P-12

The P-12 was one of the most successful American fighters produced between the world wars. More P-12s were ordered than any other type until 1940. This type was used by both the Army and the Navy (as the F4B). This was the last biplane fighter flown by the Air Corps. The P-12 program began as a Boeing-funded venture. The first two aircraft, both company demonstrators, were eventually purchased by the Navy. The first P-12 was flown on April 11, 1929. The P-12 was one of the very first Air Corps pursuit ships (and the first purchased in quantity) powered by an air-cooled engine. The P-12 and P-12B, C, and D aircraft had a bolted aluminum frame with fabric covering. The fuselages of the P- 12E and F were all metal, semimonocoque construction. The aircraft made an auspicious debut, on February 26, 1929, when Capt. Ira C. Eaker flew the first P-12 accepted by the Air Corps from Boeing Field, Wash., to the Panama Canal and back. The trip took several weeks. The P-12 entered service with the 95th Pursuit Squadron at Rockwell Field, Calif., in April 1929. P-12s were in operational service from 1929 to 1936. A number of P-12s were pressed into service delivering mail during the air mail crisis of 1934. Navy F4Bs served until 1938. In 1940, the last 23 P-12s were transferred to the Navy and converted for use as radio-controlled targets. These aircraft were designated F4B-4As.

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