The Boeing P-26 “Peashooter” was the first American production all-metal fighter aircraft and the first pursuit monoplane to enter squadron service with the United States Army Air Corps. Designed and built by Boeing, the prototype first flew in 1932, and the type was still in use with the U.S. Army Air Corps as late as 1941 in the Philippines. There are two surviving Peashooters, but there are three reproductions on display with two more under construction.
| Role | Fighter |
|---|---|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| First flight | 20 March 1932 |
| Retired | 1956 |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Corps Republic of China Air Force Philippine Army Air Corps Guatemalan Air Force |
| Number built | 151 |
| Variants | Boeing P-29/XF7B-1 |
Specifications (P-26A)
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 23 ft 7 in (7.19 m)
- Wingspan: 28 ft (8.5 m)
- Height: 10 ft (3.0 m)
- Wing area: 250 sq ft (23 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 5.23
- Airfoil: Boeing 109
- Empty weight: 2,196 lb (996 kg)
- Gross weight: 3,360 lb (1,524 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-27 Wasp 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 600 hp (450 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 234 mph (377 km/h, 203 kn)
- Combat range: 360 mi (580 km, 310 nmi)
- Ferry range: 635 mi (1,022 km, 552 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 27,400 ft (8,400 m)
- Rate of climb: 719 ft/min (3.65 m/s)
Armament
- Guns: 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns or 1 x .30 (7.62 mm) and 1 x .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
- Bombs: 2 × 100 lb (45 kg) GP bombs or 5 x 31 lb (14 kg) anti-personnel bombs
Photos Rob Vogelaar
