eye the above image. The initial concept was simply for a gun cannon version of the Bloodlust; the basic layout of the Bloodlust
was retained, with the total conversion core at the rear rather than forward. The AMP cannon was housed in a prominent
housing below the main fuselage. The requirement did not include any SST capability, which allowed a significant reduction in the
size of the sensor package. A new smaller rift generator and shortened ZPEX/PCU also freed up space, leading to a reduction
in fuselage size and so making the Deathdealer even smaller and more agile than the Bloodlust. Indeed the fuselage was so
small that the pilot would have to lie almost completely flat.
In the event, it proved impossible to miniaturise the new rift generator sufficiently to fit the new fuselage. TPI had to redesign
the cockpit module for a slightly more upright position to free up space in the nose. Rather than begin design work again almost
from scratch, they put a prominent bulge on the fuselage to create more internal volume.
The original intention was to come up with an entirely new engine pod design, but TPI wanted to complete the design process
as quickly as possible The Bloodlust engines were tried with the new fuselage, but although pilots described the experience
of flying this lash-up as "exhilirating", the TX-120 proved to be too powerful for the smaller fuselage - the craft was
almost impossible for a novice to fly, and even experienced pilots could lose control. TPI compromised by shortening the
midspace shunt, which reduced the problem significantly. Even so, the Deathdealer is still regarded as a difficult craft to fly.
In service the Deathdealers proved successful, especially in the hands of experienced gunfighters. The PV-39 sensor package
was based on the PV-38 Batch 2 of the Bloodlust, which was not without its problems, but although servicability and reliability was
still an issue, the low performance was much less of a problem on a gun fighter than it was on a torp fighter.
The low capability/operating cost made the Deathdealers an attractive option for the cost-cutting which followed the Tain war,
and they remained in service in numbers.
Basic design :
Interior systems :
The cockpit module blasts free :
