McDonnell F2H Banshee

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F2H Banshee
Role
Carrier-based fighter aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer
McDonnell Aircraft
First flight 11 January 1947
Introduction August 1948
Retired 30 September 1959 USN
1959 USMC
1960 USN, USMC (F2H-2P)
1961 USNR, USMCR
12 September 1962 RCN
Primary users United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
Royal Canadian Navy
Produced 1947 to 1953
Number built 895
Developed from McDonnell FH Phantom

The McDonnell F2H Banshee (company designation McDonnell Model 24) is a single-seat

McDonnell Aircraft. It was an early jet fighter operated by United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, as well as being the only jet-powered fighter to ever be deployed by the Royal Canadian Navy.[1] The aircraft's name is derived from the banshee
of Irish mythology.

The Banshee was developed during the mid to late 1940s. It was a derivative of the earlier FH Phantom, although the resulting aircraft would be considerably larger, more heavily armed, and furnished with far more powerful engines in the form of a pair of Westinghouse J34 turbojets. The Banshee incorporated several recent innovations, including a pressurized cockpit, "kneeling" nose landing gear and an ejection seat, which the Phantom lacked, as well as a large number of improvements to other aircraft systems. On 11 January 1947, the first prototype performed its maiden flight. During August 1948, the first F2H-1, the initial production model, was completed. The F2H-2 was the basis for three sub-variants; the nuclear-armed F2H-2B, the F2H-2N night fighter, and the F2H-2P photo reconnaissance aircraft.

Upon its introduction in late 1948, the Banshee proved to be almost 100 mph (160 km/h) slower than the latest land-based fighters, which has been largely attributed to its use of a straight wing rather than a swept wing configuration. Nevertheless, several variants were procured; the F2H-2N was the first carrier-based jet-powered night fighter flown by the U.S. Navy, albeit only in limited numbers, while the F2H-2P was also the service's first jet-powered reconnaissance aircraft. US Navy and Marine pilots often referred to the F2H as the "Banjo".[2] It was one of the primary American fighters used during the Korean War, typically being flown as an escort fighter and reconnaissance aircraft. Radar-equipped Banshees were also used for all-weather fleet defense. Furthermore, during 1955, 27 overflights of potential Chinese staging areas were conducted by USMC Banshees in response to a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

During the mid 1950s, the U.S. Navy and USMC began retiring their Banshees in favour of newer and more capable jet aircraft, such as the swept wing Grumman F-9 Cougar and McDonnell F3H Demon, and the delta wing Douglas F4D Skyray. Several of these aircraft would be acquired by Canada for the Royal Canadian Navy as production of the Banshee was terminated in 1953. Introduced to Canadian service in 1955, the type became the sole fighter operated following the retirement of the piston-engined Hawker Sea Fury. It operated at sea from HMCS Bonaventure or from shore bases as NORAD interceptor aircraft. Amid a reorientation towards anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and reduced value being placed on fighter operations, as well as decreasing reliability, Canada opted to withdraw its last Banshees without any direct replacement in September 1962.

Design and development

Background

XF2D-1, later XF2H-1 in 1947

The origins of the Banshee can be traced back to the FH Phantom, the United States Navy's first carrier-based jet fighter.[3] This predecessor had been first proposed by McDonnell in January 1943 and made its first flight on 2 January 1945. Even prior to production-standard Phantoms commencing delivery in January 1947, the company had already progressed with development of a successor.[4] On 2 March 1945, the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics instructed McDonnell to produce three prototypes of the improved derivative they had envisioned, designated XF2D-1. The company's design team had originally intended for this aircraft to be a straightforward modification of the Phantom and thus to share many components between the two aircraft, but it promptly became clear that the new aircraft ought to possess heavier armament, greater internal fuel capacity, and several other improvements that made the original concept infeasible.[5][6]

The resulting aircraft required the use of much larger and more powerful engines; the powerplant selected was a pair of newly developed Westinghouse J34 turbojets, which provided nearly double the total thrust from 3,200 to 6,000 lbf (14,000 to 27,000 N) compared to the Phantom but, since the larger engines still had to fit within the wing roots, this required a larger and thicker wing.[6] The more powerful engines were more fuel hungry, thus the fuselage was enlarged and strengthened to facilitate an increase in fuel capacity, which permitted a mission radius of up to 600 miles to be flown. No provisions for external stores were present on early production aircraft.[6]

Armament comprised four

air brakes were electrically rather than pneumatically operated. The front of the windscreen was bulletproof glass that was electrically heated to prevent frost.[7]

The Banshee was provisioned with a "kneeling" nose landing gear that had a pair of small wheels forward of the regular nosewheel. The regular nosewheel could be retracted so that the aircraft would rest on the smaller wheels; it could taxi with its nose down, redirecting the hot jet blast upwards to pose less risk to ground crews, and to allow parked aircraft to be tucked under each other to save space. This function was usually removed from later variants as it was found to be of little practical use and caused deck handling problems.[8] During April 1945, a mockup was completed. The project survived the numerous cancellations that came around the end of the conflict, however, the pace of development was slowed considerably, leading to the first of three prototypes was not completed until late 1946.[9]

Into flight

On 11 January 1947, the first prototype performed its

St. Louis, Missouri, piloted by McDonnell test pilot Robert M. Eldholm.[6] During this first test flight, the aircraft demonstrated a climb rate of 9,000 ft/min (2,700 m/min), twice that of the F8F Bearcat, the Navy's primary fleet defense interceptor.[7] The flight test programme, which included carrier trials, was considered to be a success, however, various improvements and refinements to the aircraft were suggested. The U.S. Navy also permitted McDonnell to borrow one of the prototypes to assist in the development of afterburners and to test fly a modified wing design with an extended trailing edge.[6]

During 1947, the prototype was redesignated XF2H-1 after the Navy placed an order for an unrelated jet fighter from the

supercarrier", was vulnerable to interceptor aircraft even at its maximum altitude.[12][13][14]

F2H-1 early in its career while still undergoing testing

During August 1948, similarities to the FH-1 meant that McDonnell was able to complete the first F2H-1, a mere three months after the last FH-1 was built; service evaluations commenced that same month

dihedral
was eliminated from the horizontal stabilizers. The wing and tail were reduced in thickness to increase the critical Mach number and different airfoil sections were used. The F2H-1 was retrofitted with 3,150 lbf (14,000 N) engines as they became available.

F2H-2B with extra pylon near intake for carrying a nuclear bomb
F2H-2N night fighter
F2H-2P with extended camera nose, post-1955

Although the Navy was satisfied with the F2H-1, it was the more capable F2H-2 that was most widely used.[17] Powered by Westinghouse J34-WE-34 engines, capable of producing 3,250 lbf (14,500 N) of thrust, it proved to be capable of significantly improved performance. The wings were strengthened to add provision for 200 US gal (760 L; 170 imp gal) wingtip fuel tanks but, unlike those of the contemporary Grumman F9F Panther, the Banshee's wingtip tanks were detachable. A pair of armament pylons were added under each inboard and outboard wing, for a total of eight, allowing the aircraft to carry 1,580 lb (720 kg) of stores, consisting of up to four 250 lb (110 kg) bombs and four 5 in (130 mm) unguided rockets.[16][17] The "kneeling" nose gear was omitted from the F2H-2 and most subsequent Banshee variants.[8]

Further development

The F2H-2 was the basis for three sub-variants. The F2H-2B had strengthened wings and an additional pylon adjacent to the intake on the port side to allow it to carry a 1,650 lb (750 kg) Mark 7 nuclear bomb or a 3,230 lb (1,470 kg) Mark 8 nuclear bomb.[18][19] To compensate for the increased load, the F2H-2B was fitted with stiffer landing gear struts and a pilot-switchable aileron power boost.[20] The latter was necessary to control the roll to the left when a heavy nuclear bomb was carried. One cannon was removed to provide room for the electronics needed to arm the weapon.[21] 25 F2H-2Bs were built.[11]

The F2H-2N was the U.S. Navy's first carrier-based jet night fighter, making its first flight on 3 February 1950, although only 14 would be built.[11][19] It had a 2 ft 10 in (0.86 m) longer nose that housed a Sperry Corporation AN/APS-19 radar which required that the cannons be moved back to make room. An F2H-2N was returned to McDonnell to serve as the prototype for the enlarged F2H-3.[18] Some F2H-2Ns retained the "kneeling" nose feature of the earlier F2H-1.[22]

The F2H-2P

range for a jet aircraft, high ceiling of 48,500 ft (14,800 m), and speed that made it difficult to intercept even by other jet aircraft.[25] As a result, the F2H-2P was responsible for supplying roughly 40% of the United States Air Force (USAF) Fifth Air Force's daytime reconnaissance needs.[26]

F2H-3 with larger radar and repositioned guns and tailplane

The F2H-3 was an all-weather fighter, with a larger diameter

in-flight refueling probe that replaced the upper port cannon. 250 were built, with the first flight being made on March 29 1952.[23]

The final variant to be produced was the F2H-4. It had a Hughes AN/APG-37 radar and slightly more powerful Westinghouse J34-WE-38 3,600 lbf (16,000 N) engines that increased the aircraft's service ceiling to 56,000 ft (17,000 m).[28][23] The F2H-4 was externally indistinguishable from the F2H-3.

McDonnell also created at least 48 proposals, including a long range escort fighter (Model 24H), a two-seat night fighter (Model 24N), a two-seat trainer (Model 24P), a two seat interceptor (Model 24Q), several single seat interceptors (models 24R & 24S), multiple variants with lengthened fuselages, alternate wings and tails, swept wings (model 24J, and others) and afterburners (model 24K, 24L and others), and various engine (model 24W, and others) and radar installations (model 24Y, and others), few of which were built. Plans for adding afterburners were canceled after a test aircraft suffered extensive damage to the wing and tail after the afterburners were lit.[29] An F2H-3P reconnaissance variant was proposed to replace the F2H-2P, but was ultimately not built.[23]

On 24 September 1953, production of the Banshee was ended following the delivery of 895 aircraft.[9] Under the 1962 unified designation system surviving F2H-3 and F2H-4 were redesignated F-2C and F-2D respectively. The F-2A and F-2B designations were never assigned, as the F2H-1 and F2H-2 had already been retired.[30] No Banshee flew under the new designations as the last examples were already in storage when the new designations came into effect.[citation needed]

Operational history

US Navy and Marine Corps

Banshees on USS Coral Sea in 1955
F2H making a bombing run over Korea

The F2H-2 served during the

Task Force 77 and the Marine Corps. On 23 August 1951, a Banshee flew the type's first combat mission in the Korean theatre from USS Essex.[31] The F2H-2 initially proved its worth as an escort fighter for the USAF bombers supporting United Nations Command (UNC) ground forces, largely due to its favourable performance when flown at high altitude.[citation needed] The Banshee was able to demonstrate clear performance advantages over the Grumman F9F Panther.[19]

From mid-1950, the F2H-2 had negligible exposure to hostile aircraft over Korea, due to several factors. During the opening weeks of the war, the North Korean air force had been almost completely annihilated by UNC fighter units. Later, North Korea and its allies were unable to operate from airfields near combat zones in South Korea, forcing them to operate out of air bases in China. As a result of their air superiority throughout most of 1950, UNC squadrons were able to carry out ground attack missions instead, especially close air support and interdiction of North Korean army supply lines.[32]

The Banshee, like most naval jets of its generation, had a serious handicap. Naval air services, including the USN, had resisted faster,

Far East Air Forces.[32] Consequently, F2H fighters operated most of the war beyond the range of enemy fighters.[32] Banshee pilots scored no victories, while three F2H-2s were lost to anti-aircraft gunfire.[citation needed
]

The F2H-2P flew reconnaissance missions during the Korean War, primarily with the USMC. At that time of the war, surface-to-air missiles had not yet been deployed and few enemy aircraft had radar, while AA guns were ineffective against fast, high-altitude targets. Air defense was still largely visual, and so a lone high-flying F2H-2P was almost impossible for ground forces to shoot down. The aircraft was in demand for its invaluable battlefield photography. F2H-2Ps had USAF fighter escorts when in areas frequented by enemy fighters. Despite being deployed constantly throughout the war, only two F2H-2Ps were lost to radar-directed AA gunfire, and suffered no air-to-air losses.

The USN deployed the radar-equipped F2H-3 and F2H-4 for all-weather fleet defense after the Korean War as a stopgap measure until the swept wing Grumman F-9 Cougar and McDonnell F3H Demon, and delta wing Douglas F4D Skyray could be deployed. Later Banshee variants were only briefly on the front lines and saw no action. Similarly, the F2H-2P was superseded by the F9F-8P (later RF-9J) variant of the F9F Cougar and the F8U-1P (later RF-8A) variant of the Vought F8U Crusader as these aircraft became available.

During 1954, a Banshee flew coast-to-coast, nonstop without refueling, approximately 1,900 miles (3,100 km) from

NAS Cecil Field, Florida, in approximately four hours.[25]

During the Korean War, the US was concerned about the lack of intelligence available should there be a war in Europe involving the Soviet Union, in particular on the location of airfields. The US Navy's "Operation Steve Brody", with four F2H-2P photo reconnaissance Banshees were to fly from a carrier on routine maneuvers off Greece and fly north, photographing Russian territory bordering the Black Sea. In May 1952, this was presented to Secretary of Defense Robert A. Lovett, but Lovett canceled it.[25]

Later, during 1955, fears of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan led to Marine F2H-2Ps performing 27 overflights of possible Chinese staging areas without incident, escorted by Marine fighter Banshees based in South Korea.[25]

Royal Canadian Navy

Three Royal Canadian Navy McDonnell Banshee fighters in flight
RCN Banshees overfly HMCS Bonaventure.

During 1951, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) drafted a $40 million deal for 60 new Banshees to replace its obsolete fleet of Hawker Sea Furies.[33][34] However, the purchase was not approved by the Parliament of Canada until 1953, by which point production of the Banshee had been terminated. Accordingly, the RCN acquired 39 second-hand US Navy F2H-3s for $25 million which were delivered between 1955 and 1958. They would be flown from HMCS Bonaventure or as NORAD interceptors from shore bases.

In order to improve the Banshee as an interceptor, the RCN equipped their aircraft with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. During November 1959, the RCN conducted sea trials of the Sidewinder, resulting in the successful downing of several remotely piloted

drones.[35]

Although initially well-liked by its Canadian pilots for its flying qualities, the Banshee began to suffer from problems. The RCN would eventually lose 12 of its original 39 Banshees to accidents, a loss rate of 30.8%.[35] One Banshee and its pilot were lost after an inflight failure of the folding wing mechanism, and another Banshee suffered a brake failure and rolled off the carrier's deck into the ocean, drowning its pilot.[36]

Banshee utilization fell as the RCN shifted to

Grumman CS2F Trackers to conduct around-the-clock ASW patrols, so it regularly operated without them.[36] The Canadian military was also under pressure to reduce its budget, and the obsolescent Banshees were expensive to maintain as their age, punishing carrier service, and the harsh North Atlantic, were taking their toll. Having been the only jet-powered carrier-based fighters deployed by the RCN, the last examples were retired without replacement during September 1962.[37]

Banshees were the primary aircraft of the short-lived RCN

airshows
, so the team flew available operational Banshees for each show.

Aside from the three former RCN Banshees that survive, RCN Banshees were cut up for scrap or burned in firefighting exercises upon their retirement.[35]

Variants

Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1951.
XF2H-1 (XF2D-1)
Prototype aircraft (originally designated XF2D-1), three built.[38][39]
F2H-1
Single-seat fighter version, two 3,000 lbf (1,400 kgf) Westinghouse J34-WE-22 turbojet engines. Initial production version, 56 built.[9][39]
F2H-2
Improved version with detachable wingtip fuel tanks, eight underwing weapons pylons for 1,580 lb (454 kg) stores capability, 3,250 lbf (1,475 kgf) Westinghouse J34-WE-34 turbojet engines. Second production version, 308 built.[9]
F2H-2B
Single-seat fighter-bomber version, strengthened portside weapons pylon for 3,230 lb (1,465 kg) Mark 8 nuclear bomb, 25 built.[9]
F2H-2N
Single-seat night fighter version with APS-19 radar housed in lengthened nose, 14 built.[9]
F2H-2P
Single-seat photo-reconnaissance version with lengthened nose housing six cameras, 89 built.[9][18][20]
F2H-3 (F-2C)
Single-seat all-weather fighter version, lengthened fuselage, redesigned tail, increased fuel capacity, eight underwing weapons pylons for 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) bomb load, APQ-41 radar in enlarged nose. 250 built.[9][18][20] Redesignated as F-2C in 1962.
F2H-3P
Proposed photo-reconnaissance version of the F2H-3; not built.[40]
F2H-4 (F-2D)
Improved all-weather fighter version, 3,600 lbf (16,000 N) thrust Westinghouse J34-WE-38 turbojet engines, APG-37 radar, otherwise similar to F2H-3. Final production version, 150 built.[9][18][20] Redesignated as F-2D in 1962.
F2H-5
Unofficial designation for unbuilt proposed swept-wing version with wings, tail and afterburners similar to those of the
XF-88 Voodoo.[41]

Operators

RCN Banshee banking, showing enlarged horizontal tail with extensions characteristic of the F2H-3 and -4
VF-171 F2H-3 landing on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
 Canada
 United States
RCN Banshee at Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Aircraft on display

Surviving examples are on display in private collections and at several naval air stations and marine corps air stations in the United States as well as in Canada.

Canada

F2H-3

United States

National Museum of Naval Aviation
F2H-2
F2H-2P
F2H-4

Specifications (F2H-3)

3-view line drawing of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee
3-view line drawing of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee

Data from McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920,[56] Combat Aircraft since 1945,[57] U.S. Navy Standard Aircraft Characteristics,[58] except as noted

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 580 mph (930 km/h, 500 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 461 mph (742 km/h, 401 kn)
  • Combat range: 1,168 mi (1,880 km, 1,015 nmi) on internal fuel
  • Ferry range: 1,710 mi (2,760 km, 1,490 nmi) with two 170-gal drop tanks
  • Service ceiling: 47,000 ft (14,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)

Armament
or
  • 6 × 500 lb (230 kg) bombs and 2 × 60 lb (27 kg) H.E. rockets
or

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Citations

  1. ^ Mesko 2002, p. 48.
  2. ^ O'Rourke, G.G, CAPT USN. "Of Hosenoses, Stoofs, and Lefthanded Spads". United States Naval Institute Proceedings, July 1968.
  3. ^ Burgess 2022, p. 9.
  4. ^ Burgess 2022, pp. 10-11.
  5. ^ Mesko 2002, p. 10.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Burgess 2022, p. 11.
  7. ^ a b Mills 1991, p. 227.
  8. ^ a b Mesko 2002, p. 12.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Francillon 1979, pp. 427–429.
  10. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 427.
  11. ^ a b c Ginter 1980, p. 3.
  12. ^ Burgess 2022, pp. 11-12.
  13. ^ Barlow 1994, p. 42.
  14. ^ Wolk 2003, p. 163.
  15. ^ Wagner 1982, p. 504.
  16. ^ a b F2H-2 Standard Aircraft Characteristics chart dated 1 November 1949.
  17. ^ a b Burgess 2022, p. 12.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Mesko 2002, p. 22.
  19. ^ a b c Burgess 2022, p. 7.
  20. ^ a b c d Mills 1991, p. 229.
  21. ^ Mills 1991, p. 238.
  22. ^ Mills 1991, p. 228.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g Ginter 1980, p. 6.
  24. ^ Mesko 2002, p. 27.
  25. ^ a b c d Polmar 2010, pp. 12–14.
  26. ^ Ginter 1980, p. 12.
  27. ^ Burgess 2022, p. 8.
  28. ^ Mesko 2002, p. 46.
  29. ^ Mills 1991, p. 230.
  30. ^ "McDonnell F2H-3/F-2C Banshee". www.joebaugher.com. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  31. ^ Burgess 2022, p. 6.
  32. ^ a b c Jackson 1998, p. unk.
  33. ^ Ireland, 2008, p. 232.
  34. ^ Mackay 1991, p. 28.
  35. ^ a b c Cook, D. Glenn. "Aircraft on display: McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee 126464". Archived 2008-03-09 at the Wayback Machine Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 2009. Retrieved: 1 March 2009.
  36. ^ a b Snowie 1987, p. unk.
  37. ^ Snowie 1987, pp. 152-155.
  38. ^ Andrade 1979, p. 186.
  39. ^ a b Andrade 1979, p. 189.
  40. ^ Andrade 1979, p. 190.
  41. ^ Thomason 2007, p. 128.
  42. ^ "VF-92 Silverkings"., Squadron History, 2005. Retrieved: 24 October 2009.
  43. ^ "Skyhawk Association Home Page". Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine U.S.A. Navy A-4 Skyhawk Units, VA-152 Fighting Aces, 2009. Retrieved: 24 October 2009.
  44. ^ "Skyhawk Association Home Page". Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine U.S.A. Navy A-4 Skyhawk Units, VA-172 Blue Bolts, 2009. Retrieved: 24 October 2009.
  45. ^ "McDonnell F2H-2 'Banshee'". Archived 2007-11-08 at the Wayback Machine Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum, 2008. Retrieved: 1 March 2009.
  46. ^ "F2H Banshee/126334." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 8 April 2015.
  47. ^ "F2H Banshee/126402." Archived 2006-10-13 at the Wayback Machine Shearwater Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 29 October 2012.
  48. ^ "F2H Banshee/126464." Archived 2013-10-16 at the Wayback Machine Canada Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 29 October 2012.
  49. ^ "F2H Banshee/124988." Archived 2017-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Flying Letherneck Museum. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
  50. ^ "F2H Banshee/125052." USS Lexington Museum. Retrieved: 29 October 2012.
  51. ^ "F2H Banshee/127693." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
  52. ^ "F2H Banshee/125690" Archived 2014-05-22 at the Wayback Machine Pima Air & Space Museum Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
  53. ^ "F2H Banshee/126673." National Naval Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
  54. ^ "F2H Banshee/128885." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 8 April 2015.
  55. ^ "F2H Banshee/126419." Archived 2017-02-11 at the Wayback Machine National Naval Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
  56. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 432.
  57. ^ Wilson 2000, p. 90.
  58. ^ Standard Aircraft Characteristics: F2H-3,-4 Banshee 1951.
  59. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 1 March 2021.[permanent dead link]
  60. ^ Mesko 2002, p. 37.

Bibliography

External links

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