P-26 Peashooter Guatemala, May, 1943 (1:48)

Boeing's first and last all-metal monoplane fighter produced for the US Army Air Corps was the P-26. Known as the 'Peashooter' there were 111 P-26As produced. The wings were braced with wire instead of wooden struts and this reduced drag and along with a 500 hp engine the aircraft was much faster than the older bi-planes. The mono-wing also meant a higher landing speed so flaps had to be added to slow the aircraft down. It had fixed landing gear and an open cockpit with just a windscreen to protect the pilot.

In 1942 the Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Guatemala) wanted seven P-26s. The U.S. Congress prohibited lethal weapon sales to most Latin American countries. The U.S. Army altered the sales document to read PT-26 'Trainers'. By the end of May 1943 the FAG received the seven aircraft plus one extra for parts. They were given serial numbers 42 to 49. Two aircraft survived, one at the Planes of Fame museum of Chino, California, and one at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

Specifications for the P-26A

Country of origin ' USA

Manufacturer ' Boeing Aircraft Company

Role ' Fighter

Crew - One

Dimensions
Wing Span - 27 ft. 11.5 in.
Length - 23 ft. 10 in.
Height - 10 ft. 5 in.

Weight
Empty - 2,197 lbs.
Maximum - 2,955 lbs.

Performance
Engine - Pratt and Whitney R-1340-27 (500 hp)
Maximum Speed - 234 mph (203 knots)
Cruising Speed - 199 mph (172 knots)
Landing Speed - 82 mph (71.26 knots)
Range - 360 statute miles (313 nautical miles)
Service Ceiling - 27,400 ft.

Armament
(2) fixed .30-cal. Machine guns
or
(1) .50- and one .30-cal. Machine gun and up to 200 lbs. of bombs