| Type-26A Ground Support Aircraft | |
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| Production information | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Product line: |
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Model: |
Type-26A[1] |
| Technical specifications | |
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Length: |
Approx. 7 meters (23 ft 0 in)[1] |
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Width: |
Approx. 7.5 meters (24 ft 7 in)[1] |
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Height: |
Approx. 3.5 meters (11 ft 6 in)[1] |
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Mass: |
2.5 metric tons (2.5 LT; 2.8 ST)[1] |
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Engine(s): |
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Armament: |
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Crew: |
One pilot[1] |
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In service: |
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Role(s): |
Ground support aircraft |
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Affiliation: |
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The Type-26A Ground Support Aircraft (T-26A GSA),[1] more commonly known as the Banshee, is a variant of the Type-26 Banshee commonly employed in Covenant service as a standard aircraft.[1]
Specifications
Design details
- Main article: Type-26 Banshee
The Type-26A Banshee bears heavy resemblance to the similar Type-26C model, albeit with some minor changes. Visually, the Type-26A'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).[2] 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
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
This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.
Variants
The Type-26A 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.[3]
- Type-26AZ Banshee: The T-26AZ was used in select artifact-hunting fleets. The significance of its design is opaque to human researchers.[1]
- Sesa's T-26AZ: 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.[4] These Banshees can be equipped with energy shielding.[5]
The Type-26AZ model.
Banished
- Main article: Banished 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.[6]
- Unstable Banished Type-26A Banshee: This is a variant of the Banished Type-26A Banshee that is fitted with canisters that cause the vehicle to explode violently upon destruction.
- HW2-BanBanshee.jpg
Banished T-26A Banshee.
Unstable Banished T-26A Banshee.
Production notes
- The Type-26C Banshee is the Banshee design introduced in Halo 3 and later featured in Halo 3: ODST. The design was not given a formal designation difference until a 2015 Halo Waypoint universe entry.[1]
- In the cover art and key art for Halo 5: Guardians, T-26As can be seen flying; however, they are not present in the final game, instead having been replaced by the Type-54 Banshee in the game.
Trivia
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See our gameplay information related to Oghal-pattern Banshee on its gameplay page. |
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
- 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
Concept art
Concept art of the T-26A Banshee in Halo: Combat Evolved.
Another concept art of T-26A the Banshee in Halo: Combat Evolved.
Artworks
T-26A Banshees flying over a devastated city as a Guardian Custode emerges.
Renders
A T-26A Banshee in Halo: Combat Evolved.
Rear and front quarter views of the T-26A from Halo: Combat Evolved.
The back of the T-26A Banshee in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A T-26A Banshee in Halo 2.
The T-26A Banshee flying in Halo 2.
A T-26A Banshee performing an aileron roll.
A T-26A Banshee from Halo Wars' announcement trailer.
A high-poly view of the Banshee model in Halo Wars.
A low-poly view of the Halo Wars Banshee.
The Type-26A Banshee in Halo 2: Anniversary.
Screenshots
Two T-26A Banshees near Halo Installation 04's control room.
HUD of the T-26A Banshee on Blood Gulch in Halo: Combat Evolved.
HUD of the T-26A Banshee in Halo 2.
- Banshee HW.jpg
An upgraded T-26A Banshee in Halo Wars.
T-26A Banshees fighting Flood on Shield World 0459.
A T-26A Banshee chasing an AV-22 Sparrowhawk.
Banshees over Kholo in The Return.
HUD of the T-26A Banshee in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A T-26A Banshee in Halo: Spartan Strike.
List of appearances
Notes
- ^ 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
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Halo Waypoint, Banshee (Retrieved on Sep 30, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 265
- ^ Halo Legendary Crate - Data Drop #17: Banshee Covenant ground support aircraft
- ^ Joyride, Heretic Banshee description (Retrieved on Apr 11, 2007) [archive]
- ^ Halo 2: Anniversary, campaign level The Oracle: "Hot Pursuit" cutscene
- ^ Halo Waypoint - Canon Fodder: The Art of War(s)
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