the remainder were sent to the far east air force in the philippines beginning in february 1941. eventually all pilots of the three pursuit squadrons on luzon transitioned to the p-35a from the p-26. about 10 of these were lost in accidents. the p-35s were used primarily as gunnery trainers by all three squadrons because of a critical shortage of .50-caliber ammunition in the far east air force, placing a strain on the engines of all the aircraft since no replacement engines were available. in october 1941, the p-35s were earmarked for transfer to the philippine army air corps after sufficient curtiss p-40 warhawks were received by the feaf.