Boeing P-12

Boeing P-12 and F4B

The Boeing P-12 (known as the F4B in the Navy) was a single-engine biplane fighter aircraft produced for the United States Army Air Corps. Its first flight was made in 1928, but was not introduced into service until 1930. The production run lasted from 1929 to 1932. It served with the United States as a front-line fighter until replacement by the Boeing P-26 between 1934 and 1935. It was then converted to a trainer until 1941, when it was 'cannibalized' for mechanic's schools. It continued to be in service in other countries until retirement in 1949 by the Brazilian Air Force. In all, 586 examples were built. It was powered by a 500 hp engine, enough to take the 1.25 ton fighter to 189 mph, although cruise was often closer to 160 mph. It could operate within a range of 570 miles. It was armed with 2 x .30 inch machine guns, but sometimes one gun was replaced with a .50 inch machine gun. It could carry 244 lbs of bombs externally.