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12/22/2006. Remarks by Bernhard Klein: "Convair began detailed design work on the Model 102 on January 5, 1944. The USAAF ordered two prototypes of the design from Convair on February 11, 1944. The designation XP-81 was applied, and the serials were 44-91000 and 44-91001. The contract was subsequently modified to include thirteen service-test YP-81s. The YP-81 was to have been powered by the lighter and more powerful TG-110 turboprop, the wing moved aft ten inches, and an armament of six 0.5-inch machine guns or six 20-mm cannon fitted. The TG-100 turboprop engine encountered an extensive series of teething troubles and was not yet available when the first XP-81 (44-91000) was ready for its first flight. A Packard Merlin V-1560-7 power package from a P-51D Mustang was supplied in its place. A P-38J-style beard radiator inlet was mounted below the propeller spinner. The Merlin-powered XP-81 was trucked to Muroc Dry Lake, where it was flown for the first time on February 11, 1945. The handling proved to be exceptionally good. However, the directional stability was marginal and a 15-inch fin extension and a short ventral fin were added. The second XP-81, 44-91001, was fitted at the factory with a rounded fin extension and a long ventral fin." |
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