Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>F4B>HA7905

General Background

In the early 1930s Boeing developed a series of biplanes designated the F4B for the US Navy and US Marine Corps but was a P-12 for the US Army Air Corps. The aircraft were first accepted in 1929 and served as the primary fighter. The P-12 was built in 6 successful variants while the F4B had 4. The P-12 was replaced by the Boeing P-26 in 1934-35 but the F4B carried on with operational duties until the Grumman F2F/F3F series completely replaced them in 1938.

The Aircraft

The USN Department made aircraft such as the Boeing F4B-4 available to headquarters staff whenever they had to travel to a facility within the aircraft range. These aircraft were based at Anacostia NAS, Washington, D.C. and wore a highly polished metal finish. One trip was made by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Douglas Ingalls so he could attend an Airshow at the Floyd Bennett Field, New York in 1935. This was New York City's first municipal airport.

Specifications :

Total Produced All Variants:	586
First Flight:	June 25, 1928
Role:	Fighter Biplane
Powerplant:	1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-16 WASP air-cooled 9 cylinder radial engine, 550 hp (410 kW)
Performance:
Speed:	189 mph (164 kts / 304 km/h)
Service Ceiling:	26,900 ft (8,199 m)
Range:	369 mi (321 nm / 594 km)
Weight:
Empty:	2,355 lb (1,068 kg)
Max Takeoff:	3,611 lb (1,638 kg)
Dimensions:
Length:	20.08 ft (6.12 m)
Height:	9.32 ft (2.84 m)
Wingspan:	29.99 ft (9.14 m)