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Description

After the Usurper’s War, the weakened Hassadian Empire found itself surrounded by three younger, more ambitious powers: the Istarian Republic to the southeast, the Zymorian Freehold to the southwest, and the Tarkavian Collective to the north. Faced with the unwelcome prospect of fighting its next war on multiple fronts the Empire focused on defence. Extensive border fortifications would hopefully deter invaders, and in a worse scenario, delay attackers long enough for reinforcements to arrive and launch effective counterstrikes. This raised logistic challenges. The Empire’s roads were badly maintained, especially on its fronteirs; railways were vulnerable to air strikes and sabotage; and the Istarian Republic’s recapture of Ishadah’s Canal split the Empire’s naval forces. Air transport offered one solution but raised problems of its own. Large aircraft would be more efficient but required more resources.

The Endurance was a brave attempt to provide the Empire with an inexpensive heavy transport. Airframes were primarily made from non-strategic materials using simple construction techniques. Though some of its competitors far surpassed it in performance, the Endurance cost less to build and could carry more than most.

These aircraft faced more harrowing tests when the Tarkavian Collective attacked the Empire’s northern border. Every transport plane available was used to bring in reinforcements and as the Empire’s losses mounted they extracted casualties. Though fighters like the Valor escorted them where possible, many were lost in air battles or destroyed while on the ground. Endurances were large, slow targets, but gained a reputation for being tougher than most other transports and frantic field modifications had them bristling with guns. As the situation worsened, the dwindling Endurance fleets moved soldiers and equipment across the sea to Solonessa. Badly damaged aircraft were quickly repaired and pressed back into action and when these operations ended most remaining transports contained parts from many different machines. As the Istarian Republic supports the Empire’s last defenders, these aircraft now fly safer routes to bring supplies from Ostrogea.

Design Features

- The Endurance’s fabric-covered, steel-tube airframe costs less than an alloy one, can be built by less skilled workers using simpler equipment, and is more easily repaired. These traits helped the Hassadians create a large transport fleet without depleting resources needed for competitive fighters. During current operations they help loyalists on Solonessa maintain a much smaller fleet without support from mainland industry.

- High wings improve stability, keep props clear from ground debris and allow easy hull access. They contain large self-sealing fuel tanks that let aircraft based on any of the Empire's borders reach another in one flight. Large flaps reduce landing speeds and disposable rocket boosters help heavily laden transports take off.

- Four 18-cylinder radial engines are more reliable and resistant to damage than liquid-cooled equivalents. A fully loaded aircraft can keep flying if one fails; losing any more means trouble, though descent rates can be slowed by jettisoning cargo, guns, excess fuel and casualties.

- A multi-wheel undercarriage provides a smooth ride on bad runways and reduces ground pressure, allowing operation from grass fields or unsealed roads. Parked aircraft have a level stance, allowing easy loading and unloading via a rear ramp and/or forward clamshell doors. The rear ramp can also be opened in flight to drop cargo via parachute.

- The standard Endurance crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator and radio operator/flight engineer. A raised cabin with extensive glazing gives them panoramic views and increases internal space. Six cargo handlers in the hull assist with loading and unloading, make sure payloads are secure and operate defensive guns.

- Standard armament consists of four 12.7mm machine guns in fuselage mounts, two more in cabin mounts and two more in a tail turret, though many crews add extra weapons. During their first clashes with Tarkavian fighters these transports’ primitive construction brought unexpected benefits; their steel frames were very strong and cannon shells often punched through their fabric skins without detonating. Escorts offer more protection, though this varies with their quality: while Valors can take down Aggressors, most other Hassadian fighters can only buy Endurance crews more time.

- This aircraft’s tan and olive camouflage was first used in southern Parangea and remains effective in Solonessa. The axe and shield motifs and black identifying script are typical for Hassadian aircraft. Many other transports have been built from salvaged parts which gives them a patchwork appearance.

Description

After the Usurper’s War, the weakened Hassadian Empire found itself surrounded by three younger, more ambitious powers: the Istarian Republic to the southeast, the Zymorian Freehold to the southwest, and the Tarkavian Collective to the north. Faced with the unwelcome prospect of fighting its next war on multiple fronts the Empire focused on defence. Extensive border fortifications would hopefully deter invaders, and in a worse scenario, delay attackers long enough for reinforcements to arrive and launch effective counterstrikes. This raised logistic challenges. The Empire’s roads were badly maintained, especially on its fronteirs; railways were vulnerable to air strikes and sabotage; and the Istarian Republic’s recapture of Ishadah’s Canal split the Empire’s naval forces. Air transport offered one solution but raised problems of its own. Large aircraft would be more efficient but required more resources.

The Endurance was a brave attempt to provide the Empire with an inexpensive heavy transport. Airframes were primarily made from non-strategic materials using simple construction techniques. Though some of its competitors far surpassed it in performance, the Endurance cost less to build and could carry more than most.

These aircraft faced more harrowing tests when the Tarkavian Collective attacked the Empire’s northern border. Every transport plane available was used to bring in reinforcements and as the Empire’s losses mounted they extracted casualties. Though fighters like the Valor escorted them where possible, many were lost in air battles or destroyed while on the ground. Endurances were large, slow targets, but gained a reputation for being tougher than most other transports and frantic field modifications had them bristling with guns. As the situation worsened, the dwindling Endurance fleets moved soldiers and equipment across the sea to Solonessa. Badly damaged aircraft were quickly repaired and pressed back into action and when these operations ended most remaining transports contained parts from many different machines. As the Istarian Republic supports the Empire’s last defenders, these aircraft now fly safer routes to bring supplies from Ostrogea.

Design Features

- The Endurance’s fabric-covered, steel-tube airframe costs less than an alloy one, can be built by less skilled workers using simpler equipment, and is more easily repaired. These traits helped the Hassadians create a large transport fleet without depleting resources needed for competitive fighters. During current operations they help loyalists on Solonessa maintain a much smaller fleet without support from mainland industry.

- High wings improve stability, keep props clear from ground debris and allow easy hull access. They contain large self-sealing fuel tanks that let aircraft based on any of the Empire's borders reach another in one flight. Large flaps reduce landing speeds and disposable rocket boosters help heavily laden transports take off.

- Four 18-cylinder radial engines are more reliable and resistant to damage than liquid-cooled equivalents. A fully loaded aircraft can keep flying if one fails; losing any more means trouble, though descent rates can be slowed by jettisoning cargo, guns, excess fuel and casualties.

- A multi-wheel undercarriage provides a smooth ride on bad runways and reduces ground pressure, allowing operation from grass fields or unsealed roads. Parked aircraft have a level stance, allowing easy loading and unloading via a rear ramp and/or forward clamshell doors. The rear ramp can also be opened in flight to drop cargo via parachute.

- The standard Endurance crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator and radio operator/flight engineer. A raised cabin with extensive glazing gives them panoramic views and increases internal space. Six cargo handlers in the hull assist with loading and unloading, make sure payloads are secure and operate defensive guns.

- Standard armament consists of four 12.7mm machine guns in fuselage mounts, two more in cabin mounts and two more in a tail turret, though many crews add extra weapons. During their first clashes with Tarkavian fighters these transports’ primitive construction brought unexpected benefits; their steel frames were very strong and cannon shells often punched through their fabric skins without detonating. Escorts offer more protection, though this varies with their quality: while Valors can take down Aggressors, most other Hassadian fighters can only buy Endurance crews more time.

- This aircraft’s tan and olive camouflage was first used in southern Parangea and remains effective in Solonessa. The axe and shield motifs and black identifying script are typical for Hassadian aircraft. Many other transports have been built from salvaged parts which gives them a patchwork appearance.