A lesser-known version of the -2 was the F2H-2B. The effectiveness of -2Ps for Navy and Marine reconnaissance in Korea led to an additional 50 of these. An initial batch of eight photo F2H-2Ps followed, with armament removed and an even longer nose for cameras. With extended forward fuselages for night-fighter radar, 14 F2H-2Ns were built, the first in 1949. Typical for carrier day fighters, night-fighter and photo versions of the F2H were soon developed. While flying an F2H-1, a VF-171 pilot made the first American ejection seat escape, when failing to recover from a spiral dive in adverse weather. The -1s went to Fighter Squadron (VF) 171 replacing its FH-1 Phantoms, and later VF-172 in both squadrons they were replaced by -2s entering service in late 1949.
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By the time these were incorporated, uprated J34 engines partially offset the increased weight and brought the F2H-2 designation. These included a one-foot-longer fuselage for additional internal fuel and also droppable tip tanks.
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This change was made by Navy Aircraft Circular Letter 81-47 of 28 August 1947.ĭeliveries of production airplanes began in August 1948, with modifications initiated for future Banshees. Climb and high-altitude performance were particularly impressive to Navy evaluation pilots.īeginning its life as the XF2D-1, the Banshee was the last of McDonnell's aircraft to bear the company's original Navy designation letter "D". Cockpit pressurization and an ejection seat were by then standard, but inlet doors that could be closed for intentional or unintentional single-engine flight were unique. Not as obvious as the production design's removal of horizontal tail dihedral were other necessary changes, including thinner wings and tail surfaces and power-boosted ailerons. The XF2H airplanes were kept busy smoothing out design wrinkles, particularly with various aerodynamic problems as the design maximum speed was approached. Louis, Mo., and engine delivery delays, the first XF2D-1 finally flew in January 1947.Įarly flight tests justified a production order in March 1947, later increased to 56. With the war's end, McDonnell's move into the former Curtiss-Wright plant at Lambert Field, St. The major mock-up change was increasing the internal fuel capacity. With a similar overall configuration but having four 20mm cannon, the all new design made maximum use of experience gained with the XFD.Ĭontract go-ahead for three XF2D-1s (later XF2H-1s) in March 1945 followed specification negotiations, with mock-up inspections in April. The 3,000-pound thrust of the 24C (later designated J34) was nearly twice that of the 19B engines in its - and the Navy's - first jet fighter, the XFD-1, which would soon make its first flight. One of its proposals using two of Westinghouse's new 24C jet engines was selected for prototype development. McDonnell was one of three companies studying future carrier fighter designs for the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics using advanced piston-engine and prop, turbojet or turboprop propulsion. In addition to conventional items, pilot equipment includes an ejection seat and cabin pressurization.īanshee beginnings trace to fall 1944. The split flaps, speed brakes, and trim tabs are all electrically actuated. The control systems are conventional, with the exeption of the aileron system, which incorporates hydraulic boost.
#Mcdonnell f2h banshee engine types westinghouse j34 skin
Stressed metal skin construction is employed throughout with all surfaces being of the full cantilever type.
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Designed to be either land or carrier based, the airplane is equipped with an electronically actuated, fully retractable, tricycle landing gear, folding outer panels, an arresting hook with cable expelling mechanism, and conventional catapult equipment. In brief, the Model F2H-2 airplane is a single place, two engine, jet propelled, long range fighter incorporating droppable tip tanks. Today's long-time-retired Naval Aviators tend to recall rugged Panthers, while memories of those who flew "Banjos" tend toward the affectionate, emphasizing fine flight characteristics, especially for -2s. The -2's Korean combat service paralleled that of F9F Panthers, but the latter got the limelight. McDonnell's first jet fighter, the FD/FH Phantom, and North American's first carrier jet, the FJ Fury, got the first operational carrier jet fighter attention while later swept-wing and afterburner jets overshadowed the post-Korean service of Naval Aviation's first widely used all-weather jet fighters, F2H-3/4 Banshees. "Banjos" or "Big Banjos," McDonnell's F2H-1/2 and F2H-3/4 Banshee respectively, never seem to get the attention given other carrier jet fighters.