The fully assembled model comes with a stained solid mahogany (or mahogany with steel arm) stand and is ready to display on your desk, bookcase or wherever you desire. The photographs you see have not been manipulated or digitally edited - they are exactly as the model looks in real life, but unfortunately even digital photography cannot do full justice to the look and feel of the model once you receive it!
PlaneArts have been producing models for over 20 years which are honed to perfection by the dexterity of our Skilled Master Craftsmen and carefully checked at all stages of manufacture by our dedicated Quality Assurance Team. We promote internationally on eBay to ensure our products get the best exposure worldwide. Due to a high level of demand and the huge diversity of aircraft types and liveries most models are made to order and take about 9-10 weeks to produce (excluding National and Public Holidays). You will also notice that we offer models often way below the price of other companies advertising on the eBay. We are able do this because of the direct manufacturing and selling basis of our business - models direct from the factory and not from an intermediary or trading / marketing company. All models are shipped internationally through FedEx, UPS or DHL Express Courier (Door to Door worldwide within about 3 business days). Fully traceable and insured against damage or loss).
Apart from those models you see in our eBay store - using your photos or images, we will make you a personalized replica model of your aircraft with your own individual paint scheme, logos, registration number, antennas and all the details that make your airplane special. You can even upgrade and personalize your model with a fully customized transparent interior to match your seats, colors, instrument panel and all other important interior details. Alternatively, we can copy any current or historic commercial or military airplane or helicopter that has ever flown just by giving us images or photos. Each meticulously detailed scale model is custom manufactured and precisely engineered to your exact specifications. We will build you a model that will not only meet your expectations but will go far beyond and with detail that will amaze you!
If you do not see the model you require in our eBay Store please message us on eBay with a description and images of what you require including the size or scale of the desired model and we will then do a dedicated listing for you on eBay. Our Customer Service Team will then help you with questions you may have and upon request update you on the status of your order. Our Production Team will work with you personally during construction until your model is ready to taxi on its journey to your own door in its foam fitted heavy duty export packaging.
To watch a video of the professional protective packing of PlaneArts models destined for all parts of the globe, please also click on the image below to start the video which will open in a separate page in your browser (the tab on in your browser for this page will still stay open so you can go back to the eBay listing)
Packing Process
Production video will open in a new window
[isdntekvideo]
The McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo: A Pillar of Cold War Reconnaissance
The McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo was an iconic aircraft that played a pivotal role during the Cold War era. Developed as a reconnaissance variant of the F-101 Voodoo fighter, the RF-101C was the United States Air Force’s first supersonic, jet-powered reconnaissance aircraft. Known for its speed and camera equipment, the RF-101C served with distinction, capturing vital intelligence over hostile territories during some of the most tense decades of the 20th century.
Development and Design:
The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation developed the RF-101C based on the design of the F-101A/C fighter models. The RF-101C incorporated several modifications tailored to high-speed, high-altitude photo reconnaissance. This variant was equipped with advanced photographic equipment, including cameras capable of detailed ground imaging from high altitudes.
One of the RF-101C’s standout features was its engine power. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets, it could reach speeds of over 1,000 mph, making it one of the fastest aircraft of its time. Its design also featured a distinctive “area rule” fuselage, which contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency by reducing drag at transonic speeds.
Operational History:
The RF-101C was deployed in significant numbers from the late 1950s through the 1970s. Its first operational sorties involved overflights of Cuba, where it gathered crucial intelligence during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The detailed photographs captured by the RF-101C were instrumental in confirming the presence of Soviet ballistic missiles on the island, which played a key role in the crisis’ resolution.
In Southeast Asia, the RF-101C saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. Operating from bases in South Vietnam and Thailand, these aircraft conducted pre-strike and post-strike reconnaissance missions, providing valuable information on North Vietnamese targets. Despite facing threats from ground-based anti-aircraft artillery and missiles, RF-101C pilots managed to deliver critical intelligence that aided U.S. military operations.
Technological Innovations:
The RF-101C was not only fast but also versatile in its reconnaissance capabilities. It could carry up to six cameras in its elongated nose, configured for different types of photographic missions—vertical, oblique, and panoramic. The cameras could operate at high speeds and altitudes, capturing clear, detailed images of vast areas in a single mission.
Additionally, the RF-101C’s cockpit was equipped with advanced navigation and radar equipment to assist pilots in flying at high speeds and low altitudes, navigating challenging terrain and evading enemy radar detection.
Legacy and Decommission:
By the late 1970s, the RF-101C was phased out of active service, replaced by more modern aircraft with better electronic and optical surveillance technologies. However, its legacy endures in the annals of military aviation history. Many RF-101Cs have been preserved and are on display in museums across the United States, serving as a testament to their significant role in aerial reconnaissance during the Cold War.
The McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo remains a symbol of the technological advances and strategic capabilities of the USAF during a period marked by intense global competition and technological innovation. Its contributions to aerial reconnaissance and its role in crucial historical events highlight its importance not just as a military tool but as a key player in the broader context of Cold War geopolitics.
