McDONNELL F2H-2 “BANSHEE” F-FIGHTER 2 – 2ND MODEL H – McDONNELL -2 – 2ND MODIFICATION  The prototype of the Banshee first flew 11 January 1947.  The Banshee followed its predecessor the FH-1 Phantom.  Fifty- six were built.  The advanced version, the F2H-2 first flew on 18 August 1949.  A total of 436 were built which includes 14 all weather fighters and 58 reconnaissance versions.  Production of the –2 version ceased in September of 1952 and was followed by the –3 and –4 configuration.  894 Banshees were built and remained in US service until 1959.  Marine fighting Squadrons; VMF-114, -122, -214, -533 and Marine Corps Reserve squadrons at EL Toro and Oakland/Alameda operated fighter versions of the Banshees.  Marine Utility Squadrons VMJ-1, -2 and Headquarters Squadron-2 (HEDRON-2) operated the Photo version of the F2H.   SPECIFICATIONS WING SPAN   44’ 10” WING AREA   294  SQ FT LENGTH   40’ 2” HEIGHT   14’ 4” EMPTY WEIGHT  11,146  LBS GROSS WEIGHT  22,312  LBS ENGINE   2 x WESTINGHOUSE J-34-W-34 THRUST    3,150  LBS MAX SPEED    532 MPH CRUISE SPEED   501 MPH CLIMB    3,190 FEET PER MINUTE RANGE    1475  NAUTICAL MILES ARMAMENT   4 x 20MM CANNONS     2 x 500 LBS BOMBS or     6 x 5” HIGH VELOCITY AIR ROCKET