[djjeffhall]

Wow,
That picture of the XP-55 Ascender was great. (At least that what I think it was? I can't remember....) Thanks!

[mustangdriver]

You are correct it is an XP-55. Fresh out of the restoration shop.

[STARMAN 352ND]

That XP-55 is a crazy looking little plane too.
JP

[mustangdriver]

That is the sole remaining XP-55. It is on long term loan from the Air and Space Museum.

[STARMAN 352ND]

I don't even know the how many XP-55 were ever made.
Do you?
JP

[djjeffhall]

Starman,
Hey there.

If the dust has been properly dusted off the old memory banks, there were 3XP-55's made.

The allison engine installed was underpowered so she never reached the speeds or performance projected.

On top of that it wasn't the most stable gun platform, despite some modifications that were enacted. After the success of the P-51 it was decided to cancel the project. (That doesn't even take into account the fact that they didn't have a proper ejector seat and the plan of blowing off the propeller before bailout wasn't real popular.)

One plane was lost during testing, a second (The third one built?) was lost during an airshow right after the war. The pilot tried a low level barrel roll and bounced her off the tarmac. The plane was written off and the remaining plane was placed into stoarge.

Any or all of that could be worng as it's been years since I lost my book with the complete list of airforce fighters.