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Description

The Istarian Republic's Maul is a powerfully armed strike aircraft. When the Tarkavian Collective invaded Verengea, Mauls were instrumental in bringing its advance to a halt. Once the northern front was stabilised, the Republic launched attacks on the depleted forces that remained in Parangea, opening a second front that emboldened local partisans and strained enemy logistics. While Strela fighters covered them, Mauls made short work of the light armour the Collective employed in the region and drew valuable Aggressor squadrons away from Verengean airfields. The Maul's pilots credit much of their success to its firepower and resilience, while ground crews praise its ease of maintenance.

Design Features

- The Maul's airframe is heavy but compact and strong. Although it is slower and less agile than modern fighters, it can operate from rougher airstrips, take more combat damage and be maintained with simpler tools – important concerns for strike aircraft based on an unpredictable front.

- Two engines offer redundancy and distance crews from smoke and flames if damaged. The 18-cylinder radials create more drag than inline units but need no liquid cooling systems and can take harder punishment. Their bulky nacelles help shield the crew, leave ample space for landing gear and absorb much of the initial impact if a gear-up landing is required.

- The wings' main spars are connected to an armoured pod that shields the main armament and crew. Small self-sealing fuel tanks give the Maul a short range and endurance but increase survivability.

- The retractable main landing gear has sturdy shock-absorbent struts and large low-pressure tyres, allowing Mauls to operate from rough or damaged airfields. The tail wheel does not retract but is reinforced with a skid that helps protect the lower fuselage.

- The pilot and observer sit back to back under a narrow greenhouse canopy. Armoured glass protects them from bullets and shrapnel and strong arched struts create a roll cage. As Mauls work in close coordination with ground forces no large radio masts are required; a cable linked to the sliding portion of the pilot's canopy is enough.

- The short nose gives the pilot excellent ground visibility. Standard armament consists of four 20mm autocannons, though some Mauls carry larger guns. Smaller, lighter weapons can be fitted to underwing hardpoints outside the propeller arcs. This example carries two 30mm rocket pods; alternatives include machine guns and bombs.

- Observers provide early warnings of threats coming from above and behind and can return fire with a 12.7mm machine gun. Outside combat they serve as navigators/radio operators while pilots concentrate on flying.

- Mauls based in western Ostrogea usually have tan and olive camouflage that is well suited to the semi-desert found on both sides of the border. Blue and white triangles help identify them as Istarian aircraft, tails are marked with recognition numbers, and kills are recorded with lightning bolts like those seen on Collective machines.

Description

The Istarian Republic's Maul is a powerfully armed strike aircraft. When the Tarkavian Collective invaded Verengea, Mauls were instrumental in bringing its advance to a halt. Once the northern front was stabilised, the Republic launched attacks on the depleted forces that remained in Parangea, opening a second front that emboldened local partisans and strained enemy logistics. While Strela fighters covered them, Mauls made short work of the light armour the Collective employed in the region and drew valuable Aggressor squadrons away from Verengean airfields. The Maul's pilots credit much of their success to its firepower and resilience, while ground crews praise its ease of maintenance.

Design Features

- The Maul's airframe is heavy but compact and strong. Although it is slower and less agile than modern fighters, it can operate from rougher airstrips, take more combat damage and be maintained with simpler tools – important concerns for strike aircraft based on an unpredictable front.

- Two engines offer redundancy and distance crews from smoke and flames if damaged. The 18-cylinder radials create more drag than inline units but need no liquid cooling systems and can take harder punishment. Their bulky nacelles help shield the crew, leave ample space for landing gear and absorb much of the initial impact if a gear-up landing is required.

- The wings' main spars are connected to an armoured pod that shields the main armament and crew. Small self-sealing fuel tanks give the Maul a short range and endurance but increase survivability.

- The retractable main landing gear has sturdy shock-absorbent struts and large low-pressure tyres, allowing Mauls to operate from rough or damaged airfields. The tail wheel does not retract but is reinforced with a skid that helps protect the lower fuselage.

- The pilot and observer sit back to back under a narrow greenhouse canopy. Armoured glass protects them from bullets and shrapnel and strong arched struts create a roll cage. As Mauls work in close coordination with ground forces no large radio masts are required; a cable linked to the sliding portion of the pilot's canopy is enough.

- The short nose gives the pilot excellent ground visibility. Standard armament consists of four 20mm autocannons, though some Mauls carry larger guns. Smaller, lighter weapons can be fitted to underwing hardpoints outside the propeller arcs. This example carries two 30mm rocket pods; alternatives include machine guns and bombs.

- Observers provide early warnings of threats coming from above and behind and can return fire with a 12.7mm machine gun. Outside combat they serve as navigators/radio operators while pilots concentrate on flying.

- Mauls based in western Ostrogea usually have tan and olive camouflage that is well suited to the semi-desert found on both sides of the border. Blue and white triangles help identify them as Istarian aircraft, tails are marked with recognition numbers, and kills are recorded with lightning bolts like those seen on Collective machines.