P-75 Eagle
In 1942 the USAAF asked for designs for a high performance fighter with an unprecedented rate of climb, to intercept Japanese bombers in the Pacific theater. The Fisher Body Division of General Motors submitted a design for an aircraft that would use the most powerful inline engine then available, as well as "off-the-shelf" major assemblies (which would shorten development times). The P-75 airframe used the outer wing panels of the Curtiss P-40, the tail unit of the Douglas A-24/Dauntless, and landing gear of the Vought F4U Corsair. The engine was located in the fuselage behind the pilot, similar to the layout of the Bell P-39. Eight prototypes were ordered by the USAAF, but problems were found during testing. By the time the problems were fixed, other capable fighters (like the P-51 Mustang) were available, and the production contract was cancelled.
For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.
USAF archives on this aircraft, click here.
(updated September 2006)
Fisher (General Motors) P-75 Eagle
Type: single-seat fighter
Crew: 1
Armament: six .50 inch machine guns in the wings
four .50 inch machine guns in the fuselage
optional 2 600 lb. bombs
Specifications:
Length: 40' 5" (12.32 m)
Height: 15' 6" (4.72 m)
Wingspan: 49' 4" (15.04 m)
Wing area: 347 sq. ft (32.24 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 11,495 lb (5214 kg)
Max Weight: 18,210 lb (8260 kg) max at takeoff
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: Allison V-3420-23 inline
Horsepower: 2885 hp
Performance:
Range: 2000 miles (3219 km)
Cruise Speed: 310 mph ( 499 km/h)
Max Speed: 420 mph ( 676 km/h) at 20,000 ft
Ceiling: 36,000 ft (10,970 m)
V-173
One of the most unusual aircraft ever designed for the U.S. Navy was the Chance Vought V-173, also known as the Zimmerman "Flying Pancake". It was a prototype "proof of concept" aircraft that lacked wings, instead relying on its flat circular body to provide the lifting surface. This multi-million dollar project nearly became the first V/STOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fighter. The V-173 blueprints were shown to the Navy in 1939, with wind tunnel tests on full scale models being done in 1940-41. In January 1942 BuAer requested the proposal for two prototype airplanes of an experimental version of the V-173, known as the VS-135. This version had more powerful engines and was given the military designation XF5U-1. Flight testing of the V-173 went on through 1942 and 1943, resulting in reports of "flying saucers" from surprised Connecticut locals. Mock-ups of the XF5U-1 were done in the summer of 1943, but due to Vought's preoccupation with the Corsair and Kingfisher, the program proceeded slowly during the war. The arrival of the jet age saw the cancellation of the XF5U-1 contract by the Navy in March 1947, despite the fact that the aircraft was due to take its first test flight later that year. The XF5U-1 prototype was scrapped, though the V-173 prototype was saved and was given to the Smithsonian. To this day the V-173 / XF5U-1 project remains one of the more interesting anecdotes in aviation history.
For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.
Vought V-173
Type: experimental prototype (Fighter)
Crew: 1, Pilot
Armament: none
Specifications:
Length: 26' 8"
Height: 12' 11"
Width: 23' 4"
Gross Weight: 2,258 lbs
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 2
Powerplant: Continental A-80
Horsepower 80 hp each
Prop diameter: 16' 6"
Performance:
Range: limited (20 gal. of fuel)
Max Speed: 138 mph sea level
Climb: to 5000 ft in 7 min
Vought XF5U-1
Type: Fighter
Crew: 1, Pilot
Armament: six .50 cal machine guns
or four 20mm cannon
or two 1000-lb. bombs
Specifications:
Length: 28' 7.5"
Height: 14' 9"
Width: 32' 6"
Empty Weight: n/a
Gross Weight: 14550 lbs
Max Weight: n/a
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 2
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7
Horsepower 1600 hp each
Prop diameter: 16'
Performance:
Range: 910 miles
Max Speed: 504 mph at 20,000 ft.
Climb: 3000 ft/min at sea level
Ceiling: n/a
XP-81
The XP-81 was developed by Consolidated-Vultee for a 1944 USAAF specification for a long-range bomber escort. The aircraft had a conventional layout, but was unconventional in that it had a turbojet engine in the rear fuselage in addition to a turboprop in the nose. Work on the type continued through 1945, but the turboprop used only performed to 60% of expectations, and with the end of the war all production plans were cancelled.
For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.
USAF archives on this aircraft (Convair XF-81), click here.
(updated September 2006)
Consolidated-Vultee XP-81
Type: long range escort fighter
Crew: 1
Armament: six .50 cal machine guns
or six 20mm cannon
Specifications:
Length: 44' 10" (13.67 m)
Height: 14' 0" (4.27 m)
Wingspan: 50' 6" (15.39 m)
Wing area: 425 sq. ft (39.48 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 12,755 lb (5786 kg)
Max Weight: 24,650 lb (11,181 kg) max at takeoff
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 2
Powerplant #1: General Electric XT31-GE-1 turboprop
Powerplant #2: Allison J-33-GE-5 turbojet
Horsepower #1: 2300 hp
Horsepower #2: 3750 lb. thrust
Performance (estimated):
Range: 2500 miles (4023 km)
Cruise Speed: 275 mph ( 443 km/h)
Max Speed: 478 mph ( 769 km/h) at sea level
Ceiling: 35,500 ft (10,820 m)
All three planes were used in WWII. 1939-1945, all these planes were in WWII. For proof of this go to,
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/american.htm.
