P-26 Peashooter Survivng Bits?

[cwmc]

I didn't know it was a replica. I thought it came from the same country as the POF's airplane.
Chris...

[Chris Brame]

Wasn't the story that there were two recovered from Guatemala; one went to Ed Maloney and the other went to the Smithsonian but was loaned to the NMUSAF for about 25 years until they got a replica and the Smithsonian took back the original?

[aeroeng]

The last time I was at the museum I'm pretty sure I read it is a replica.

aeroeng

[Air_Force_Vet]

From the NMUSAF website:

"This P-26A reproduction is painted to represent the commander's aircraft of the 19th Pursuit Squadron, 18th Pursuit Group, stationed at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, in 1938."

[JohnB]

I've read that the NMUSAF example is virtually airworthy, except Boeing had them make the fuselage out of understrength tubing making safe flight impossible (for liability issues.)

True?

If so, it seems a bit petulant, considering none of the NMUSAF aircraft fly.

[P51Mstg]

Hard to imagine that Boeing would have anything to do with the specs on building it..... Its not like there were any P-26 specific guys still at Boeing...... I'd chalk that one up to urban legend....

Mark H

[Jerry O'Neill]

Wasn't the story that there were two recovered from Guatemala; one went to Ed Maloney and the other went to the Smithsonian but was loaned to the NMUSAF for about 25 years until they got a replica and the Smithsonian took back the original?

This is accurate.
Jerry

[PinecastleAAF]

Ed Maloney sure saved a lot of airplanes from the scrapper. I had forgotten about the P-26's.

[John Dupre]

Why look for pieces when there have been several full size replicas built or building? The P 26 is one aircraft where a lot of the drawings made it out to the public before the liability fears got out of hand.

[Warbird Kid]

I'm trying to figure out how to respond to this without attacking, but why would you care about warbirds at all if there are new replicas available?

I'm trying to figure out how to respond to YOUR post without attacking! But in all seriousness what is the problem with replicas? Whether there half scale homebuilts (i.e. Jurca / W.A.R.), aircraft modified to resemble other aircraft (i.e. T-6 to Tora Zero), or full size reproductions that have only slight differences to that of there original counterparts (i.e. F3F, KI-43, ME-262, P-26 FW-190, etc) replicas usually exist for one reason, to take the place of an original since an original might be extremely rare or not exist at all. Of course I'm generalizing including all historical objects or artifacts but that's the gist of it.

Since there aren't that many Zeros, or any original ME-262s or KI-43's flying, why not have some replica's take the place of them? It allows the common airshow goer to see another piece of aviation history that would otherwise be only in a history book or in a national museum if an original example of said warbird existed still. While yes I agree that an original warbird (whatever it may be) is far more exciting and historic to me (especially if it has combat history) since its 60+ 70+ or 80+ years old. But a replica is nothing to look down upon either. We only have so many originals. If replicas can better strengthen and increase the population of flying warbirds than all the better in my opinion.

Hey look at it this way, there are no original Fokker DR.1s left anywhere in the world. So would you rather only see a DR.1 in a book? Or go to anyone of the countless air museums and airshows throughout the world and see all the replicas built and mostly flown for the entertainment of the public, pilots, and the historical integrity?

Replicas are our friends.

[Warbird Kid]

Here here! If their are pieces (especially large ones) that are still intact out there then absolutely yes, we should try and recover them. We should never stop looking because I'm sure their are plenty of wrecks still out there, waiting to be discovered,

[Steve Nelson]

What's this? A discussion about reproduction/replicas vs. originals that has stayed completely civil, and ended with both parties in friendly agreement? I have to say I'm very disappointed..this topic should have degenerated into a p***ing contest four or five posts ago!

SN

[John Dupre]

Why look for pieces when there have been several full size replicas built or building? The P 26 is one aircraft where a lot of the drawings made it out to the public before the liability fears got out of hand.

I'm trying to figure out how to respond to this without attacking, but why would you care about warbirds at all if there are new replicas available?[/quote]

I suppose I was a little flippant in my reply. Saving the bits is important but it is very doubtful that there are any surviving P-26s waiting to be recovered anywhere or enough bits to really make a viable restoration. (Guatemala maybe?) Because there have been so many replicas made in the last few years that just seems the way to go. Then again if you collect enough of the right bits you can suddenly have a project.

[ALOHADAVE]

I love the P-26, Yes there are wrecks out there, but nobody has really made the effort to look for them. A quick check of Hawaii pre war P-26 wrecks reveals at least 26 wrecks. List provided below. I would love to find one, However it requires research and hard work to locate a crash site. Accident reports would need to be obtained, searches through the jungles of Hawaii would be required. While not much remains at most crash sites, a few original bits would be a valuable discovery.
Yes this is hard work, but not impossible. Other wreck sites have been found in Hawaii. ALOHA!

46010 371025 P-26 unknown 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNU 3 Davis, Leighton I USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46010 380211 P-26A 33-83 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 3 Dillingham, Walter H. USA HI Luke Field, Oahu, HI
46003 380503 P-26A 33-61 Hickam Field, Oahu, HI FLEF 3 Beul, Frederick USA HI Hana, Maui, HI
46007 380725 P-26A 33-62 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 4 Carmichael, Richard H USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46005 381020 P-26B 33-194 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNO 5 Brewer, George S USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46007 381102 P-26B 33-191 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMF 5 Carmichael, Richard H USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-185 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Hickman. Jack W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-186 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Puryear, Romulus W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46007 381102 P-26B 33-191 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMF 5 Carmichael, Richard H USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-185 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Hickman. Jack W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-186 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Puryear, Romulus W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46044 390504 P-26B 33-180 6PS 18PG Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI GAC 0 Wintermute, Ira F. USA HI Morse Field, South Cape, Oahu, HI
46044 390515 P-26B 33-195 6PS 18PG Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 3 Wintermute, Ira F. USA HI Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI
46001 390711 P-26B 33-188 6PS WheelerField, Oahu, HI TACNO 5 Allan, Charles C, Jr USA HI Hickam Field, Oahu, HI
46043 390713 P-26A 33-62 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACGL 3 Wilkins, John C. USA HI Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI
46001 390720 P-26B 33-187 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNO 5 Allan, Charles C, Jr USA HI Landed short at Lanai Airport, Lanai, HI
46030 390823 P-26A 33-181 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOSSP 5 Opeil, Charles M. USA HI 5 mi SE of Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI
46041 390919 P-26A 33-88 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACGL 3 Tokarz, Clarence P. USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46010 391114 P-36A 38-179 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 3 Davis, Allyn T USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46028 400304 P-26B 33-185 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMAC 5 Rector, Walter S USA HI Over Hickam Field, Oahu, HI
46023 400717 P-26A 33-37 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNU 2 Latham, James C. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46045 400829 P-26A 33-85 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 4 Wright, Ellis W. USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46003 400923 P-26B 33-186 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TACNU 2 Berquist, Kenneth P USA HI "Old Wheeler Field", HI
46001 401126 P-26A 33-60 19PS Wheeler Field, HI LAC 4 Ahola, Teuvo A USA HI Landed 75 ft short of runway, Bellows Fld,HI
46028 400304 P-26B 33-195 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMAC 5 Moore, Malcom A. USA HI Over Hickam Field, Oahu, HI
46010 401105 P-26B 33-192 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNO 3 Day, Neal R. USA HI Haleiwa Aux Field, Oahu, HI

[Dan K]

I love the P-26, Yes there are wrecks out there, but nobody has really made the effort to look for them. A quick check of Hawaii pre war P-26 wrecks reveals at least 26 wrecks. List provided below. I would love to find one, However it requires research and hard work to locate a crash site. Accident reports would need to be obtained, searches through the jungles of Hawaii would be required. While not much remains at most crash sites, a few original bits would be a valuable discovery.
Yes this is hard work, but not impossible. Other wreck sites have been found in Hawaii. ALOHA!

46010 371025 P-26 unknown 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNU 3 Davis, Leighton I USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46010 380211 P-26A 33-83 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 3 Dillingham, Walter H. USA HI Luke Field, Oahu, HI
46003 380503 P-26A 33-61 Hickam Field, Oahu, HI FLEF 3 Beul, Frederick USA HI Hana, Maui, HI
46007 380725 P-26A 33-62 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 4 Carmichael, Richard H USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46005 381020 P-26B 33-194 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNO 5 Brewer, George S USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46007 381102 P-26B 33-191 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMF 5 Carmichael, Richard H USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-185 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Hickman. Jack W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-186 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Puryear, Romulus W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46007 381102 P-26B 33-191 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMF 5 Carmichael, Richard H USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-185 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Hickman. Jack W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46018 381109 P-26B 33-186 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TAC 3 Puryear, Romulus W. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46044 390504 P-26B 33-180 6PS 18PG Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI GAC 0 Wintermute, Ira F. USA HI Morse Field, South Cape, Oahu, HI
46044 390515 P-26B 33-195 6PS 18PG Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 3 Wintermute, Ira F. USA HI Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI
46001 390711 P-26B 33-188 6PS WheelerField, Oahu, HI TACNO 5 Allan, Charles C, Jr USA HI Hickam Field, Oahu, HI
46043 390713 P-26A 33-62 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACGL 3 Wilkins, John C. USA HI Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI
46001 390720 P-26B 33-187 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNO 5 Allan, Charles C, Jr USA HI Landed short at Lanai Airport, Lanai, HI
46030 390823 P-26A 33-181 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOSSP 5 Opeil, Charles M. USA HI 5 mi SE of Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI
46041 390919 P-26A 33-88 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACGL 3 Tokarz, Clarence P. USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46010 391114 P-36A 38-179 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 3 Davis, Allyn T USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46028 400304 P-26B 33-185 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMAC 5 Rector, Walter S USA HI Over Hickam Field, Oahu, HI
46023 400717 P-26A 33-37 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNU 2 Latham, James C. USA HI Wheeler Field, HI
46045 400829 P-26A 33-85 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LAC 4 Wright, Ellis W. USA HI Bellows Field, Oahu, HI
46003 400923 P-26B 33-186 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI TACNU 2 Berquist, Kenneth P USA HI "Old Wheeler Field", HI
46001 401126 P-26A 33-60 19PS Wheeler Field, HI LAC 4 Ahola, Teuvo A USA HI Landed 75 ft short of runway, Bellows Fld,HI
46028 400304 P-26B 33-195 6PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI BOMAC 5 Moore, Malcom A. USA HI Over Hickam Field, Oahu, HI
46010 401105 P-26B 33-192 19PS Wheeler Field, Oahu, HI LACNO 3 Day, Neal R. USA HI Haleiwa Aux Field, Oahu, HI

First, your list doesn't represent 26 individual wrecks, but individual accidents. Note the aircraft from your list that had repeat affairs: 33-62, 33-191, 33-185, 33-186, 33-195. In fact, part of your list repeats the very same accidents: Richard Carmichael on 381102, Jack Hickman on 381109, Romulus Puryear on 381109.

You'll want to be a little more exact with your research before heading off for the "jungles of Hawaii". I'm sure we all wish you good hunting though.