A rarity indeed, displayed in the Research & Development Gallery. The Fisher Body Division of General Motors developed the P-75 Eagle to fill an urgent need for an interceptor early in WWII. The original P-75 design incorporated the most powerful inline engine available and components from other aircraft as a way to expedite production. Only eight XP-75s and six P-75As were built, the type's mission being changed to long-range escort after shortcomings in performance were found - an order for 2,500 was cancelled in favour of P-47s and P-51s.

Photo by David Menard.

The P-75 Eagle was designed by the Fisher Body Division of General Motors for an Air Force request for a fast climbing fighter. Eight XP-75s and six P-75As (out of an order of 2.500) were delivered and later used for development of the Allison V-3420 engine. This aircraft was the last Eagle built (sister ship 44-44554 nearing completion was never finished) and was set aside in 1946 for a proposed USAAF aviation museum. Pictured in the Museum's Experimental Aircraft Gallery, it has since been moved to the new fourth building for display in the Research and Development Gallery.