McDonnell XF2H-1 Banshee
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1947 · fighter
The McDonnell XF2H-1 Banshee was the prototype of the F2H Banshee carrier-based jet fighter, the second jet aircraft procured by the US Navy and a key step in the transition from piston to jet power on US carriers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.68 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Prototype for production F2H Banshee carrier jet
- Twin Westinghouse J34 engines buried in wing roots
- Straight wing with mild sweep on prototype
A twin-engine jet with engines blended into the wing roots, a long pointed nose, and a mid-mounted straight wing; the nose-mounted air intake and twin-engine wing-root arrangement are characteristic.
Specifications
- The McDonnell XF2H-1 Banshee has a length of 14.68 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.67 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 933 km/h (580 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 11 January 1947, the XF2H-1 demonstrated the twin-engine layout with engines buried in the wing roots that became the Banshee's hallmark. The Navy was sufficiently impressed to order the F2H-1 into production, and the Banshee served prominently in the Korean War. McDonnell's ability to deliver a reliable carrier jet ahead of its competitors helped establish the company as a major naval aircraft supplier.
Variants
The XF2H-1 prototype led to the F2H-1, F2H-2, F2H-3, and F2H-4 production Banshees with progressive improvements in range, armament, and avionics.
Where you'll see it
The prototype itself was Navy test only; the production Banshee served with US Navy and Marine Corps squadrons and was exported to Canada as the CF-100 — no, the Banshee was supplied to the Royal Canadian Navy.
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- McDonnell F2H Banshee
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- Avia S-199
- Grumman F9F Panther
- Hawker Sea Fury FB.11
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