Boeing P-12E
Boeing · United States · first flew 1931 · fighter
The Boeing P-12E was the final and most refined production variant of Boeing's highly successful P-12 biplane fighter family, serving as the primary US Army Air Corps pursuit aircraft in the early 1930s. It represented the peak of the biplane fighter's development in American service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Aluminium monocoque fuselage — advanced construction for a biplane |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Classic US Army Air Corps biplane fighter of the early 1930s
- Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial with Townend ring cowling
- Aluminium monocoque fuselage — advanced construction for a biplane
Single-bay biplane with a round Townend ring cowling over the Wasp radial, short sturdy fuselage, and the characteristic Boeing swept interplane struts; the metal monocoque rear fuselage has a smoother finish than the fabric-covered contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Boeing P-12E has a length of 6.17 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.14 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 302 km/h (188 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The P-12 series evolved through A through F variants between 1929 and 1932, with the P-12E introducing an aluminium monocoque rear fuselage in place of the earlier steel tube construction. This made the aircraft lighter and stronger, and it remained in service until replaced by Boeing's own P-26 Peashooter monoplane. Export versions were designated Model 100 and sold to China and other customers.
Variants
The P-12 family ran from P-12A through P-12F; the E was the most-produced variant with 110 built; the Navy used equivalent aircraft as the F4B-3 and F4B-4.
Where you'll see it
Served with the US Army Air Corps from 1931 to approximately 1935; the Navy's F4B-4 equivalents remained in service slightly longer. The type was exported to several countries including Brazil and China.
Related aircraft
- Boeing F4B-2
- Boeing F4B-4
- Boeing Monomail
- Boeing P-26 Peashooter
- Aero A.46
- Arado Ar 65
- Curtiss A-8 Shrike
- Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk
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