Intended adversary and role for the RCN's McDonnell F2H Banshee?

[Admiral Beez]

While I think the RCN's Banshee with Sidewinders looks amazing....

But considering the RCN's ASW mission into the Cold War, what was the intended adversary and role for the RCN's McDonnell F2H Banshee acquired from 1955 and 1958? Was HMCS Bonaventure planned to escort convoys to Europe and thus defend against the Soviet bombers in service in the 1950s and early 60s? The max speed of the Banshee is only a few mph above that of the Tupolev Tu-95. Without AEW nor onboard radar, how would a CAP be operated, did the carrier have a CIC or fighter director office?

 

[MIflyer]

Sidewinders can also be used air-to-ground and the missiles have even been hung on unlikely platforms such as the P-3 Orion and RAF Nimrod, which, incidentally, was painted that weird "Barley" color. Saw one at Patrick AFB and could not believe it.

 

[EwenS]

Sidewinders can also be used air-to-ground and the missiles have even been hung on unlikely platforms such as the P-3 Orion and RAF Nimrod, which, incidentally, was painted that weird "Barley" color. Saw one at Patrick AFB and could not believe it.

View attachment 738990

They were a rush fitment during the Falklands War in 1982.

 

[MIflyer]

They were a rush fitment during the Falklands War in 1982.

I rather think that the builders of the Comet had been looking for an excuse to shoot at Boeing 707's for some decades.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Sidewinders can also be used air-to-ground and the missiles have even been hung on unlikely platforms such as the P-3 Orion and RAF Nimrod

And the Nimrod is about as fast as the Banshee. Though we're about 30 years apart.

 

[ThomasP]

The Banshee was/day/night/all-weather capable. The F2H-2N night fighter variant had the APS-19 radar onboard, the F2H-3 had the APQ-41, while the F2H-4 had the APG-37. The APQ-41 could pick up a Bear size target at over 50 miles (farther on a good day).

 

[Admiral Beez]

The Banshee was/day/night/all-weather capable. The F2H-2N night fighter variant had the APS-19 radar onboard, the F2H-3 had the APQ-41, while the F2H-4 had the APG-37. The APQ-41 could pick up a Bear size target at over 50 miles (farther on a good day).

Is that the variant the RCN operated? Did the RCN's Banshees have the APS-19 or APQ-41 radar you mention?

I assumed that all radar-equipped fighters in the 1950s were two seaters. Can the pilot in a single seat Banshee operate the radar and effectively fly combat?

 

[ThomasP]

All of the operational RCN Banshees were the F2H-3 with the APQ-41.

As far as ease of use goes, I actually ran across a study a long time ago, done on AI radars from the 1950s (the APQ-41 was the main 1950s example used) through the AWG-9 (F-14A system) of the late-1970s. IIRC the APQ-41 was well liked by the various users - reliability & maintenance being the only real problems. The APQ-41 was basically an improved and better integrated APQ-35 (used on the F3D-1 Skyknight and F3H-1(?) Demon) with an improved & larger antenna giving better range in search mode. The APQ-35/-41 and AWG-9 were actually considered weapon control systems incorporating more than one type of equipment. The APQ-35 had a forward AI radar, a forward FC radar, and a TWR (Tail Warning Radar). The APQ-41 added a RWR of some sort.

I do not remember all the modes described but I think there was a short-range gun ranging/FC mode, a mid-range search mode, a long-range search mode, and a 'homing' mode (for ship and airport beacons). I think there were a couple of improvements during its service life.

The F3D-1 Skyknight used the APQ-35 (no combat?), while the F3D-2 used the APQ-41 and was quite successful over Korea as a night fighter (6x confirmed kills).

 

[ThomasP]

Just found this on Wiki. The page is actually for the radars fitted to US fighter/interceptor aircraft over the years and includes the APQ-35/-36/-41

"AN/APQ-120 - Wikipedia"

 

[MiTasol]

If you want more details on the set try RadioNerds as they probably have some manuals for all or part of the system.