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Description

The Tarkavian shift from ground assaults to sustained strategic bombing raised new challenges for Istarian pilots. Although their Strela fighters could take down enemy Aggressors, they lacked the firepower and resilience to pose a serious threat to massed bomber formations. While the Khandarians replied with swarms of cheaply manufactured Wraiths, the less desperate Istarians – whose main industrial centres remained outside the bombers' range – commenced production of the Glaive, a high-performance interceptor developed in great secrecy.

The first Glaives reached Verengea as the first Spectres entered service, and comparisons were naturally made between these two very different aircraft designed to serve almost identical roles. While Spectres had a longer range and higher speed in level flight, Glaives could use shorter, rougher runways, climbed faster and handled better. Both aircraft met requirements though, and as bomber losses mounted, the Tarkavians were forced to switch from daylight raids to night attacks that seem every bit as damaging but have less effect on arms production.

Design Features

- As a heavy interceptor the Glaive was designed to climb fast and hit hard. It has a light and streamlined airframe; its twin engines make it less agile than smaller single engine fighters but allow fast acceleration and climbing; and the long forward fuselage leaves ample space for armament.

- Two supercharged V12 engines drive four-bladed variable pitch propellers. Though many other canards use pushers – which provide efficient high-speed cruising – the Glaive's tractor props allow faster takeoffs and more responsive handling.

- Long low camber outer wings improve high altitude performance while the thicker inner wing sections reinforce the airframe and offer more internal space. The Glaive's fuel tanks and radiators are placed between the fuselage and engine nacelles which help shield them from enemy fire.

- Forward canards provide pitch control and act as fenders for the props on the ground. Twin tails placed behind the props make the rudders more responsive, though their control lines are complex and vulnerable to engine fires.

- A retractable tricycle undercarriage allows easy ground handling, refuelling and rearmament. The main wheels are housed behind the engines and a steerable nose wheel is housed in the forward fuselage.

- A spacious cockpit and recliner seat improve pilot comfort and resistance to G-forces. Reflex sights aid targeting and a simple analogue computer helps pilots optimise fuel mixture, ignition timing, compressor speed and propeller pitch with one lever instead of separate controls. Pilots used to single engine aircraft find Glaives easier to handle than other high performance twins, and those familiar with twin engines find the reduced workload a welcome asset during combat. Ejector seats are fitted as standard, and even if these systems fail, the lack of empennage behind the cockpit makes bailing out less dangerous.

- The long nose provides ample space for cannons with extended barrels. Their increased range and accuracy allows Glaives to attack bomber formations while avoiding massed defensive fire. Two 30mm autocannons use the Gast gun principle to unleash a hail of devastation. These weapons' only major drawbacks are high barrel wear and shell consumption. To ease logistic challenges, bombers not destroyed immediately are often left to smaller interceptors that can take them down more easily once they fall out of formation.

- This Glaive's grey ripple camouflage helps hide the aircraft on the ground and is also reasonably effective when flying at high altitudes. The anti-glare strip in front of the cockpit and Istarian national colours are standard; unit stripes and tail numbers help identify the aircraft and black lightning bolts record kills.

Description

The Tarkavian shift from ground assaults to sustained strategic bombing raised new challenges for Istarian pilots. Although their Strela fighters could take down enemy Aggressors, they lacked the firepower and resilience to pose a serious threat to massed bomber formations. While the Khandarians replied with swarms of cheaply manufactured Wraiths, the less desperate Istarians – whose main industrial centres remained outside the bombers' range – commenced production of the Glaive, a high-performance interceptor developed in great secrecy.

The first Glaives reached Verengea as the first Spectres entered service, and comparisons were naturally made between these two very different aircraft designed to serve almost identical roles. While Spectres had a longer range and higher speed in level flight, Glaives could use shorter, rougher runways, climbed faster and handled better. Both aircraft met requirements though, and as bomber losses mounted, the Tarkavians were forced to switch from daylight raids to night attacks that seem every bit as damaging but have less effect on arms production.

Design Features

- As a heavy interceptor the Glaive was designed to climb fast and hit hard. It has a light and streamlined airframe; its twin engines make it less agile than smaller single engine fighters but allow fast acceleration and climbing; and the long forward fuselage leaves ample space for armament.

- Two supercharged V12 engines drive four-bladed variable pitch propellers. Though many other canards use pushers – which provide efficient high-speed cruising – the Glaive's tractor props allow faster takeoffs and more responsive handling.

- Long low camber outer wings improve high altitude performance while the thicker inner wing sections reinforce the airframe and offer more internal space. The Glaive's fuel tanks and radiators are placed between the fuselage and engine nacelles which help shield them from enemy fire.

- Forward canards provide pitch control and act as fenders for the props on the ground. Twin tails placed behind the props make the rudders more responsive, though their control lines are complex and vulnerable to engine fires.

- A retractable tricycle undercarriage allows easy ground handling, refuelling and rearmament. The main wheels are housed behind the engines and a steerable nose wheel is housed in the forward fuselage.

- A spacious cockpit and recliner seat improve pilot comfort and resistance to G-forces. Reflex sights aid targeting and a simple analogue computer helps pilots optimise fuel mixture, ignition timing, compressor speed and propeller pitch with one lever instead of separate controls. Pilots used to single engine aircraft find Glaives easier to handle than other high performance twins, and those familiar with twin engines find the reduced workload a welcome asset during combat. Ejector seats are fitted as standard, and even if these systems fail, the lack of empennage behind the cockpit makes bailing out less dangerous.

- The long nose provides ample space for cannons with extended barrels. Their increased range and accuracy allows Glaives to attack bomber formations while avoiding massed defensive fire. Two 30mm autocannons use the Gast gun principle to unleash a hail of devastation. These weapons' only major drawbacks are high barrel wear and shell consumption. To ease logistic challenges, bombers not destroyed immediately are often left to smaller interceptors that can take them down more easily once they fall out of formation.

- This Glaive's grey ripple camouflage helps hide the aircraft on the ground and is also reasonably effective when flying at high altitudes. The anti-glare strip in front of the cockpit and Istarian national colours are standard; unit stripes and tail numbers help identify the aircraft and black lightning bolts record kills.