you're looking for a nuts and bolts description of the Voodoo or looking to super detail a model. It's not what the author intended this volume to be.

3.25 stars as a RF/F-101 Narrative. Strong points include excellent coverage of the CF-101 and Southeast Asia including the POW experience. This is a great volume for former Voodoo squadron members, or perhaps those who might have a loved one mentioned somewhere within its pages.
Overall a solid and sometimes "over detailed" look at the service history and the personalities of the Voodoo at the squadron/organizational level. Development, systems, structures and other technical details normally covered in a book about an airplane are particularly thin in this volume.
I get the feeling this book was written mostly as a response to requests received during reunions. If that was the case this volume succeeds admirably.
Except for squadron archivists, people involved with the Voodoo itself, or those who are preserving its operational history, I can't recommend the book. However, eighty plus reviews on Amazon and the two positive does show there is still a fair amount of interest in the RF/F-101 and this book.… (altro)

This is one of those rare occasions where I can honestly say, I thoroughly enjoyed a book from cover to cover.

Voodoo Warriors takes us from the first days of the big McDonnell F-101 Voodoo jet fighter through both the reconnaissance and air defence versions. I appreciate that the author, Group Captain Nigel Walpole, Obe, Ba, Raf (Ret'D), also touches on the nuclear bomb capability the reconnaissance versions of the Voodoo possessed, something not usually mentioned in any text about the aircraft – most focusing instead on the nuclear AIR-2 Genie rocket the air defence versions were armed with.

From the Cold War to Vietnam, we are informed and entertained with facts and antidotes from the Voodoo’s colourful history and the ‘One-O-Wonders’ assigned to her. Walpole also gives space to the Voodoo Medicine Men who worked tirelessly to keep the big fighter in the air. A really nice touch in my mind is the chapter denoted to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s experience with the CF-101, along with stories of some of the characters who defended Canada from the 101’s cockpit.

The book is well written, well researched and told from a perspective that leaves no doubt in your mind that the author has experienced what he is writing about. I recommend Voodoo Warriors to any aviation enthusiast, especially those with an interest in the Cold War or the Vietnam conflict.

www.daniellittle.com… (altro)

The F-101 Voodoo is one of those aircraft that have a special fascination for me, seeing as back in 1965 or '66 I had an uncle who was a senior USAF noncom and who let me get up close and personal with one of these planes at Otis AFB In Massachusetts.

It was then a no-brainer that this book was going to wind up on the "to read" list, even though I'm not a big fan of the products of Pen & Sword Press (a little tendency towards mediocre execution). This is not to mention that I had to wonder what would bring an officer of the RAF to write about the career of the Voodoo.

What turns out to be the case is that Walpole has a great deal of familiarity with the plane, having participated in an officer exchange back in its heyday, and seems to speak with authority about the flight characteristics of the Voodoo, about how it was used, and about the men and units involved.

The high point of the book is the recon missions flown by the USAF in S.E. Asia, but all facets of machine's service are covered, including the POW experience of those unfortunate enough to be captured by the North Vietnamese and the crew chief's perspective.

All in all a good read for those interested in the first generation of American supersonic jets or the Cold War experience of the USAF.… (altro)