Unbelievable Story of P-26 Peashooter: How This Plane Bravely Battled the Zeros!

Japanese invasion of Philippines began only hours after the Pearl Harbor raid. American defenders were unprepared and many of their aircraft were destroyed on the ground. One unit which evaded the initial destruction was the 6th Philippine Pursuit Squadron equipped with obsolete Boeing P-26s, known as 'Peashooters'. Led by Captain Jesus Villamor, this unit achieved almost impossible... they were able to shoot down Japanese airplanes.
Main Sources:
- John Toland - But Not in Shame - The Six Months After Pearl Harbor
amzn.to/3wFT7JP
- Bill Yenne - MacArthur’s Air Force American Airpower over the Pacific and the Far East, 1941-1951
amzn.to/3kP4CMz
- Edward T. Maloney - Boeing P-26 Peashooter
amzn.to/3kLrI6H
- Peter Bowers - Boeing P-26 Variants
amzn.to/3kGJVCh
- Jesus A. Villamor - They Never Surrendered: A True Story of Resistance in World War II
amzn.to/3JmqWay
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Music: Kazoom - Among the Cherry Blossom
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#militaryaviationhistory #wwii #p26

[@showtime112]

Correction: P-26 entered service in 1933, not 1932.

[@Mthammere2010]

It would be nice if you had added a link to your Patreon page. Thank God your content is great.

[@CZ350tuner]

The P-26's armament was 1 x 30 calibre (left side) & 1 x 50 calibre (right side) shooting between the engine cylinders.

[@JamesHartman-qc4pq]

Cesar Basa's P-26 was very low on fuel but he still engaged the enemy. He and Jesus Villamor were two of my father-in-law's (a Philippine Air Force veteran) heroes and are mine also. My wife was born on Basa Air Force Base in Pampanga province! Thank you so much for this video!

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for giving your personal connection to the story!

[@loveofmangos001]

Jesus? The Philippines people seem extremely religious

[@JamesHartman-qc4pq]

@@loveofmangos001 The name Jesus (pronounced like "Hay Soos") is a common Spanish first name.

[@geeeeeee3]

I had no idea about them even having an Air Force. You should be very proud of them.

[@geeeeeee3]

@ThyPeasantSlayer just goes to show you what propaganda can do. I always thought the zero was completely overrated

[@davidwhitney1171]

The narrator mentions in passing the Brewster Buffalo F2A as one of the "obsolete" American fighter planes at the beginning of WWII. However, while sub-par in its intended role as a carrier based naval fighter, during the "Winter War" between Finland and the USSR, the Finnish pilots used these same planes with great effectiveness against Soviet aircraft...

[@showtime112]

Yeah, the Finns were notorious for making good use of aircraft that didn't perform well elsewhere. But we need to consider that Soviet Air Force of that period was nowhere near the Japanese in terms of quality.

[@kaletovhangar]

@awesome guy Not the aircraft but the Soviet pilot training was awfully inadequate for most of the war.There were even directives aimed at prohibiting acrobatics due to many accidents occurring before 1941.

[@bernardedwards8461]

Too late for Winter War, but in time for Continuation War of 1941.

[@rocketassistedgoat1079]

@@showtime112 Yup, they made great use of the early Mk.1 Blenheim too. Probably the most successful use of that aircraft. They somehow kept them alive too.

[@seanbryan4833]

The Finns got the early model F2As, before the Navy added radios and armor plating to later versions, the weight of which which turned a fairly nimble plane into a sluggish deathtrap. The Finns made good use of those early, nimble models.

[@flightlinemedia]

Nice work. A very overlooked part of history. I remember learning about this for the first time looking at a 1/48 Hobbycraft P-26 that featured this livery. Well done!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for another comment! I really like bringing out these lesser known historical events.

[@dharmendrasharma1458]

WW2 combat is so fascinating and cool, can’t wait for more.

[@showtime112]

There will probably be more, thanks for the comment!

[@segram3]

Villamor was a great and brave pilot. Nice video, he deserves it very much. Thank you.

[@showtime112]

I agree, thank you for the comment!

[@geeeeeee3]

What happened to him?

[@showtime112]

@@geeeeeee3 He was active as an intelligence officer until the end of WWII. He died in 1971.

[@kristoffermangila]

@CT Yankee the present headquarters of the Philippine Air Force in Pasay City is named after him, while his wingman, Cesar Basa, is the namesake of an airbase in Pampanga province (which was part of the former Clark Air Base facility).

[@jlfigueroa2924]

he was the pilot instructor of Gen. Eiseinhower

[@VikingTeddy]

The P-26 was one of the few fighters that could turn with the zero.

[@showtime112]

True. But Zero pilot had plenty of other options. Thanks for commenting!

[@VikingTeddy]

@@showtime112 And most importantly, they had experience. The USAAF was fighting veterans. No, thank *you*.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@showtime112 - While the Zero had 20mm cannon and MGs, the P-26 had 2 rifle-caliber machine guns(M-1919 30.06 or 7.62mm). Still, in the hands of a determined pilot, the P-26 was capable, as the video shows.

[@garycleveland6410]

That was truly courageous. The zero was vastly superior to the P-26.

[@showtime112]

Exactly!

[@rodneypayne4827]

Not in flat turn,climb and roll rate. The 26 was an excellent aerobatic aircraft being very light,for these reasons and weren't easy to kill. The Japanese had the advantage of excellent gunnery training and most had combat experience over China.

[@jimsaintamour2]

Hey sorry to hear the channel is under threat of ending!!! You're channel is one of my absolute favorites. I just sent a donation through PayPal

[@showtime112]

I appreciate your financial support, it has arrived! You just made the future of the channel a little less uncertain.

[@rainerflormata]

Thank you for featuring my country🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching!

[@oveidasinclair982]

Took guts to go up in those old antiques against Zero's

[@showtime112]

Oh yes, it's a miracle that Japanese pilors only shot down one of them.

[@borisbadinov7757]

great video. I feel that Americans do not fully understand the sacrifices made by our brave Filipino allies. We owe them so much.

[@showtime112]

I agree!

[@parkmallbaby]

I'm Filipino and many guerrilla leaders and fighters were also Americans who escaped and did not surrender. They led outfits like Edwin Ramsey's Ramsey's Raiders, James Cushing's Cebu Guerrillas, Wendell Fertig in Mindanao and Robert Lapham's Lapham's Raiders to name a few. Their stories are like epic adventures but there's this strange phenomena both with the Americans and Filipinos is that they invested very little in acknowledging the exploits of WW2 underground movement in the Philippines. Then again most WW2 stories are always about Europe. Although I personally blame academia here mostly populated by left-wing nationalists and they concentrate on colonial history - conflicts between natives and foreigners.

[@borisbadinov7757]

@@parkmallbaby I am happy the relations between our countries are coming back to normal. We need to be friends forever.

[@parkmallbaby]

@@borisbadinov7757 If you meant Duterte's time he didn't want to be told how to run the country by US politicians Western activist organizations and thats why he kept attacking your government. There's just devious elements who labelled that anti-American especially when he refused to be a proxy in the US conflict with China but that's politics and media for you. He kept saying his foreign policy is 'Friend to all, enemy to none.'

[@borisbadinov7757]

@@parkmallbaby So how is being a friend to china working out for you guys?

[@garyrivera8405]

My father was a Philippine Air Force pilot and flew the P-26 . He fought as a guerilla after the airforce was obliterated. He then flew an L4 and directed ground artillery when the Americans returned. “My best revenge” he said.

[@tonyvera-cruz6422]

Thank you Showtime 112!!! Finally, the exploits of the Filipino pilots in defense of their country December 1941 has been depicted. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching and commenting! It was worth reenacting and drawing attention to.

[@jethanmatthewbahian5545]

First Video Philippines History dogfight thank you I am Philippines to! And my dad is philippines Air Force helicopter combat pilot

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback, I hope you liked the video!

[@patrickkopytek5600]

Thanks! What an incredible story of Phillipino Courage an the beginning of WWII in alliance with the United States and in the defense of the Philippines.

[@showtime112]

I am glad you liked the video and I appreciate your financial support!

[@prieten49]

The Japanese also entered the war with a few fixed landing gear aircraft. Hats off to Capt. Villamor and all other Filipinos who showed great courage during the war.

[@showtime112]

Thanks for the comment!

[@damndirtyrandy7721]

Val and Clyde to name a couple

[@janozkk]

The Japanese had the Mitsubishi Claude, PAAC pilots flying from Del Monte tangled with them on 12/10/1941. It was a draw no losses to both sides. PAAC my dad’s fellow pilot Lt. Eduardo Lacson flew a P-35 in that encounter

[@ryanu6424]

It's not the plane, It's the pilot's skills and experience.

[@jerry5876]

Up to a point, yes

[@entireanarchy2293]

That's debatable, while the p-26 was certainly inferior to Japanese zeros and other American fighters at the time, it was still more manouverable and had a slower stall speed allowing it to turn fight in dogfights a lot more effectively. It's about using a plane to it's advantages and avoiding it's disadvantages more than the individual pilot and plane.

[@jerry5876]

@@entireanarchy2293 your last sentence is confusing. In order to maximize the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of the plane, it would depend on the skill of the pilot.

[@entireanarchy2293]

@@jerry5876 what I'm trying to get at is both the pilot and the plane are just as important as the other and some pilots do better with one plane over another.

[@jerry5876]

@@entireanarchy2293 I see, that actually is better to view the plane and pilot as the whole than separately. Better than saying something cheesy like it's the pilot not the plane

[@tirebiter1680]

A zero was captured and sent to Grumman. they created the Hellcat F6F which was exactly what you needed to kill a zero.

[@showtime112]

The one in the Aleutians, yes. It was a lucky break.

[@fsolisiii]

They were already developing the Hellcat when the Akutan Zero was found, when they got the Plane, they discovered many flaws with the A6M

[@Cipher422]

Thank you for featuring some of our country's heroes... 👍

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Suggest the video to your countrymen.

[@vulpesvulpes5177]

Very nice. Well outside the norm of historical “mainstream”. While not decisive this illustrates that even an old obsolete machine still has “teeth”. What you don’t mention is that the Philippine air corps is one of a very few that embraced the tactics of Clair Chenault’s “pursuit fighter” book. Today it’s remembered as the method by which less technically advanced planes stopped the zero. But at that time and in that day the establishment flyers were still training to dog-fight. A folly with the zero in 1939-43. The navy in particular learned this the hard way. But by the battle of coral sea they too had adopted the tactics of that “army guy” as he was informally called. You might consider a look at Chennault. As early as 1929 he was advocating his pursuit tactic. So much so that he was relieved of his commission as a colonel. Yet history has shown him to have been correct, if not prophetic. The final proof being in his All Volunteer Force aka flying tigers.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for contributing additional details on tis subject!

[@julianlau5579]

A very impressive and interesting video. Thank you. The background is excellent and the planes are indeed what they should have looked like. There are some historical misalignments. The G4M Betty's did not attack Pearl Harbor, instead they were busy around Malaysia, attacking the 2 RN ships with G3M Nells. If the local changes to the Phillipines, this air battle could have happened. As G4Ms attacked the Philippines and some P-26s were stationed there. Thank you for the upload and will enjoy your next masterpiece.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for another feedback, it helps the video!

[@panzerivausfg4062]

There's no part in the video that shows G4Ms attacking Pearl Harbour... You're talking nonsense

[@williamkoppos7039]

The Japanese bombers had to be G3M's as the P-26 could not catch G4M's. P-40's had trouble catching them. Villamor and his pilots certainly had steel gonads but legends can grow over time.

[@showtime112]

They could have been G3Ms, I agree. But in this case, the P-26s managed to position themselves ahead of the formation which was returning to Formosa so they could make one head-on pass. Sources mention both bomber tapes attacking one after another.

[@lokro7722]

Head-on…

[@alejandrocasalegno1657]

The "Head-On" attack to the japanese bomber is interesting, in November 1942, when the USAAF B-17/24 began the daylight raids to Germany, the Luftwaffe Ace Egon Mayer proposed the front attack to the bombers, was the defensive fire more weak zone of the plane, in the first sortie with the "Head-On" tactic, Meyer shot down a B-17 and one B-24. "Luftwaffe Viermot Aces" by Robert Forsyth Osprey Publishing.

[@showtime112]

It's much harder to aim but it can be very effective. In Peashooter's case, I think it was the only chance for an attack (as long as the positioned themselves ahead on time).

[@yveaux500]

Another gem. Thank you for teaching us about this unknown battle. I hope you can continue the channel. I will try to make a donation.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the positive feedback! Anything you can send will be put to good use :)

[@fredferd965]

The P-26 may actually be the only American fighter in the war that could out maneuver the Zero, although it could not outrun it. If memory serves correctly, it was also the last fighter designed and put in service by the Boeing aircraft company. All of the fighters they have now were designed by other companies.

[@showtime112]

I think that is correct. When I hear something like 'Boeing F-15', it sound sooo unnatural 😁

[@kaletovhangar]

F3F could also outturn it,but in 1941 it was mostly relegated to training purposes and all aircraft were in mainland USA when the Japanese attacked.

[@fredferd965]

@@kaletovhangar You are right! Thank you!

[@jaex9617]

Thanks for posting this remarkable piece of history.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for appreciating it!

[@redtomcat1725]

Heroes all! Outnumber in obsolete under gunned planes but went head on against superior planes, better trained pilots, against all odds! Thank you for bringing these pilots to light !!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I agree that they were heroes.

[@bjmccann1]

Thanks!

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much, your financial support helps the channel into the future!

[@thechillphil]

Salute to Villamor, Basa and all the other brave Filipino pilots who defended the nation. 🇵🇭

[@shootfirst2097]

I could watch these CGI/AI re-creations of the first two years of the South Pacific air and naval battles FOREVER! I'm sure the quality will get EVEN BETTER in the coming years.

[@showtime112]

Let's hope so :) Thank you for the positive feedback!

[@Hypernova1231]

Thank you for this video! Much appreciated.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching and being a subscriber!

[@robkunkel8833]

The World owes these men a great deal and, yes, they deserve to be supported.

[@showtime112]

I agree, thanks for commenting!

[@colehenriques8736]

Nooo man your probably my favourite yt I’ll donate somthing if I can man keep up the awesome work

[@showtime112]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll appreciate anything you can send. Keep watching!

[@eduardodeandres3864]

Thanks again. Good job pal!

[@showtime112]

I am very happy to hear it, thank you!

[@patshes1951]

Excelent content . Thank you . One of the best youtube channels.

[@showtime112]

I am very happy to hear you appreciate the video and the rest of the content! Keep watching!

[@cyriusblack7850]

Cool b/w shots!

[@showtime112]

Thanks! I try to introduce new elements. The next video will be heavy on that, I hope you like it.

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Great Video, thanks for sharing !

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@viggen3535]

Another good video as always!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for your support!

[@jasonalmendra3823]

Jesus Villamor was Eisenhower's flight instructor.

[@pittbullking87]

Very interesting! What courage to go up against a zero in a P-26.

[@showtime112]

Thanks for commenting! I agree, those guys were brave.

[@fab_gaming106]

An amazing story!

[@showtime112]

Yes, it certainly is.

[@williamhatmaker2202]

They sure do deserve to be remembered they were brave men

[@showtime112]

Absolutely! Thank you for commenting!

[@josephfenech9401]

Wow! That is an amazing story I'm hearing!! A novice P-26 fighter pilot vs veteran A6M2 Zero! Truly an interesting story.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@Matterian]

You have to use what you have been given to the best of your ability to save your country. Brave men all of them knowing that they were out gunned in the air and still went there.

[@showtime112]

Exactly! There are other cases similar to this and I hope to cover them too.

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@showtime112]

Thanks, I'm glad you appreciate it!

[@longrider42]

The problem with the Buffalo was how heavy it was, due to US Army requirements. When we sent Buffalo's to the Finn's for the Winter War. They stripped out all the armor, removed every thing that was not needed, and it was a very good little plane indeed.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for adding info!

[@bernardedwards8461]

The Buffalos didn't arrive in time for the Winter War, but were used extensivly and with great success in the Contiuation War of 1941.

[@longrider42]

@@bernardedwards8461 Thanks for the correction, and also you to realized how good that little plane could be, when stripped of all the extra weight. I guess I got confused, see pictures of them on ski's with Finnish markings. Not the markings mind you. Any ways, thanks again.

[@seanbryan4833]

The Finns got the early models, built before the Navy insisted on adding heavy radios and armor plating to meet Navy specifications.

[@michaeltelson9798]

The Army didn’t fly Buffaloes, the Navy did. They were used in the Pacific Theater by the British in Malaysia and Burma. The Dutch may have had some in Indonesia, Java in particular.

[@garnix6390]

Really cool Video!

[@showtime112]

I'm glad to hear you liked it!

[@richardwolf8024]

Brave men all.

[@showtime112]

No doubt about it.

[@elasadito541]

I love these underdog stories. It reminds me of the Wirraway against the Zero, I don't know if the stories were true.

[@showtime112]

Yeah, me too! I might try to research that, could be interesting.

[@elasadito541]

@@showtime112 It would be amazing!

[@offshorequest]

Another good video !

[@showtime112]

Thanks, I appreciate your comment!

[@thebuddhaofknowledgemichae2486]

Yep. The founder of the legendary Squadron blue diamonds of the Philippine Air Force. The same squadron my Uncle served during the 70s.

[@showtime112]

Thanks for commenting!

[@someoneelse53301]

never thought youd do a video on this, nice!

[@showtime112]

You mean because I do mostly jets? I'm interested in all the periods, I might even do some WWI someday 😉

[@beatglauser9444]

Capt. Villamor was a legentary and heroic pilot. He was mentionned by Pierre Clostermann if I am not mistaken. I heard that he made flights that were nearly suicidal flying in equipent from other islands to suport The US and Filipino soldiers and airmen.

[@showtime112]

Nobody can deny his heroism, I agree.

[@stulynn2005]

History deserves to be told Thanks

[@showtime112]

Thank you for commenting!

[@jessehamm3573]

What's also amazing is that, of all the allied aircraft fielded during the Philippines campaign, only the P-26 was able to achieve any aerial victories against Japanese bombers. The P-35s and P-40s made repeated attempts to intercept the raiders, but always fell foul of the Japanese Zeroes.

[@showtime112]

Little Fighter That Could 😁

[@TheWareek]

When they went up they must have know how futile. BUT they still went up. Brave men indeed.

[@showtime112]

No doubt about it.

[@fineart8089]

Danke!

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much! Your support makes the future of the channel more bright!

[@kalui96]

Oh, how far Boeing has come!

[@showtime112]

You can say that again! 😁

[@jimmywrangles]

Extraordinary.

[@showtime112]

I appreciate your comment!

[@Tipi_Dan]

The Peashooter's shortcomings are all forgiven because it is one of the cutest planes in the world. And her--- in that classic WW2 drab livery. So dutiful, businesslike, and spare. So rugged and utilitarian of line, and shape, and stance. She could have been designed by Harley Earl. Our host should do a video on the cutest planes. I'm not sure were the cut-off point would be: 5?, 10?, 15? Any suggestions?

[@showtime112]

You are right, P-26 is incredibly charming 😁 I might make another video on it. They fought in China too, I'll research it someday.

[@Tipi_Dan]

@@showtime112 But the "cuteness"! I'm sure we'll have different lists but for my part, the BeeGee Racer, the Fliesler Storch, the P26, the Neiuport 11, and the Dewoitine D.520 are my top five.

[@raresandrei2343]

Good video ,showtime .I ve enjoyed a lot during last months watching your videos.I would like to ask you something - Would you do a video on Roumanian aviation during ww2 ?esspecialy on Bazu Cantacuzziono?We had a lot of interesting aces ))).

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much! I might do something about Romanian aces from WWII sometimes in the future. I actually have the Osprey's book somewhere, I read it a long time ago.

[@sanfordschoolfield710]

Thanks

[@showtime112]

Thank you for your financial support, it is appreciated!

[@noahsawesomevids422]

Wow im amazed new sub

[@showtime112]

Thank you for commenting and subscribing!

[@merhimaq1011]

Just like The decisive Battle Of Midway. It was a decisive match between IJN Zero (Most advance Aircraft at That time) And P-26 (Near Obsolete or Obsolete Aircraft). It's a testament for The Filipino Fighters. That with this kind of war machine they can go up against a much tougher, advanced and superior IJN. This is The Fighting Spirit they possess.

[@showtime112]

Exactly. Thanks for the comment!

[@merhimaq1011]

@@showtime112 By The way. Thank you for your Great Video. God Bless

[@mafiosomemer3730]

*🎶To the guardians of our precious skies* *We sing this grateful song* *As they lay their lives in sacrifice* *To keep our ramparts strong!🎶*

[@kenmontgomery2910]

It's sad. I've learned so much from this channel and I'm a retired military fanatic of history! Google is evil and I hope we can save this channel, not just for me but any young individual thirsty for knowledge!!!

[@showtime112]

That was an inspired comment, I really appreciate it!

[@marksanchez9341]

Another great video thanks for all you do...just curious. Im sure you have already been asked this but are you planning to make videos. About the air war in Ukrain ?

[@showtime112]

Thanks! I'm not particularly drawn towards the current conflict. I think it takes some time for it to be properly assessed and researched. I can't say anything for sure but it doesn't seem like I'm gonna do it before the conflicts ends.

[@ratagris21]

Excellent video - proves it's the pilot and not the plane who wins the battle even if the odds are against you. Thanks for the aerial history lesson. 🎩♠️🇺🇲🏁🎱🇺🇦🌻🌼💮🌸🏵️🏴‍☠️🏹

[@ratagris21]

I've also contributed a little something for the program. Thanks for all you do. 🎩♠️🎯

[@showtime112]

Thank you for yet another positive feedback!

[@showtime112]

And I am very grateful for the tangible support! There's hope 😉

[@michaelwalter3399]

The Japanese put far too much confidence in the A6M. Toward the end of the war they were still producing the Zero with no significant modifications.

[@showtime112]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it. It doesn't always work 😁

[@wm.tomlinson1434]

A warrior is a warrior is a warrior.

[@showtime112]

This guy certainly was one, thank you for commenting!

[@sandrotomasetto6322]

Valeu!

[@showtime112]

Muito obrigado! Your support helps keep the channel in business!

[@aeuphrosine]

Ah lovely A6M Reisen ❤❤❤❤

[@showtime112]

Reminds me that I should cover the Pacific war more in the future :)

[@aeuphrosine]

sure@@showtime112

[@andrewbranch4075]

Thank you. Great video about something that I hadn't been aware of. I didn't know that the Philippines had an airforce. I just assumed it was an American protectorate.👍

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback! I think they still were a protectorate but they were being prepared for independence.

[@luisricardojaviernunezzamb8352]

¡¡Villamoros!!❤❤❤😢

[@jaydenchinjunruistudent4208]

These are forgotten heroes. I can’t see why they are forgotten. 😢

[@showtime112]

So it happens a lot but that's why I love doing videos like that, to bring attention to people like that.

[@mattmilsop4003]

Your videos are fantastic. Thank you so much for doing this. I'd like to make a request: Could you do some videos on the Israeli B-17 Flying Fortress operations?

[@showtime112]

Thank you for commenting and for being with the channel for so long! I do plan to cover the B-17 operations by IDF/AF, it can be done in WT. I can't tell you yet exactly when, it depends on my current inspiration.

[@mattmilsop4003]

@@showtime112 Okay. I look forward to it and all your other work.

[@raphaelmiguelbalon9226]

Salamat!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@dualsportbandit]

Awesome story and Cinematics, Showtime!

[@showtime112]

Thanks, I appreciate this feedback!

[@dualsportbandit]

@@showtime112 most welcome! i am a fellow media editor, and i know the effort that goes into production! Great job!

[@apfelsnutz]

The P-26 could deninitely dice it up with the A6M1 "Zero. They were only outgunned... not out manuvered !

[@showtime112]

Exactly!

[@michaelsuarez6901]

The First Philippines' legendary pilots!

[@Coronel_Leon]

If based on War Thunder, that is the P-26A-34 armament 2 7.67mm machine guns 500 rounds per gun. I am a P-26A-33 pilot in RB and SB and facing the Ki-10 or the Japanese A5M is not an easy thing. Always try to launch attacks in Boom Zoomer with enough energy and do a dive at 80 degrees, which is the best option if it is a solo attack and go out in Zoom run and use the energy to flee. It does have its merit to confront the Japanese with the P-26.

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

Brave Japanese pilots! 👍

[@showtime112]

You are probably sarcastic but generally speaking, I don't think they lacked courage. They even continued to fight in later phase of the war when they were heavily outnumbered and outgunned.

[@maikaymtgmng7612]

Bro i cant wait for ww3 combat video in yt soon 😊

[@LuisdeMontevideo]

Igual es una máquina muy bella

[@showtime112]

Some say it was ugly but I think there's something special about it.

[@marks1638]

When was a very young kid (I'm 64) we toured a local airport looking at old airplanes used by the "Confederate Air Force" (now called Commemorative Air Force). One of them was this strange little fighter noted in this video, that looked like a cross between WWI fighter and WWII fighter. Metal mono winged open cockpit with wires extending from wings/wheels to the main fuselage. At the time they had several P-26's still flying in the US. I don't know what happened to them as I've never seen another one anywhere in the US (other than museums). I always thought they were a neat little airplane.

[@showtime112]

I don't know what happened to the one you saw. As far as I can find, there's just one example flyable today. It is the property of Planes of Fame Museum and it served in Guatemala until late 1950s.

[@marks1638]

@@showtime112 We're going down that way in early March, I'll have to stop by and see the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. I've been to several air museums over the years and the only time I've seen a P26 is at the Smithsonian in DC. It will be nice to see one that's not a display model.

[@showtime112]

@@marks1638 I envy you 😁

[@pauldehart744]

@@showtime112 I saw that P26 there a couple of years ago. I think it is a great looking plane and would of loved to own one, but that will never happen for me. But the one that the Museum has is in great shape, you would love seeing it.

[@showtime112]

@@pauldehart744 Owning one would be a bit ambitious 😁 But seeing one in a museum or even better, at an airshow must be a great experience.

[@cmanningdeal6228]

I heard it was about 4 hours...the Attack occured at 8 am Hawaii time...that being 8 December in the Phillipenes which was across the International date line, making it the 8 th. As soon as reports came in by radio, Aircraft were alerted and launched at dawn, but had ran low on fuel and landed..just in time for the first bomber wave to arrive from Japanese bases in Formosa [ Taiwan ] at about noon, local time..

[@showtime112]

It could be that some kind of a miscalculation took place there because of time zones.

[@cmanningdeal6228]

@@showtime112 Wake Island had the same issue, being hit by bombers at noon the 8. th. And Midway was a mess, being fought within a half an hour of the idl...PBY's took off on the 4 th, attacked on the6 th. and returned on the 5 th. during a midnight attack..YIPES !

[@BA-gn3qb]

Must have been the camouflage paint. Gets em every time.

[@showtime112]

I think grey camouflages should be banned 😁

[@JTelli786]

How'd you make this? Using Warthunders AI? Or just get a lot of friends and volunteers together?

[@showtime112]

For now, it's just AI. For some more complex battles, I will eventually have to recruit other humans.

[@zagreb123123]

❤️👌

[@showtime112]

😁

[@jrpc453]

Nice vid. But "... heard the distant bells from the church in Manila."😆. Villamor's air station was in Batangas, 80+ kilometers from Manila. The Japanese bombers were G3M Nells, though, not G4M Bettys. Nells aren't available in War Thunder for Showtime112 to use.

[@showtime112]

As far as I could find, Villamor was stationed at Zablan Field which is just north of Manila.

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

About the aircraft numbers, there were 28 at the time, and 12 were operational. On December 10, captain villamor led three pursuit planes, so there's 4 in the air. And in December 12 *six* flew (including him)...against *54* mitsubishi g3m "nell" bombers, not G4M Bettys

[@meldwinramos9656]

I really wish that Yarnhub will make a video about Villamor and his squadron someday.

[@showtime112]

Really don't know what to say to that 😁😁😁

[@irvingnerdbaum7256]

There is a HOBBYCRAFT 1/48 scale kit of a Filipino P-26 Peashooter. I have it ......someplace, if I could find it. It may be able to be found on eBay. This is a great digital recreation of the action that took place all those years ago.

[@showtime112]

Ah, modelling! My old hobby that I hope to return to someday. Thanks for commenting!

[@Ingulf_The_Mad]

The spanish one met a C.R.32 near Getafe iirc, and was quickly shoot down.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for providing additional info!

[@AwesomeNinja1027]

I'm pretty sure that there are other fighter pilots of the Philippine Army Air Corp who might have written their encounters with the zeros. But might have been given the instruction not to divulge any information about it. This is just a wild guess on my part. But this just shows that Filipino pilots can be at par with their foreign counterparts. The life of Jesus Villamor should be made into a movie. Especially his time as a fighter pilot. He and other Filipino war veterans truly personify the Filipino fighting spirit.

[@showtime112]

It would make an excellent movie, I agree.

[@spitefulwar]

I once read that P-26 was even pressed later into the battle of Midway where it failed to shot down any planes.

[@showtime112]

I can't say that I've found anything about that. Do you remember the source?

[@penelopegreene]

Then again, most planes fail to shoot down many planes! XD

[@dominiqueroudier9401]

Battle of Midway. Thé B26 marauder started his first mission with TBF Avenger...but desastrous

[@spudskie3907]

The P-26 was never at Midway.

[@penelopegreene]

@@spudskie3907 I think they meant the buffalo.

[@estraextras3717]

The video is really nice but i feel a bit of bacground music or something would make it even better

[@showtime112]

Thanks for the feedback! I was always a bit reluctant to include music throughout the video. Sometimes, I get pretty bad reactions to music I use for the intros. But I suppose that can work. The next video to be released actually features music during the main scenes too. We'll see how people respond :)

[@estraextras3717]

@@showtime112 just make it so its not too loud or out of place

[@Eminence_in_shadow]

Hi can you cover battle for Singapore

[@showtime112]

Hi! Probably yes, I think that airplanes involved in it are available. Not sure about a map which might stand in.

[@warhawk4494]

I wish we could get this Skin in Warthunder for th P-26 Peashooter I mean.

[@showtime112]

Well, you can install it. Other players won't see it but who cares about them?

[@warhawk4494]

@@showtime112 you have a very good point. Lol I'll look it up. Thank you for letting me know it's in there