Fisher P-75A Eagle

GM's Attempt at Aircraft Design: the Fisher P-75 Eagle

Honda's not the only automaker that can design aircraft. Here's a link to a picture and brief information on General Motor's design for a fighter aircraft in World War II, the Fisher P-75 Eagle. This plane has been called one of the 10 Worst Aircraft in Aviation History. It was designed using the parts of several existing aircraft, and it even looks like something Frankenstein would fly.

Some have said that GM made the aircraft bad on purpose. It didn't want to have key plants tied down to military production to the point that they'd miss the expected post-war auto boom.

As it turned out, General Motors actually turned out some pretty decent aircraft in World War II and in large quantities. GM built under license the Grumman TBF Avenger and F4F Wildcat types for the navy. Built in GM's Eastern Aircraft facility (recently closed) they were designated the TBM and the FM respectively.

Fisher P-75A Eagle