Fairchild F611 Brigand

• Model: Fairchild F611 Brigand
• Class: Heavy Fighter
• Manufacturer: Fairchild Aircraft Manufacturing (Hagerstown, Maryland, Columbia)
• Engine: Pratt & Whitney R600 (991 hp)
• Wing Span: 41 ft, 1 in
• Length: 30 ft, 9 in
• Height: 12 ft, 11 in
• Loaded Weight: 8,250 Lbs
• Service Ceiling: 18,000 ft
• Range: 350 Miles
• Max Speed: 250 mph
• Max Accel: 65.6 fps
• Weapons: Two (2) Westmore 'Dragon' .30 Cal Machine guns, Four (4) Anderson Mk 103 .50 Cal Cannons

The Fairchild Brigand first saw service in 1935, initially flown by the Arlington Angels (Columbia). Almost immediately, the Brigand earned a reputation as a reliable and effective combat plane, and has become enormously popular.

The F6II is fast—powered by a 16-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R600 engine though this speed comes at the expense of fuel economy. (While the Brigand’s innovative fuel-injection system is likely the culprit here, it does provide one advantage: gravity has no effect on fuel flow, a problem with some older craft.)

The Brigand is surprisingly small, which, when coupled with the powerful 991 horsepower engine, makes it quite agile for a heavy fighter. As a result, the Brigand has become a popular anti-zeppelin aircraft particularly among pirates.

Despite the powerful engine and high speed, the Brigand is not without drawbacks. The heavy engine not only has created some interesting hiccups in the craft’s handling, the plane also has a rather wide turning circle. Surprisingly, the Brigand’s acceleration is mediocre as well; making it easy prey for fighters that are better in a sprint.

These flaws are offset by the Brigand’s armament: a pair of .50-caliber cannons on each wing, and a rear mounted duo of .30-caliber cannons. When loaded with a combination of explosive, armor-piercing or incendiary shells and a full load of rockets, the Brigand can deliver a withering hail of fire.

Though Fairchild’s plants are all located in Columbia, the company has achieved enviable sales across North America. Built with export in mind, the Brigand serves in many North American nations. Militias in the Confederation of Dixie have been the largest buyers, closely followed by Appalachian and Empire State groups. The only national government to have acquired the Brigand is Utah, where a single squadron serves along the Navajo border. However, the company’s policy of neutrality means that many pirate bands also use the aircraft, notably Jonathan "Genghis" Kahn and the Red Skull Legion.

~ Firedrake.Org