The Fisher Body Division of General Motors developed the P-75 Eagle to fill an urgent need for an interceptor early in World War II. The original P-75 design incorporated the most powerful inline engine available and components from other aircraft as a way to expedite production.
Flight tests in late 1943 revealed unsatisfactory performance with the first two XP-75 prototypes. At the same time, the Eagle’s mission was changed to long-range escort. Ultimately, the idea of using other aircraft components had to be abandoned.
Fisher continued development of the design with the heavily-modified P-75A. By the fall of 1944, however, the U.S. Army Air Forces already had capable escort aircraft like the P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt, and it canceled the order for 2,500 P-75As. Only eight XP-75s and six P-75As were built.
TECHNICAL NOTES (P-75A):
Armament: 10 .50-cal. machine guns and two 500-lb. bombs
Engine: Allison V-3420 of 2,885 hp
Maximum speed: 430 mph
Range: 2,600 miles
Service ceiling: 36,400 feet
Weight: 19,420 lbs. loaded
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