Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7901 F4B-4, 6-F-1 VF-6 of USS Saratoga California 1936

1/48 scale pre-finished Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic. Professionally painted. All markings pad applied for superb results. Comes with a pilot that can be removed. Comes with display stand.

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 4th and final variant of the F4B was the -4 that first flew in July 1931. Of the 92 that were built 21 were assigned to the USMC. The F4B/P-12 was the last wooden-winged, biplane fighter that Boeing produced and used by the U.S. Military. The large purchase of 586 aircraft of all variants was partly to help Boeing survive the Great Depression and establish it as a major aircraft manufacturer. VF-6 served on board the USS Saratoga from 1932 - 1936.

Specifications for Boeing P-12 / F4B (Model 83/89) Total Produced All Variants - 586 First Flight - June 25, 1928 Role - Fighter Biplane Crew - 1 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)