BOEING P26-A "Pea-shooter"

Designed and built by Boeing, this was the first all-metal monoplane fighter aircraft to enter service with the United States Army Air Corps. The prototype first flew in 1932 and after several mishaps and numerous changes, the design was eventually accepted into service two years later. Although the first all-metal fighter it was also the last of its type to use fixed undercarriage, an open cockpit and external bracing wires - a hang-over from the bi-plane era.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney 9 cylinder radial developing 600hp, the P26 was faster than previous U.S. combat aircraft with a top speed of 234 m.p.h. However just a few years later, designs such as the Curtiss P-36, Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf109 were taking command of the skies. The long telescopic gunsight mounted in front of the windscreen gave rise to pilots dubbing the design "Pea-Shooter" - a name which stuck for the life of the type.

In the years before the Second World War, American fighter aircraft were painted in bright colours to signify their respective units. Some designs were incredibly intricate and pilots were justly proud of their mounts. Pursuit Squadron emblems were displayed large on the fuselage sides and various stripes, bands and flashes indicated the rank of the pilot and their position in the squadron.