Boeing P-26 Peashooter (Replica)

First flown in 1932, the P-26 saw service in limited numbers at the very onset of war in the Pacific. Self-funded by Boeing as the Model 248, work on the Peashooter began in September 1931. While the airplane was faster than previous American combat aircraft, the P-26 soon became obsolete due to the rapid pace of aircraft technology advancement. The Soviet I-16, with its retractable landing gear and unbraced, cantilever wings debuted just two years after the P-26’s maiden flight. 

Long past their useful lifespan, 28 P-26’s comprised part of the US military’s fighter strength in the Philippines as the Pacific War began. Twelve of these airplanes were operating as part of the Philippine Army Air Corps (AAC). Amazingly, when called into action, Philippine AAC Captain Jesus A. Villamor led his squadron of P-26’s in defense of their airfields, claiming one Mitsubishi G3M bomber and three A6M Zeros, with Villamor bagging two of the latter himself.

The Museum’s P-26 is a replica completed in 2006 by Mayocraft, Inc. of Bolton, Massachusetts. The aircraft is painted to represent the 1st Pursuit Group, 94th Pursuit Squadron, based at Selfridge Field, Michigan, circa 1935-36. This peacetime color scheme was changed to olive drab in combat areas.