05/31/2007. Remarks by Bill
Ewing: "The Banshee, nicknamed the "Banjo", was the Hawker Sea
Fury replacement for the RCN's fleet air defense, and became the one
and only carrier-based jet fighter used by the RCN. The RCN received
39 second-hand F2H-3 Banshees from the USN and the first was
delivered in November 1955. The last one delivered, USN BuNo. 127510,
was in fact the 40st aircraft, being a replacement for BuNo. 126330
that was lost on its ferry flight on April 22, 1956.
The Banshees were flown by VX10 Experimental Squadron (acceptance
evaluations) and fighter squadrons VF 870 and VF 871 at naval air
station HMCS Shearwater, and were also deployed aboard the aircraft
carrier HMCS Bonaventure. By September 1962 all Canadian Banshees had
been withdrawn from service.
The pictured aircraft was manufactured on March 28, 1953 and with USN
BuNo. 126464 it was accepted by the USN on April 10, 1953. It was
struck off charge by the USN on August 14, 1957, and the following
day taken on strength by the RCN; it was struck off charge on
September 12, 1962. It was refurbished by the personnel of 400/411
Squadron, Canadian Forces Air Command, CFB Toronto. Supervisor for
the restoration was the then Chief Warrant Officer of the combined
Squadron, CWO Ron Wylie."