F2H-2

F2H-2

F7F-1

F9F-2

360://https://old-wiki.warthunder.com/images/4/46/Cockpit_f2h-2.jpg

F2H-2

F7F-1

F9F-2

USA

V Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
7.3	7.3	8.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Naval aircraft

Research:82 000

Purchase:240 000

Description

The Banshee first started life as the XFD-1 Phantom (not to be confused with the F-4 Phantom II) in the very late stages of World War 2. It was intended to be used during the planned invasion of Japan in 1946. A decent number of Phantoms were built, but they were quickly out of service when the far improved XF2D-1 Banshee was designed. It was more powerful and had more range thanks to its better engines and larger airframe. The F2H-2 Banshee was the second production variant of the Banshee. It had provisions for more fuel tanks and better engines than the F2H-1. The Westinghouse J34-WE-34 engine provided an 8% increase in thrust and allowed for more pylons to be added to the airframe. This would also be the most produced variant, with over 300 being built.

The F2H-2 Banshee was introduced in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals". The F2H-2 Banshee is a fantastic jet fighter with great overall speed and good manoeuvrability. The Banshee is a very stable platform at high speeds. With a structural speed limit of just under 1,000 km/h (621 mph), the Banshee can easily out-dive many early jet fighters. Furthermore, the Banshee comes armed with four chin-mounted 20 mm cannons, which are devastating to enemy aircraft with the air target belt. Overall, this jet is one of the best early US jets; its BR coupled with its very good performance make it a very pleasant aircraft to fly and grind the whole US air tree.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear

Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Max speed

at 0 m933 km/h

Turn time26 s

Max altitude14 965 m

Engine2 х Westinghouse J34-WE-34

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight11 t

The F2H-2 Banshee is a carrier-based jet fighter aircraft. The plane is powered by the Westinghouse J34-WE-34 engine, the same that can be found in the F3D-1, although it is over 90 km/h faster than the former in level flight at sea level, it can reach 933 km/h. The Banshee is significantly faster than the F-80C and slower than jets from other nations, the Yak-30, M.D.452, J29 or export versions of the F-84G, also the structural speed which is 994 km/h is lower than their maximum level speed, so it can struggle with catching up to them. Its level acceleration is decent, it varies a lot on the fuel amount since the plane carries a lot of it and when there is 30 minutes or less left it is very comparable to jets at similar battle rating, but any F-86 or MiG-15 version will easily outperform it. When it comes to climbing it can start struggling against any other planes, when the plane is fully loaded it is only 27 m/s and increases to ~37 m/s when there is only 20 minutes (30%) of fuel left. The F2H can fly for around 30 minutes at 100% of power, then it can start to overheat. There is no time limit for flying at 94%.

The manoeuvrability is also decent: at low and medium speed it can give a hard time to jets with swept wings and some other like the F-84G, performing a full horizontal circle will take 25 seconds at 1000 m with full fuel tanks and around 20 seconds with 20 minutes of fuel. The flaps also can decrease the turn time by 20% but their drawback is their quite low speed limit. The plane will suffer from high speed compressibility near 1000 km/h IAS. Since it is a carrier-based jet, its stall speed is low: it varies from 185 to 205 km/h IAS, depending on the weight. The positive and negative G limit for wings are very low, the plane can suffer from wing failure after reaching close to 9G with full loadout. When rolling, it can reach up to 100 degrees per second at 600 km/h IAS and it is mediocre below 300 km/h IAS, 50 degrees per second and lower. The Banshee has also access to airbrakes which can help during landing or in combat situations to slow down the plane.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	910	884	14965	26.8	27.8	21.6	20.2	670
Upgraded	947	933		25.8	26.0	33.9	27.4

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
994	342	325	325	325	~8	~3

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 620	< 650	< 700	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Empty mass			Wing loading (full fuel)
Westinghouse J34-WE-34		2	5,620 kg			335 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)					Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		20m fuel	30m fuel	45m fuel	60m fuel	69m fuel
600 kg	Axial-flow turbojet		6,674 kg	7,178 kg	7,980 kg	8,689 kg	9,142 kg	11,000 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	20m fuel	30m fuel	45m fuel	60m fuel	69m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	1,469 kgf	N/A	0.44	0.41	0.37	0.34	0.32	0.27
Optimal	1,469 kgf (0 km/h)	N/A	0.44	0.41	0.37	0.34	0.32	0.27

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural994 km/h

Gear342 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 238 → 4 338

RB8 838 → 11 842

SB11 505 → 15 416

Total cost of modifications71 200

116 000

Talisman cost1 900

Crew training68 000

Experts240 000

Aces1 400

Research Aces620 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

120 / 330 / 600 %

184 / 184 / 184 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 800 250 Compressor Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 800 250 New boosters Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 600 280 Wings repair Research: 5 900 Cost: 9 600 310 Engine Research: 5 900 Cost: 9 600 310 G-suit Research: 5 800 Cost: 9 500 310	Airframe Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 600 280 Cover Research: 5 800 Cost: 9 500 310	FSBC mk.5 Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 800 250 anm3_belt_pack Research: 5 300 Cost: 8 600 280 FRC mk.2 Research: 5 900 Cost: 9 600 310 anm3_new_gun Research: 5 800 Cost: 9 500 310 FMBC mk.1 Research: 5 800 Cost: 9 500 310

Compressor and Engine are always useful upgrades and all acceleration unlocks are a top priority. Given the uniqueness of the AN/M3 armament New 20 mm cannons and G-Suit should be preferable tier 4 goals. The stock belts are better than any other type of ammo, due to more two times more HEFI-T inside of them, but for the improved cannons, they need to be researched, albeit that can wait past the G-Suit. To help with the manoeuvrability issues, boosters should be considered a priority as well.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The F2H-2 is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm M3 cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

Suspended armament

The F2H-2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
250 lb AN-M57 bombs				1*	1	1	1*
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs					1*	1*
HVAR rockets		1	1	1*	1	1	1*	1	1
200 gal drop tanks	1†									1†
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 300 kg
* 500 lb bombs cannot be equipped with ordnance in the adjacent hardpoint † Drop tanks can only be equipped simultaneously.

Default weapon presets
2 x 200 gal drop tanks 8 x HVAR rockets 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total) 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

The Banshee is first in the US naval jet lineup and possesses many characteristics that make it a fantastic start for jet players.

Some tips to use it effectively are:

• Staying at a high altitude (side-climbing)
• Avoiding/evading higher-flying prop and jet planes (Stay aware of your surroundings and watch for enemy fighters)
• Using Boom & Zoom or Hit & Run tactics

In AB, the F2H is actually quite mediocre. Its high BR makes it liable to be put with superior jets such as the Me-262 (which has unlimited fuel, as is characteristic of AB) or the F-86 Sabre.

AB will initially be frustrating as the un-upgraded Banshee is a very poor performer. Its cannons jam, it has a relatively poor climb rate, and acceleration is poor as well.

Once upgraded, however, the Banshee can be a very effective and useful plane.

The F2H-2 is most effectively used as an energy fighter. It has great energy retention, turns well, and accelerates quite well once fully researched. However, the stock Banshee is terrible compared to super-props such as the Tempest Mk II, F8F-1B, La-9, and others. Therefore, it is recommended to climb at the beginning of a match to at least 4-6 km as the Banshee performs extremely well at these altitudes. However, keep in mind that evasion of superior planes such as the F8F-1B or the MiG-15 is key. Once optimal altitude is reached, Boom & Zoom can be employed. The F2H has sluggish controls at speeds below 482 km/h (300 mph) so try to maintain above that speed in level flight. But when facing super-props, low-speed stability coupled with an airbrake makes the Banshee an extremely good prop-killer.

If you are unlucky, you will face the F-86A and MiG-15 in some battles, be sure to avoid them at all costs as they climb far better than the Banshee and have superior top speed.

Unfortunately, like most other jets, modifications take a long while to grind. Go for anything that increases the Banshee's climb rate. Leave the cannon ammo belts alone because default has the most HE shells (besides Stealth), and research the New Cannons modification; It will markedly improve the terrible spread of the cannon.

The cockpit of the F2H-2 is fantastic- the bubble canopy provides good visibility to the front and back of the aircraft.

Even with good advantages as a starting jet fighter (if you went with the Naval Line of USA Fighters), it has some disadvantages going up against MiG-15's and MiG-17's. It can certainly outrun La-174's and La-15's with splendid ease, but it will never be able to outrun a MiG once it's on your tail. As for MiG-9's, they can't outrun the Banshee but can probably out-turn it if the MiG-9 pilot is properly trained and experienced.

It's best used as a support fighter in EVERY situation unless you are down-tiered and you are put against Ho-229's and Me-262's. In this case, you can become an aggressive fighter and easily score some kills. Although if you are put up against MiG-17's, MiG-15's and La-15's, best prepare yourself to side-climb and get behind your allies. Get some altitude and be patient to pursue MiG's that are either chasing Hunters or Sabres or an unfortunate bomber.

A good recommendation is that you should never go for IL-28s alone. Other recommendations are that you should never take rockets or bombs unless you're in a squad and you bomb points together. It is NOT recommended either way. Another tip is to try holding your speed and use airbrakes when being tailed by a MiG.

Radars

The F2H-2 is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft. It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
Maximum Tracking Range	Minimum Tracking Range	Azimuth Tracking Angle	Elevation Tracking Angle
2,750 m	300 m	±9°	±9°

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Amazing firepower (especially when spaded)
• Very good energy retention
• Good sustained turn rate
• Landing hook for carriers

Cons:

• Cannon jams quickly and are very inaccurate when stock
• Large turn radius
• Poor acceleration
• Poor instantaneous turn rate

History

The twin-engine F2H Banshee was a follow up to McDonnell's successful FH-1 Phantom and was designed to become the Navy's next carrier-borne aircraft. The two aircraft appear very similar but the F2H was improved in several ways. Primary upgrades include larger airframe, heavier armament, and better power-plants. Nearly 800 Banshees were built for the Navy and Marine Corps during the early 1950s.

The Banshee saw use in Korea with the Navy and Marines escorting Air Force B-29s on bombing missions but would never encounter an enemy fighter throughout the whole war. As a fighter/bomber, the Banshee saw limited use, but the greatest role the F2H performed in the war was doing reconnaissance over hostile territory. A majority of the F2H's service took place in the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans but its appeal came from its ability to go unnoticed by enemy forces and would primarily serve recon or escort purposes. The Navy and Marine Corps would retire the Banshee from active service around the early 1960s and would replace it with aircraft such as the F9F Cougar, F3H Demon, and the F4D Skyray. In the 1950s several refurbished Banshees were purchased by the Canadian government where they saw limited service on the HMCS Bonaventure until the early 1960s when they were finally retired from military service.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the F2H-2 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

  The Banshee in flight with other identical aircraft.

• 

  F2H attacking swarm of Me 262s in test flight mode.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
Jet Fighters	F2H-2 · F3H-2
	F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II
	F-15A · F-15C MSIP II · F-15E
Strike Aircraft	AV-8B Plus · AV-8B (NA)
Helicopters	AH-6M
Export/Licensed
Aircraft	◄F-4F Early · ◄F-4F · ◄F-4F KWS LV · Phantom FG.1 · Phantom FGR.2 · F-4J(UK) Phantom II · F-4EJ Phantom II · F-4EJ ADTW · Kurnass · Kurnass 2000
	F-15J · F-15J(M) · Baz · Baz Meshupar · F-15I Ra’am
	▄AV-8B Plus
Helicopters	Lahatut
	The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation merged with Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Later it was merged with The Boeing Company in 1997.
See Also	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries