Nicknamed the "Peashooter", the P-26 was first flown on March, 20th, 1932.

During the years 1932-1934 the P-26 set several speed and altitude records. It was a popular, well performing aircraft until it was outclassed by more modern fighters.

Delivery of the Peashooters began in December 1933, and the last plane in the series, designated P-26C, was rolled from the Boeing assembly line in 1936.

The P-26 remained in active service for many years. In November 1940, a full year after the start of World War 2, the U.S. Army's entire fighter strength in the Philippines consisted of P-26 aircraft. Most of these were destroyed during the first Japanese attacks, but two of them became the first American fighters to shoot down Japanese aircraft.

The last of the P-26s were still flying with Guatemala's Air Force in 1957, having been kept in service for over 15 years.