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Boeing 83 / 89

Boeing 99 F4B

Boeing100 / 102 P-12

 

Boeing 89 second prototype

Both Models 83 and 89 were Navy designated Boeing XF4B-1 fighters. The dfference was the Model 83 had a spreader-bar axle landing gear, and an arrester hook. The Boeing Model 89 had a split-axle landing gear so that a 500 lb bomb could be carried beneath the fuselage.

A private venture built at Boeing’s expense, the XF4B-1 first flew on 7 August 1928. It was placed in production as the Boeing 99 for the Navy F4B-1 series and Model 102 for Army P-12 series, 27 were ordered as F4B-1, and was first delivered in July 1928.

The P-12 was constructed of dural tubing, fabric covered and having wooden wings with corrugated metal control surfaces. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp of 450 hp, the top speed was 171 mph and ceiling 29,000 ft fully loaded.

One XP-12A was built as a test vehicle for the newly NACA cowl. The fuselage was flared to conform to the enlarged nose and shorter landing gear was installed. The XP-12A was a modification of the 10th production P-12. It was later destroyed in a crash.

The original P-12 and P-12B were the only two P-12 models that were not equipped with a speed-ring cowl.

The USAAC ordered ten aircraft similar to the F4B-1 in late 1928, accepting the naval evaluation as being correct. Designated P-12, these differed only by having the arrester hook and other specifically naval equipment deleted. P-12B, of which 90 were built with 317kW Wasp engines, differed very slightly with Frise balanced ailerons and internal improvements and were followed by 96 P-12C, which were similar to the Navy's F4B-2. P-12D, of which 35 were built, had a more powerful 391kW Wasp engine.

The P-12C and P-12D models were improved models and utilised improved and heavier constructed cross-axle landing gear and a speed ring cowl around a Pratt & Whitney Wasp of 550 hp. Many P-12C and D models were fitted later with P-12E type vertical tail surfaces to give better control.

The P-12E introduced an all metal monocopue fuselage with greater greater structural rigidity of the fuselage for higher G loads. Most extensively built of the Army versions was the P-12E. This had a pilot's headrest faired by a turtleback and the more powerful engine of the P-12D. A total of 135 were ordered in 1931, many remaining in service until replaced by P-26A in 1935. The last few of the order were given 447kW / 550 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-19 Wasp engines and the designation P-12F. The P-12F had a top speed of 195 mph and ceiling of 32,000 ft.

The P-12F had a swivel tail wheel in place of a skid. All P-12s in service were later fitted with tail wheels.

The Boeing Model 218 (XP-925H) was the prototype of the P-12E/F4B-3 series. With a 500 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine the P-12E had a top speed of over 190 mph and a service ceiling of 27,000 ft fully loaded.
One P-12E was fitted with a special cockpit enclosure and others had “Panama Conversion Kits” installed.

Experimental test models included;
XP-12G – turbo-supercharged Wasp engine and 3 blade propeller.
XP-12H – basic P-12D with a geared Wasp engine instead of the usual direct drive.
P-12L – engine test model.
P-12J – engine test model.
P-12K – P-12Es modified for fuel injection.

Forty-six F4B-2, delivered in early 1931, had the spreader-bar axle, a tailwheel, Frise ailerons and a neat ring cowling for the engine. They were followed by 21 F4B-3 with a semi-monocoque metal fuselage and 92 F4B-4 which differed by having a larger fin and rudder.

 

 

The F4B-3 and P-12E were identical except for the carrier hook, cabane wire, and double row of rivets, and a tall radio mast on the F4B-3. The F4B-4 served the US Navy and US Marines.

 

The Boeing 100 of 1929 was an ATC’d civil version of the P-12 built as a sport plane and for export. They were lighter in weight and the early models resembled the P-12B in appearance. Seven were built and owners included Howard Hughes, Art Goebel, Tex Rankin and Paul Mantz, as well as several foreign governments. Howard Hughes one was delivered as a two-seater as Model 100-A. Hughes soon had it reconverted to one seat, and it survived as such until 1958.

 

Model 100-A

The Japanese imported a civil Boeing 100 and two Boeing 100Es were exported to Siam in September 1931.

One Boeing 100E survives on display at the Kings Museum, Bangkok, Thailand.

Fourteen F4B-4s were exported to Brazil before World War 2.

A total of 554 in the P-12 – F4B series were built, 110 of which were P-12Es. The one surviving P-12E is on display in “The Air Museum”, Ontario International Airport, Ontario, Canada.

P-12/F4Bs saw service in Panama, Hawaii and the Phillipines. A few went to China and one of them was the first American made plane to shoot down a Japanese plane in combat prior to World War 2.

Two F4B-4 Navy aircraft were released to the CAA Air Safety Board during the early 1930s. Later sold to private buyers, they were used in many pre-war and post-war airshows. One was owned by Hyland Flying Service, Rochester, New York, was later acquired by the Smithsonian Institute and placed on loan to the Navy Museum, fully restored.

 

 

Gallery

75% replica: Reid Boeing P-12E

Variants:

Boeing 83 / XF4B-1
Number built: 1
Serial number / Registration: 8129
First flight: 25 June 1928
Bought by Navy 19 June 1929.

Boeing 89 / XF4B-1
Number built: 1
Serial number / Registration: 8128
First flight: 7 August 1928
Bought by Navy 19 June 1929.
Armament: 500 lb bomb

Boeing 99 / F4B-1
Number built: 27
Serial number / Registration: 8130-8156
First flight: 6 May 1929
Production version of 89. Navy sn8133 converted to executive model.

 

Boeing F4B / P-12
Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-D Wasp
Length: 20.08ft (6.12m)
Width: 29.99ft (9.14m)
Height: 9.32ft (2.84m)
Empty Weight: 2,355lbs (1,068kg)
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 3,611lbs (1,638kg)
Maximum Speed: 188mph (303kmh; 164kts)
Maximum Range: 370miles (595km)
Rate-of-Climb: 1,666ft/min (508m/min)
Service Ceiling: 26,903ft (8,200m)
Armament: 2 x 7.62mm machine guns
Accommodation: 1

Boeing 100
Number built: 4
Serial number / Registration: NS-21, NC872H, C873H, NC874H
First flight: 18 October 1929
Civil version of 83/89.

Boeing 100A
Number built: 1
Serial number / Registration: 247K
First flight: 26 July 1929
Howard Hughes 2 seat version.

Boeing 100E
Number built: 2
Serial number / Registration:
First flight:
Siam P-12E export version.

Boeing 100F
Number built: 1
Serial number / Registration: X10696
First flight: 20 June 1932
Civil P-12F testbed for Pratt & Whitney.

Boeing 101 / XP-12A
Number built: 1
Serial number / Registration: 29-362
First flight: 10 May 1929
Destroyed in mid-air collision.

Boeing 102 / P-12
Number built: 9
Serial number / Registration: 29-353 – 29-361
First flight: 11 April 1929
83, 89 Army version.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 450 hp
Top speed: 171 mph
Ceiling at MAUW: 29,000 ft

Boeing 102B / P-12B
Number built: 90
Serial number / Registration: 29-329 – 29-341, 29-433 – 29-450, 30-29 – 30-87
First flight: 12 May 1930

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 317kW

Boeing 218 / XP-925
Number built: 1
Serial number / Registration: X66W
First flight: 29 September 1930
Army revised P-12B, prototype P-12E & F4B-3.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 500 hp
Top speed: 190+ mph
Service ceiling at MAUW: 27,000 ft

Boeing 222 / P-12C
Number built: 96
Serial number / Registration: 31-147 – 31-229, 31-230 – 31-242
First flight: 31 January 1931
131 ordered, last 35 built as P-12D.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 391kW / 550 hp

Boeing 223 / F4B-2
Number built: 46
Serial number / Registration: 8806, 8613-8639, 8791-8809
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 391kW / 550 hp

Boeing 227 / P-12D
Number built: 35
Serial number / Registration: 31-243 – 31-277
First flight: 2 March 1931
Improved P-12C, last 35 P-12C built as P-12D.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 391kW / 550 hp
Top speed: 188mph

Boeing 234 / P-12E
Number built: 110
Serial number / Registration: 31-553 – 31-586, 32-1 – 32-76
First flight: 15 October 1931
Production 218 models, 1 converted to P-12J, 7 to P-12K.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340E Wasp, 391kW / 550 hp, 500 hp at 6000 ft
Engine compression ration: 6:1
Overall span (Upper): 30 ft
Length: 20 ft 4 11/16 in
Height: 8 ft 9 in
Airfoil section: Boeing 106
Total wing area: 227.5 sq.ft
Upper wing span: 30 ft
Upper wing chord: 60 in
Upper wing diherdral: 0 degs
Upper wing area: 141.4 sq. ft
Lower wing span: 26 ft 4 in
Lower wing chord: 45 in
Lower wing diherdral: 2 degs
Lower wing area: 86.1 sq. ft
Empty weight: 1981.5 lb
Fuel: 300 lb
Wing loading: 11.75 lb/sq.ft
Loaded weight: 2674.3 lb
Landing speed; 59 mph
Cruise speed: 167 mph
Max speed: 190 mph
Range at cruise: 475 miles
Armament: 2 x .30 Browning 30M mg or 1 x .30 mg and 1 x .50 mg, and 2 x M-3 bombs

Boeing 235 / F4B-3
Number built: 21
Serial number / Registration: 8891-8911
Production 218 models.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340D Wasp, 391kW / 550 hp
Speed: 187 mph at 6000 ft
Empty weight: 2200 lb
Armament: 2 x .30 Browing mg or 1 x .30 and 1 x .50 cal mg

Boeing 235 / F4B-4
Number built: 92
Serial number / Registration: 8912-8920, 9009-9053, 9226-9263
Improved F4B-3, larger tail. 14 to Brazil.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340D Wasp, 500 hp
Speed: 187 mph at 6000 ft
Empty weight: 2312 lb
Armament: 2 x .30 Browing mg or 1 x .30 and 1 x .50 cal mg

Boeing 251 / P-12F
Number built: 25
Serial number / Registration: 31-77 – 31-101
Improved P-12E.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-19 Wasp, 447kW / 550 hp
Top speed: 195 mph
Ceiling: 32,000 ft

Boeing 256 / “1932”
Number built: 14
Export F4B-4s from Navy order to Brazil.

Boeing 267 / F4B-3 / P-12E
Number built: 9
F4B-3 fuselage, P-12E wings. Light export model to Brazil.

XP-12G
turbo-supercharged Wasp engine and 3 blade propeller.

XP-12H
basic P-12D with a geared Wasp engine instead of the usual direct drive.

P-12L
engine test model.

P-12J
engine test model.

P-12K
P-12Es modified for fuel injection.