Boeing
P-26B Peashooter
The Boeing P‑26B Peashooter, the United States Army Air Corps' first all‑metal monoplane fighter, entered service in 1933. Developed from the earlier P‑26A, the B variant featured a more powerful 750 hp Pratt & Whitney R‑1340‑W engine, enlarged fuel capacity, and reinforced wing structure, allowing a top speed of 234 mph and a service ceiling of 27,400 ft. Its fixed‑gear, open‑cockpit layout reflected transitional design philosophies, bridging the biplane era and the modern all‑metal, retractable‑gear fighters that would dominate World War II. Over 100 units were produced, serving primarily with pursuit squadrons in the continental United States and, later, in the Philippines and Central America. Although quickly outclassed by newer designs such as the P‑40 Warhawk, the P‑26B proved invaluable as a trainer and liaison aircraft, introducing pilots to all‑metal construction, higher speeds, and more advanced instrumentation. The Peashooter’s legacy lies in its role as the last US fighter to retain fixed landing gear and an open cockpit, marking the end of an era while paving the way for the rapid technological advances that defined 1930s aviation. Its influence can still be seen in modern fighter design philosophy.
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Classification
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- Boeing
- Military Designation
- P-26B
- Wikidata ID
- Q15139430