Boeing P-26 "Peashooter" by Buffalo1
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Description
The P-26 was the first all metal monoplane fighter adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1932. It was faster at 234 mph than the biplane types like the Boeing P-12/F4B at 195 mph. The P-26 was quickly out of date due to the tremendous advancements in aircraft and engine design during the 1930's. Despite more modern fighters being produced the "Peashooter" saw combat service in the Spanish Civil War, the Sino-Japanese War with the Nationalist Chinese Air Force, and during World War 2 with the Philippine Army Air Corps in December of 1941. Chinese and Filipino pilots scored kills against Japanese Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" and A6M "Zero" fighters, as well as Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" bombers. Pretty good for an obsolete aircraft. This original P-26 can be found at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center next to Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. (I hate museum lighting, too dark.)
Comments (5)
At a max of 234mph it would not have been able to touch the FW109 but it's not always speed that wins quite often it's the person who sits in the seat
It wasn't a match for any WW2 fighter. The Japanese pilots liked to dogfight. The P-26 being slower could turn inside the Zero. The Philippine Commonwealth AAC pilots were well trained by the Americans. (The Philippines were scheduled for independence by the USA in 1946. The promise was kept.) The last Fil-American combat flight in the Philippines in May of 1942 was a Republic P-35A flown by a Filipino pilot.
A great location!
Yes! I recommend a visit if you are in the Washington DC area. Huge hangars with lots of different types of planes. Thanks!
Very interesting historical background!
Back in the 1990's I met a USAF pilot who checked out a P-26 in the 1930's. He said it was a fine plane, but he loved the Boeing P-12 biplane better.
Great shot of this wonderful old bird.
Thanks!
Nice photo!
Thanks!