Republic NP-49

Although Republic Aviation mostly designed Air Force types, three designs are known to have been submitted to the U.S. Navy and were designated as NP-48 to -50. Very little is known about them but respected aviation historian Tony Buttler believes the first two may have been submitted to the OS-113 tender, which was eventually won by the McDonnell Demon.

While the NP-48 still resembled the Air Force XP-91 Thunderceptor (apart from having flush NACA intakes), the NP-49, while retaining its V-tail and inverse-wing arrangement, was rather different. Two versions were designed, both with the engines mounted on underwing pylons, the main differences being the inlets and especially the design of the nose, which was glazed to the tip on the second version as opposed to a strange pointed nose on the first.

The photos of the original desktop model provided to Buttler by the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island (below right) were a front and profile view which seemed a good start for a three-view of that second version, which is why I picked that one. Unfortunately there was no photo in profile but the other version provided an alternative.

However, in the end, I found the side view was not conclusive enough to enable me to complete the general arrangement, and I prefered to leave it as a two-view thing. The panelling on my drawing was adapted from that of the Thunderceptor.

Without the specifications and precise data it's always a longshot to adapt a photo to plan form. I expect some of my measures may be inaccurate, but until something better emerges, it will do...