THE F2H-2 BANSHEE BEFORE FLIGHT

Year Published: 1948

Format: 16mm

Description: This US Navy training film will take a look at the McDonnell F2H Banshee which was a single seat carrier-based jet fighter type air craft. The US Marine Corp and Navy deployed the craft from 1948 to 1961 and it was the primary American fighter used during the Korean War. The film opens with the craft in flight (:32). The F2H Banshee was powered by 2 axial flow Westinghouse J34 turbo jet engines (:41) and had a wingspan of about 45 feet (:52) with launchers on the wings for eight rockets or bombs (:57). The nose carried four 20 mm forward firing guns (1:01). The film then points to the craft on the ground (1:27) and informs viewers the ground procedure prior to flight is more important with jets than with any other craft. It breaks down the step by step process for pre-flight inspection, pre-starting, starting and run-up ground procedures (1:41). The first step is to be sure to park the plane against the shocks (2:03). The inspection of the exterior of the plane follows including checking the condition of the wings, fuselage, control surfaces and tires (2:21). All covers must be removed and all access doors must be closed and latched (2:38). Other special points that must be checked are the inlet air ducts (2:58), the condition of the brake pucks and pins (3:10), the edge of the wings (3:19) as well as the tailpipes of each engine (3:36). On the top side of the jet, the canopy release mechanism (3:52), seat catapult mechanism (4:00) and the pre-junction handles are all inspected by the pilot (4:09). Pilots then must move to the cockpit for inspection (4:14). Inside, the flight instruments on the main instrument panel are shown (4:26) as well as the left and right consoles (4:32). The pilot then gets strapped into his seat (4:42) and sets to adjusting the rudder pedals (4:47). He also checks the parachute, seat harness and oxygen gear (4:45). The G-suit must also be plugged in (5:02) and the pneumatic pressure gauge must be readied (5:06). After checking the brake pedals (5:26) the pilot goes through a check of all the controls (6:02) including circuit breakers and clock among others (6:50). Both wings are spread and locked (6:57) and the last step of the pre-starting routine is to make sure the inlet ducts and jet blast areas are clear (7:06). Beginning the process of starting the engine, the battery generator switch is set to the battery generator position (7:20) and the pilot moves the throttle into start detent (7:33). The fuel shut off valve for the number one engine is turned on (7:44) and the ignite switch must be hit and held while the throttle is brought forward into detent (7:48). Once the engine temperature reaches 400 to 500 degrees, the throttle is set into idle position (8:25) and this indicates the completion of a successful start. The film informs viewers the procedure for starting the second engine is the same (9:12) and after it is moved into the idle position as well (9:48). The run-up and ground procedure are to follow (10:03) including the turning on of the radio master switch (10:14) and check of fuel quantity and of the warning system (10:25). Once the aileron boost switch has been set to on (11:09) the ground procedures have been completed. The film wraps up with the reminder that good procedure leads to good and efficient use of the craft (11:18). This film was a part of the "Sea Power for Security" films (11:28) which were produced by the US Navy.

Complete Record: This US Navy training film will take a look at the McDonnell F2H Banshee which was a single seat carrier-based jet fighter type air craft. The US Marine Corp and Navy deployed the craft from 1948 to 1961 and it was the primary American fighter used during the Korean War. The film opens with the craft in flight (:32). The F2H Banshee was powered by 2 axial flow Westinghouse J34 turbo jet engines (:41) and had a wingspan of about 45 feet (:52) with launchers on the wings for eight rockets or bombs (:57). The nose carried four 20 mm forward firing guns (1:01). The film then points to the craft on the ground (1:27) and informs viewers the ground procedure prior to flight is more important with jets than with any other craft. It breaks down the step by step process for pre-flight inspection, pre-starting, starting and run-up ground procedures (1:41). The first step is to be sure to park the plane against the shocks (2:03). The inspection of the exterior of the plane follows including checking the condition of the wings, fuselage, control surfaces and tires (2:21). All covers must be removed and all access doors must be closed and latched (2:38). Other special points that must be checked are the inlet air ducts (2:58), the condition of the brake pucks and pins (3:10), the edge of the wings (3:19) as well as the tailpipes of each engine (3:36). On the top side of the jet, the canopy release mechanism (3:52), seat catapult mechanism (4:00) and the pre-junction handles are all inspected by the pilot (4:09). Pilots then must move to the cockpit for inspection (4:14). Inside, the flight instruments on the main instrument panel are shown (4:26) as well as the left and right consoles (4:32). The pilot then gets strapped into his seat (4:42) and sets to adjusting the rudder pedals (4:47). He also checks the parachute, seat harness and oxygen gear (4:45). The G-suit must also be plugged in (5:02) and the pneumatic pressure gauge must be readied (5:06). After checking the brake pedals (5:26) the pilot goes through a check of all the controls (6:02) including circuit breakers and clock among others (6:50). Both wings are spread and locked (6:57) and the last step of the pre-starting routine is to make sure the inlet ducts and jet blast areas are clear (7:06). Beginning the process of starting the engine, the battery generator switch is set to the battery generator position (7:20) and the pilot moves the throttle into start detent (7:33). The fuel shut off valve for the number one engine is turned on (7:44) and the ignite switch must be hit and held while the throttle is brought forward into detent (7:48). Once the engine temperature reaches 400 to 500 degrees, the throttle is set into idle position (8:25) and this indicates the completion of a successful start. The film informs viewers the procedure for starting the second engine is the same (9:12) and after it is moved into the idle position as well (9:48). The run-up and ground procedure are to follow (10:03) including the turning on of the radio master switch (10:14) and check of fuel quantity and of the warning system (10:25). Once the aileron boost switch has been set to on (11:09) the ground procedures have been completed. The film wraps up with the reminder that good procedure leads to good and efficient use of the craft (11:18). This film was a part of the "Sea Power for Security" films (11:28) which were produced by the US Navy.