McDonnell F2H Banshee

The Mc Donnell F2H-1 Banshee , is a Fighter plan single-seat twin-jet aircraft built by McDonnell, and intended to be embarked on board Porte-avions. It was in fact the second hunter developed by this manufacturer, and it was used during the Guerre of Korea.

Development

Its origin goes up with FH-1 Phantom same company. It was conceived before even as the FH-1 is not produced and comprises a design increased in order to embark engines more powerful and more fuel. Moreover it right from the start integrated guns of 20 mm instead of the machine-guns of 12,7 mm, as well as the possibility of carrying bombs or rockets.

First flight take place on May 11th, 1947. Initially called XF2D-1, it was famous XF2H-1 to avoid all confusions with the planes of Douglas. A first order of 56 specimens was signed by the US Navy.

Versions

F2H-1 : version improved of the F2D-1 including/understanding a lengthened fuselage of 36 cm and new engines of 14 kN push assembled in rétrofit.
F2H-2: version with 2 engines of 14,5 kN thorough and of the additional reserves in end of wings. With the difference of F9F Panther, these additional tanks were releasable. Three hundred and six specimens of this version were built.
F2H-B: minor modification of the F2H-2 which can carry a small atomic bomb. Thirty five built specimens.
F2H-2N: version of hunting of night with a lengthened fuselage of 86 cm to place equipment radar there. Fourteen built specimens.

Engagements

With US Navy/USMC

The F2H-1 Banshee becomes operational on US Essex (CV-9), which becomes the first Porte-avions to deploy twin-jet aircrafts on mission of combat.

Thanks to its very good performances with high-altitude, it was especially used at the beginning of the Guerre of Korea as a hunter of escort for the bombers of USAF. The war progressing the F2H Banshee were also employed with the attack on the ground.

Version F2H-2P (P for Photograph), apparatus of photo recognition, also was very much used.

September 16th, 1951, Banshee strongly damaged after a mission in Korea carried out a landing in catastrophe on US Essex but could not stop and struck other planes in parking on the bridge, causing the death of seven sailors.

Canadian Royal Navy (RNC)

In 1953 the RNC decided to replace these Hawker Sea Fury, continuation mainly with the decision to acquire a second aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure. Unfortunately, for reason financial, the order was approved only after the end of the manufacture of Banshee. Canadian Royal Navy due to be satisfied with apparatuses of second hand coming from the US NAVY.

See too

Nomenclature of the American planes of 1926 to 1962

Random links: