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Following the success of the FH-1 Phantom in US Navy and US Marine service, McDonnell was requested to submit its design for a new and improved jet fighter to supersede the FH-1. The company's design submission led to the receipt of a contract in early 1945 for three McDonnell XF2D-1 prototypes, these later gaining the name Banshee. McDonnell's design covered an improved version of the Phantom of increased size, incorporating folding wings, and with a lengthened fuselage to house more fuel, and with similarly-mounted and more powerful Westinghouse turbojet engines. The first prototype was flown on 11 January 1947, by then redesig-nated XF2H-1, and successful testing and evaluation led to contracts that were to call eventually for a total of 892 production aircraft of which details are given under Variants. Initial deliveries of production F2H-1s, to US Navy Squadron VF-171, began in August 1948, and the type proved of great value as an escort fighter during the Korean War. By the end of that conflict the F2Hs had been superseded by more advanced fighters, but continued in use in a reconnaissance role for a number of years and, in service with US Navy Reserve units, were flown until the mid-1960s. In November 1955 a total of 39 ex-US Navy F2H-3s was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, these being that service's first operational jet fighters; when the last were retired, in September 1962, they also proved to be the last carrier-based fighters in Canadian service.
| MODEL | F2H-3 "Banshee" |
| CREW | 1 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Westinghouse J34-WE-34 turbo-jet, 14.4kN each |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 11437 kg | 25214 lb |
| Empty weight | 5980 kg | 13184 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 12.73 m | 42 ft 9 in |
| Length | 14.68 m | 48 ft 2 in |
| Height | 4.42 m | 15 ft 6 in |
| Wing area | 27.31 m2 | 293.96 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Ceiling | 14205 m | 46600 ft |
| Range | 1883 km | 1170 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 4 x 20mm cannon, 2 x 227kg bombs |
 | A three-view drawing of F2H-4 Banshee (1660 x 1130) |
| O.J. Semmes, osemmes(@)bellsouth.net, 23.01.2010 Flew F@H-3's amd 4's in VF-71. When I reported right out of the training command, the weather was below minimums and two flights were up practicing GCA approaches. VF 71 was always up when the WX was down. Aboard Hornet had night deck crash that I walked away from...slightly fast and high at cut...the SPN-12 gear was out...lousy night...no wind. During same cruise John Mitchell landed a Banshee one night between the two stanchions on the fantail of Bon Homme Richard or maybe Oriskany..and walked down to sick bay afterward. Also flew it during Operation Strikeback in North Atlantic. It was great platform but electronics packages did not have the reliability we now have. | | Edward Parnell, eparnell3(@)bellsouth.net, 31.12.2009 In 1951, VMF-224, I put a Banshee into the round-down of the Coral Sea, Blew up; burned. exited the bird over the side, under water; wish I had a copy of the "crash camera" films of that episode. Great aircraft!! | | Doug Mount, dlmount(@)dc.rr.com, 30.12.2009 I was in Navy CAG-21, VF213, in 1956, and it was an active day night fighter, but do not know how long it had been in service prior to 1956. I believe it was retired in late 56 or in 1957. We were stationed at NAS Moffet Field at that time. | | Len Eisner, len83(@)sbcglobal.net, 04.12.2009 The Banshee was a fun airplane to fly. It did well on one engine and had remarkable range at altitude or at treetop level using one engine and switching them each half hour or so. It was a high flyer, I had a photo version up to 54,000', which stretched it's abilities a bit. It was a good carrier airplane; had good visibility and low speed responsiveness coming aboard a straight deck. It was a blast to watch the wings wave on cat shots. | | Robert Coggins, cogg75(@)windstream.net, 28.05.2008 Are there any in flyiing condition today? | | S Mocsan, moxs60(@)hotmail.com, 18.01.2007 Where could i find out the Flyaway Cost? |
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