Boeing’s first and last all-metal monoplane fighter produced for the US Army Air Corps. was the P-26. Known as the “Peashooter” there were 111 P-26As produced. The wings were braced with wire instead of wooden struts and this reduced drag and along with a 500 hp engine the aircraft was much faster than the older bi-planes. The mono-wing also meant a higher landing speed so flaps had to be added to slow the aircraft down. It had fixed landing gear and an open cockpit with just a windscreen to protect the pilot.

The Aircraft

On August 20 1917 the 95th Aero Squadron was formed at Kelly Field Texas. In 1927 the Squadron was inactivated at March Field California. Only 10 months later the Squadron was re-activated as the 95th Pursuit Squadron and retained the “Kicking Mule” insignia used since 1917. After several moves the 19th found itself at March Field California on August 9 1932 for the next 6 years as part of the 17th Pursuit Group. The 95th flew the P-26 in 1934 and 1935 when it was replaced by the Northrop A-17.