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. 

McDONNELL-DOUGLAS RF-4B "PHANTOM II"

R - RECONASSAINCE
F - FIGHTER
4 - 4TH MODEL
B - 2ND MODIFICATION

The Phantom was designed as a fighter, but the Marine Corps made a recon version. The RF-4B's first flight was 12 March 1965.  All 46 of the RF-4Bs produced went to the Marine Corps. The last 12 RF-4Bs were built on USAF RF-4C frames with larger tires, wheel wells and re-enforced wings. The RF-4B served with Marine Composite Squadrons:  VMCJ-1, VMCJ-2 and VMCJ-3.  The Navy elected to stay with the RF-8 Crusader and the RA-5 Vigilante, and did not order the RF-4.  This aircraft was accepted 15 October 1965 and delivered to VMCJ-3 at MCAS El Toro, CA and spent its entire service life with that squadron and its predecessor Marine Photo Squadron, VMFP-3.  It was retired on 25 April 1990 with 5,364 airframe hours and presented to the museum.  It still wears the colors of its last unit, VMFP-3. Click here for a larger picture and more information.