Boeing P-26

Boeing P-26
Državi	Zda
Vrsta	Zasledovanje letal
Prvi let	20. marec 1932
Zgrajena	151

V Boeing P-26 "Peashooter" je bilo prvo ameriško letalo za proizvodnjo vseh kovin in prvo lovsko enoletno letalo, ki je vstopilo v eskadriljsko službo z zračnim korpusom Vojske ZDA. Projektiral in zgradil Boeing, prototip je prvi letel leta 1932, tip pa je bil še vedno v uporabi z zračnim korpusom vojske ZDA že leta 1941 na Filipinih. Obstajata le dva preživela Peashooters, vendar so tri reprodukcije na razstavi z dvema več v gradnji.

Vir: Boeing P-26 na Wikiju

Boeing P-26
Fotograf	Rob Brown
Lokalizacijo	Neznano
Fotografije	22

Boeing P-26 01

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Boeing P-26 03

Boeing P-26 04

Boeing P-26 05

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Boeing P-26 07

Boeing P-26 08

Boeing P-26 09

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P-26 Peashooter Sprehod Okoli
Fotograf	Grant Moulton
Lokalizacijo	Neznano
Fotografije	34

Boeing P-26A Peashooter
Fotograf	Cees Hendriks
Lokalizacijo	Neznano
Fotografije	42

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 01

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 02

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 03

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 04

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 05

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 06

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 07

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 08

Boeing P-26A Peashooter 09

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Glej tudi:

The End of the Biplane Era

V Boeing P-26, affectionately known as the “Peashooter” due to its blast tube for the guns, was a revolutionary aircraft for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Entering service in 1933, it was a “transitional” fighter: it ditched the traditional double wings for a modern, low-wing monoplane design and featured an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage. However, it still clung to the past with its open cockpit, fixed landing gear, and external wire bracing. Though it was obsolete by the time WWII began, it was the fastest fighter in the world upon its debut and paved the way for the legendary fighters that followed.

Attribute	Technical Specification (P-26A)
Vlogo	Fighter / Pursuit Aircraft
Posadke	1 (Pilot)
First Flight	March 20, 1932
Powerplant	1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-27 “Wasp” radial
Horsepower	600 hp (450 kW)
Maximum Speed	234 mph (377 km/h)
Oborožitev	2 × .30 cal machine guns (or 1 × .50 and 1 × .30)
Tovora	2 × 100 lb bombs or 5 × 31 lb anti-personnel bombs

Design Engineering: Old World Meets New

External Wire Bracing: Unlike later “cantilever” monoplanes (like the Spitfire) where the wing’s strength was internal, the P-26 relied on external wires attached to the fuselage and landing gear for support. This allowed for a thinner, faster wing but created significant drag. [Image diagram of the Boeing P-26 wing bracing and rigging system]
The “Tuna Can” Cowling: The P-26 used a narrow Townend ring or NACA cowling around its radial engine. This was a cutting-edge aerodynamic feature at the time, designed to reduce drag while still allowing the air-cooled engine to breathe.
Wheel Spats (Fairings): To eke out every bit of speed, the fixed landing gear was enclosed in large, streamlined fairings. While aerodynamic, these were prone to clogging with mud on unpaved airfields. [Image detail of the P-26 landing gear fairings and fixed struts]
Flap Integration: Due to its high landing speed (for the time), the P-26 was eventually fitted with wing flaps to help pilots touch down safely on shorter runways—a relatively new concept for American pursuit pilots in the early 30s.

Combat History and the Pacific Sunset

First Blood in China: The P-26 saw its first real combat not with the U.S., but with the Chinese Nationalist Air Force. Flying exported “Model 281” variants, Chinese pilots successfully intercepted Japanese Mitsubishi G3M bombers in 1937, scoring the first monoplane fighter victories.
Defense of the Philippines: When Japan attacked in December 1941, the Philippine Army Air Corps was still flying the P-26. Against all odds, Captain Jesus Villamor and his squadron used the aging Peashooters to knock down modern Japanese A6M Zeros, proving that pilot skill could occasionally overcome technological gaps.
The Headrest Safety: The P-26 featured a very high, prominent headrest. This was designed to protect the pilot in the event of a “nose-over” landing, a common accident given the plane’s light weight and high center of gravity. [Image detail of the P-26 cockpit and large protective headrest fairing]
Guatemalan Service: Long after the U.S. retired them, the P-26 lived on in Central America. Guatemala used the Peashooter as its primary fighter until 1954, making it one of the longest-serving frontline fighters of the 1930s era.