Warplanes of the USA: McDonnell F2H Banshee

(USN Photo)

A McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee fighter (BuNo 124974) from fighter squadron VF-172 Night Owls, Carrier Air Group Five (CVG-5), being brought up to the flight deck aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) on 25 August 1951. The Essex was deployed to Korea from 26 June 1951 to 25 March 1952. Note the names of the plane's pilot (Lt. Dauphin) and the plane captain (Carter AO3) painted below the cockpit. A Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopter of helicopter utility squadron HU-1 Det. B Pacific Fleet Angels is visible in the background.

The McDonnell F2H Banshee (companydesignation McDonnell Model 24) is a single-seat carrier-based jet fighteraircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer McDonnellAircraft. It was an early jet fighter operated by United States Navy and UnitedStates Marine Corps, as well as being the only jet-powered fighter to ever bedeployed by the Royal Canadian Navy.[1] The aircraft's name is derived from thebanshee of Irish mythology.

The Banshee was developed during the mid to late 1940s. It was a derivative ofthe earlier FH Phantom, although the resulting aircraft would be considerablylarger, more heavily armed, and furnished with far more powerful engines in theform of a pair of Westinghouse J34 turbojets. The Banshee incorporated severalrecent innovations, including a pressurized cockpit, "kneeling" noselanding gear and an ejection seat, which the Phantom lacked, as well as a largenumber of improvements to other aircraft systems. On 11 January 1947, the firstprototype performed its maiden flight. During August 1948, the first F2H-1, theinitial production model, was completed. The F2H-2 was the basis for threesub-variants; the nuclear-armed F2H-2B, the F2H-2N night fighter, and theF2H-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 largelyattributed to its use of a straight wing rather than a swept wingconfiguration. Nevertheless, several variants were procured; the F2H-2N was thefirst carrier-based jet-powered night fighter flown by the U.S. Navy, albeitonly in limited numbers, while the F2H-2P was also the service's firstjet-powered reconnaissance aircraft. US Navy and Marine pilots often referredto the F2H as the "Banjo".[2] It was one of the primary Americanfighters used during the Korean War, typically being flown as an escort fighterand reconnaissance aircraft. Radar-equipped Banshees were also used forall-weather fleet defense. Furthermore, during 1955, 27 overflights ofpotential Chinese staging areas were conducted by USMC Banshees in response toa possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

During the mid 1950s, the U.S. Navy and USMC began retiring their Banshees infavour of newer and more capable jet aircraft, such as the swept wing GrummanF-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 CanadianNavy as production of the Banshee was terminated in 1953. Introduced toCanadian service in 1955, the type became the sole fighter operated followingthe retirement of the piston-engined Hawker Sea Fury. It operated at sea fromHMCS Bonaventure or from shore bases as NORAD interceptor aircraft. Amid a reorientationtowards anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and reduced value being placed on fighteroperations, as well as decreasing reliability, Canada opted to withdraw itslast Banshees without any direct replacement in September 1962. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee from fighter Squadron VF-11 Red Rippers fly over the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CV-33) following a combat mission. Kearsarge was deployed to Korea with Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101) from 11 August 1952 to 17 March 1953.

(USN Photo)

McDonnell F2H-1 Banshee (BuNo. 122537).

(NACA Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-1 Banshee (BuNo 122450) at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Langley, Virginia, 9 March 1951: The McDonnell F2H-1 Banshee probably would have had a longer NACA Langley career. However, it was written off in a landing accident on 12 July 1951.

(NMUSN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-1 Banshee with Zuni rockets in transportable launchers mounted under the wings of a jet aircraft. Greater speed in re-arming planes as they return to their bases, as well as considerable savings of money, results from the use of special launcher by eliminating the need for conventional backing grates, 29 March 1957.

(NMNA Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee and a F2H-2P in flight near St. Louis, Missouri, c1953.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at sea in 1955 during a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea between March and September 1955. Visible are the aircraft of Carrier Air Group 17 (CVG-17): McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee fighters of fighter squadron VF-172 Blue Bolts (painted dark blue), F2H-3 Banshees of VF-171 Aces on the catapults (painted light grey/white), and two North American AJ-1 Savage bombers parked on the port aft flight deck. On the ramp some four Douglas AD Skyraiders are parked. CVG-17's tailcode "R" is clearly visible. The destroyer in the background appears to be USS Borie (DD-704).

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee (BuNo 125699) from Composite Squadron VC-61 Det.A "Eyes of the Fleet" in flight near Southern California. VC-61 Det.A was assigned to Carrier Air Group 2 (CVG-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 3 November 1954 to 21 June 1955.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee of Composite Squadron 62 (VC-62) "Fighting Photos" in flight over the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) on 27 January 1953. VC-62 Det.7 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 17 (CVG-17) aboard the Franklin D. Roosevelt for a deployment to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea from 26 August to 19 December 1952.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshees (BuNos. 124954, and 124969) of Fighter Squadron 172 (VF-172) "Blue Bolts" returning to the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). VF-172 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard the Essex for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Korea from from 26 June 1951 to 25 March 1952. Note: All other aircraft of CVG-5 had the tail code "S" during that deployment, but VF-172's tail code was "R".

(Tequask Photo)

US Navy F2H-2 Banshee, VF-34, (BuNo 125011), on display at Keesler AFB's Armed Forces Day, May 1954.

(USN Photo)

McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee of Photo Squadron VC-62 climbs into the skies over Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. The aircraft left the station on 21 January 1953.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (BuNo. 125663) of Fighter Squadron 11 (VF-11) "Red Rippers" over Wonsan (Korea) on 20 October 1952. VF-11 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CV-33) during the deployment to Korea from 11 August 1952 to 17 March 1953. The pilot of this plane was Ensign Buffkin. CVG-101 was redesignated CVG-14 on 4 February 1953.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H Banshee fighters over Korea on 5 January 1953. The plane in front (PP-33) is a F2H-2P reconnaissance aircraft from photographic squadron VC-61 Det. F Eyes of the Fleet. The other plane (T-110) is a F2H-2 fighter from fighter squadron VF-11 Red Rippers. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 14 (CVG-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CV-33) during the deployment to Korea from 11 Aug 1952 to 17 Mar 1953.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (BuNo. 123222) in flight near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, ca early 1950s.

(USN Photo)

Three U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (BuNos. 124971, 124972, and 124982) of Fighter Squadron VF-172 Blue Bolts being serviced by maintenance personnel are on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) operating off the coast of Korea. Between 23 and 25 August 1951, VF-172 aircraft went into action for the first time. During one mission, in company with VF-51 F9F-2s, they escorted U.S. Air Force Boeing B-29s on high-altitude bombing missions over North Korea. VF-172 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard the Essex for a deployment to Korea from 26 June 1951 to 25 March 1952.

(USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) operating off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 9 February 1955, shortly after her SCB-27C modernization.  McDonnell F2H Banshee jet fighters are on her flight deck.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee with a Sidewinder missile loaded on the ground at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) China Lake, California, on 17 July 1957.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (BuNo. 123222) of Fighter Squadron VF-62 "Gladiators" aboard the deck edge elevator of the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) off Korea. VF-62 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 4 (CVG-4) aboard the Lake Champlain for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and Korea from 26 April to 4 December 1953.

(USMC Photo)

Two U.S. Marine Corps McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee from Marine Photographic Squadron 2 (VMJ-2) in flight, circa in 1953.

(USMC Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee, photographic aircraft with examples of the cameras carried.

(USMC Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee photographic aircraft (BuNo 128881) used by Marine photographic squadron VMJ-1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, after photographing enemy installations around the Yalu River in Korea on 15 May 1953. Another F2H-2P and a Grumman F7F Tigercat are parked in the background.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee (BuNo. 125008), Oakland, California.

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

United States

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F2H-2

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

(Jerry Gunner Photo)

(Author Photos)
BuNo 124988 – Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, MCAS Miramar, California.

(Author Photos)

BuNo 125052 – USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi, Texas.

(Author Photos)
BuNo 127693 – NAS Oceana Air Park at NAS Oceana, Virginia. McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee (BuNo. 127693), AD-601, C/N 327.

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F2H-2P

(Eric Salard Photo)

(aeroprints.com Photo)

BuNo 125690 – Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)
BuNo 126673 – National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

(Len Mozey Photos)
BuNo 128885 – Howell Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

F2H-4

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)
BuNo 127663 – National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola,Florida. Painted as F2H-3 126419.

Canada

(Greg Goebel Photo)

A Royal Canadian Navy McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee (U.S. Navy BuNo. 126392) armed with bombs in flight. The aircraft was delivered to the RCN on 26 November 1955 and retired on 14 February 1962.

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F2H-3

(Author Photo)
BuNo 126334 – The Military Museums, in Calgary, Alberta. McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee, RCN (Serial No. 126334), preserved in the Naval Museum of Alberta, Military Museums, Calgary, Alberta.  126334 was delivered to the RCN on 4 July 1956.  It made the last flight by an RCN Banshee (and perhaps the last flight of any Banshee) on 10 Jan 1956 when it was flown to the Southern Alberta (Calgary) Institute of Technology as a ground instructional airframe.  It was later displayed on in front of HMCS Tecumseh, the Naval Reserve Division in Calgary.  In 2007 it went on display inside the the Naval Museum of Alberta, Calgary.

(Author Photo)
BuNo 126402 – Shearwater Aviation Museum in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee, RCN (Serial No. 126402), coded 100, was delivered to the RCN on 13 March 1957.  It was retired from service on 12 Sep 1962.  In 2007 it went on display at the Shearwater Aviation Museum, Nova Scotia.

(Author Photo)
BuNo 126464 – Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee, RCN (Serial No. 126464), coded 464, previously coded 104, preserved in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.   126464 was delivered to the RCN on 14 Aug 1957.  It served until it was retired on 12 Sep 1962.  It came to the Canadian National Aviation Museum at Rockcliffe in 1997.  It has been with the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, since 2007.