Seversky P-35

The Seversky P-35 was a fighter aircraft built by the Seversky Aircraft Company for the United States Army Air Corps.  It was significant because it was the first single-seat fighter in the US Army Air Corps to use all-metal construction, retractable landing gear, and an enclosed cockpit.  Other fighters, such as the Consolidated P-30, had these features, but was a two-seat fighter.  The airplane first flew in 1935 and was placed into service in 1937.  The P-35 had a long service life, serving the Swedish Air Force until 1952, in a time where jet-powered fighters were becoming commonplace.  Over the production run, 196 airframes, including export models, were made.

The P-35 was powered by a 1,050 hp engine that could pull the plane to 290 mph at 12,000 feet.  However, cruise speed was closer to 260 mph.  Unrefueled, the P-35 could fly 950 miles at a maximum altitude of around 31,000 feet.  Maximum rate of climb was around 1,920 ft/min.  The fighter was armed with 2 x .30 inch machine guns and 2 x .50 inch machine guns.  The P-35 could also carry 350 lbs of bombs.