Hobby Lobby and the P-26 "peashooter" build

Yeah Rene, we pawned them off to the Chinese (prior to our getting involved in WW-2) and Filipinos where they saw action, just not under our flag.  We also sent some to South America.  Later, private citizens bought some of them back and are flying today.

The 3rd Pursuit Squadron operated the P-26 on the Philippines from 1937-1941. The 17th Pursuit Squadron had the P-26 from 1934 to 1941, and the 20th in 1940-41. They all became part of the 24th Pursuit Group in October 1941, by which time they had moved on to more modern aircraft.

The surplus P-26s were sold to the government of the Philippines. They were used by the 6th Pursuit Squadron of the Philippine air force and recorded some victories against the Japanese, including what was probably the first aerial victory of the campaign.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=boeing+p-26&docid=608027529453862359&mid=5F51D6C618A41E432E985F51D6C618A41E432E98&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Started cutting and soaking balsa.  Drying, letting nature take it's course over the next 24 hours.  Belly pan and fuselage will help set the wings contour.  

Enjoying watching these salvage and rebuilds take place, nice!….. I also like the idea of replacing just the one wing as opposed to both, Leaving as much original as you can….Redoing the old engines to running status, Awesome!!…. I hope one will find its way to some air time…. Would be epic!! …I got one of these when I was about 10 yo as a gift and remember dad starting it on the front porch…., Don’t remember it ever flying though…..

I get my wood at Hobby Lobby as well…. Most of it is on the heavy side but sometimes you get lucky with something decent….. I travel a bit so will stop in different town’s HL’s  and see what they have…. I get a stack out of the bin to handle each one then pick the best…. I’ll weigh them when I get home and usually get around 8 lb density and sometimes a random 6 lb piece or two….,

Thanks, I couldn't be quite that pickey, Hobby lobby only had the two large sheets of basla that I needed for the wing.  Grabbed them both.  Was going to get a big block for the wheel pant but decided on sandwiching pieces instead.

Removed the clamps this morning but left the rubber bands for a day or two more.  My basement is dry around 38% RH so complete drying should take place.

Wen Mac did a nice job on these, better than most and up there with Aurora.  Tab and slot for the wing to fueslage interface.  I should be able to slot the balsa half wing and slide it over the existing broken wing for a secure fit.  Not wonderful but it should work.  If not, I will build a whole new wing.

A little closer.

Messed up one of the mount holes, didn't have the proper base for my hole punch. Other than that and a fouled spray head that is just giving splatters, I'm getting there.







Many may think................What's the use?

It's what I do.........

I totally get it, It’s nice to build something and have it from new but it’s a different kind of satisfaction to rescue something that might have been discarded or few others care for….Those have a special history….

I have this old Hubley metal car that’s on that kind of list to do someday…. Was literally a barn find…. Gave the guy $5.00 for it

Thanks Charles, we think alike.

And rdw, I'm imaginering right now.  What a wonderful relic to restore.  

I have been eyeing this, quite similiar:



Presently on ebay BIN @ $271.  If I didn't have so many projects going on right now.........

Knocked a third shelf out this morning.



Actually, I'm quite happy and more than a little surprised that this is turning out so well. The balsa wing snaps into place over the tabs just like the plastic wing did. Horzontal stab/elevator - vertical stab/rudder to go. Then the -- oh, oh wheel pant. a Waterloo moment maybe.

Bob,

Here’s a cute little Ryan ST by Dave Thornburg that has drawings for wheel pants that might could be scaled to fit your P-26….. Kind of a torsion bar arrangement…

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=13135

Marlesky,

Thanks for the tin toy link, Lots of neat parts…. I see a few parts on the bay too… Will be a fun rebuild one of these days

Robert

Thanks all.

Those windshields are on their way. I passed the site on to my son as he's interested in the Wen Mac Mustang and they have a lot of parts for them too.

I love the Cox Ryan ST. So many times I have wanted to bid on one, but usually they are priced out of my comfort zone. I copied those Ryan plans and enlarged them, maybe they can help. I'm not much of a carver, but here goes.

ChaseBanner wrote:never paid much attention to the pea shooter until rsv1cox introduced his wen mac (plural)p-26. i am almost ashamed to say ive overlooked such a great design from the turning point of aviation with great character and absolute beauty

I just like the pugnacious look of the little critter.  "Here I am, what are you going to do about it?"  



Roughed out the tail sections today. Will have to relieve the opening for the horizontal stab a little, 1/16" balsa being somewhat thicker than the plastic. Thinking a toothpick to join the two separate sections of the elevator.  I will install a bell crank.  



Really looking forward to putting this one together.