Canon

Oghal-pattern Banshee

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Oghal-pattern Attack Flyer
H2A-T26BansheeGSA.png
Production information

Manufacturer:

Product line:

Banshee[1]

Model:

Type-26A[1]

Technical specifications

Length:

5.6 meters (18 ft 4 in)[2][3]

Width:

6.8 meters (22 ft 4 in)[2]

Height:

3.3 meters (10 ft 10 in)[2]

Mass:

2.5 metric tons (2.5 LT; 2.8 ST)[2][3]

Engine(s):

Boosted gravity propulsion drive[4]

Armament:

Crew:

One pilot[1]

Usage

In service:

Role(s):

Ground support aircraft

Affiliation:

 

The Oghal-pattern Attack Flyer[2] (UNSC Type classification: Type-26A Ground Support Aircraft, T-26A GSA),[1] and more commonly known as the Banshee, is a model of the Banshee commonly employed in Covenant service as a standard aircraft.[1]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

Main article: Banshee

The Oghal-pattern Banshee bears heavy resemblance to the similar Irdnekt-pattern model, albeit with some minor changes. Visually, the Oghal-pattern Banshee's most notable distinction is the iridescent red canopy in place of the green found on Type-26C models. This canopy similarly leaves the pilot partially exposed (particularly the feet and lower legs). The wings are connected at their ends with an antigravity pod to allow for flight.

The craft has two wing canards, each of which terminates in a boosted gravity propulsion drive including a jet and an anti-gravity pod; these leave a vaporous exhaust trail behind the Banshee. The craft is capable of achieving a velocity of over 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph).[5] The Banshee is capable of performing complex maneuvers such as aileron rolls and flips. The Banshee is also capable of hovering, though this ability is not often used.[Note 1]

Armament[edit]

The Banshee sports two weapon pods attached underneath the fuselage; each pod contains a Class-2 plasma cannon and a Class-3 fuel rod cannon.[1] The plasma cannons are deadly to infantry; one bolt can instantly kill a lightly armored target. Armored targets such as the M808 Scorpion MBT can withstand only a few bolts before being destroyed.

Operational history[edit]

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Variants[edit]

The Oghal design pattern has a number of known variants. Differences in design variation can be attributed to specialised functionality and aesthetic preference, and can be used to identify specific military units.[6]

  • Drailaac-pattern Banshee: The Drailaac-pattern Banshee (UNSC Type classification: Type-26AZ Ground Support Aircraft, T-26AZ GSAZ) was used in select artifact-hunting fleets. The significance of its design is opaque to human researchers.[1]
    • Sesa's Drailaac-pattern Banshee}}: Some T-26AZ were deployed alongside Sesa 'Refumee's contingent on the gas mine over Threshold in 2552, where they removed the Covenant manufactured cowlings from them, revealing the Forerunner mechanisms beneath, and redesigned them, so they sport the colors of Sanghelios.[7] These Banshees can be equipped with energy shielding.[8]

Banished[edit]

Main article: 'Ahtulai Workshop Banshee

A modified Banshee variant utilized by the Banished. Incorporates design details more closely related to an aerial predator hailing from the Jiralhanae homeworld of Doisac. Many of the Banshees in Atriox's fleets have been modified with brutal and experimental weaponry, usually designed to inflict maximum damage from both a physical and psychological perspective.[9]

Production notes[edit]

  • In the cover art and key art for Halo 5: Guardians, Oghal-pattern Banshees can be seen flying; however, they are not present in the final game, instead having been replaced by the D'nomlhe-pattern Banshee in the game.

Trivia[edit]

  • In Celtic mythology, a banshee is a female spirit who wails for the death of a particular person before they die. Banshees must steal souls from people to continue their existence. The high-pitched sound made by the Covenant Banshee is a reference to this, especially while performing tight maneuvers making it easy to hear them before one sees them. This also fits the theme of Covenant vehicles, with the exceptions of the Excavators, being named after supernatural entities.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Renders[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The Banshee's inability to hover in most games is more likely a gameplay conceit than an element of canon. Presumably, all versions of the craft are capable of hovering.

Sources[edit]