Warplanes preserved in the USA: Ohio: Dayton, National Museum of the USAF: Fisher P-75A Eagle interceptor

Warplane Survivors USA: Ohio, Dayton, National Museum of the USAF: Fisher P-75A Eagle

(NMUSAF Photo)

Fisher P-75A Eagle (Serial No. 44-44553). The Fisher Body Division of General Motors developed the P-75 Eagle to fill an urgent need for an interceptor early in the Second World War. 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.