Silvered Wings: Boeing Model 100/P-12 (1929)

Boeing Model 100/P-12 NC873H (1929)

The Boeing Model 100 was described as “a dashing and handsome single-seater of terrific performance” when it debuted in 1928. In addition to the civil-commercial version were variants for the Navy’s F4B and the Army’s P-12 fighters. Its design was one of the best-known and -loved military airplanes of 1929-1939.

The Model 100 was powered with the nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney “Wasp” 450-horsepower engine. Of the four examples sent to various departments and companies for evaluation, NC873H was used as a Boeing factory demonstrator, destined for an active and eventful life. Eventually it was acquired by famous Hollywood stunt pilot Paul Mantz for its debut on the silver screen.

Civil Air Patrol flew NC873H during World War II out of the Michigan Wing. It survives today, restored to flyable condition, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Maj. Ron Finger is a freelance illustrator and member of the Minnesota Wing’s Crow Wing Composite Squadron. Recently honored by the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame as Artist of the Year, he is an Air Force Art Program artist, where a select pool of artists are assigned “art missions” to document specific U.S. Air Force operations. 

Among his duties as Civil Air Patrol’s national artist, Finger researches and creates art that portrays our historical emergency service. A personal goal is to complete paintings documenting every aircraft type CAP has flown. 

This is the 20th painting in Finger’s second series of depictions of vintage CAP aircraft. More of Finger’s CAP artwork can be seen at redpine.net.

Silvered Wings No. 1 — Fleetwings Sea Bird F-401Silvered Wings No. 2 — Curtiss-Wright 15-D SedanSilvered Wings No. 3 — Rearwin Sportster 7000Silvered Wings No. 4 — Cessna U-3B “Blue Canoe”Silvered Wings No. 5 — Aeronca C-3 (1932)Silvered Wings No. 6 — Rearwin Sportster 900-LSilvered Wings No. 7 —Travel Air C-4000Silvered Wings No. 8 — Kinner “Sportster B”Silvered Wings No. 9 — Boeing Model 40-A/BSilvered Wings No. 10 — Brunner-Winkle “Bird,” BK (1929)Silvered Wings No. 11 —Meyers OTW-125 “Out-To-Win”Silvered Wings No. 12 — Cessna 0-1/L-19 Bird DogSilvered Wings No. 13 —Monocoupe 90A Silvered Wings No. 14 — Silvered Wings: North American/Ryan L-17A NavionSilvered Wings No. 15 — Aeronca LBSilvered Wings No. 16 — Helio U-10D/HT-295 Super CourierSilvered Wings No. 17 — Aero Commander L-26/U-4B 55-4647Silvered Wings No. 18 — Bellanca “Cruisair” 14-12-F3 (1941)Silvered Wings No. 19 — Cessna 150D (1964)