I was a plane captain on what the crews and pilots called "Banjos" while I was a reserve in squadron VF877 at N A S Oakland, Ca. from 1955 to 1958. They were the first jet aircraft I was introduced to as an airman recruit in the Navy. They were fairly easy to work on as they had easy access to the engines from the top and bottom of the wings. You didn't have to pull the fusalage apart to get to them. I know as we had to pull an engine after a sea gull decided he wanted to get sucked up in the port intake on take off. I'll bet that pilot was darn glad to have that starbord engine going for him. Most of ole gull stayed in the compressor section as feathers and bones. Little got to the tail pipe. As I recall the paint scheme there was dark Navy blue. The pilots and the crews seemed to like them. 02/01/2012 @ 16:31 [ref: 52385]
Cesar Pun Folsom, CA
Does anyone knows how to contact John Bell or how to get hold of the drawings?
I am modelling the Banshee for a Flight Simulator (Strike Fighters: Project One) and need the material
Thanks 02/21/2004 @ 17:15 [ref: 6813]
Ray Lowe granite bay, CA
I flew that very a/c while in the reserve squadron at NAS Oakland. VMF141. I don't care for the new paint scheme. Why is there a shortage of SPAD's at the museums? 07/22/2001 @ 21:11 [ref: 2728]
John Bell Largo, FL
Have detailed drawings of F2H-2, made from factory prints. 01/30/2001 @ 12:58 [ref: 1497]