- Yes, as a tech tree vehicle
- Yes, as a premium vehicle
- Yes, as an event vehicle
- Yes, as a squadron vehicle
- No, I would not like to see the Brigand TF.1 in game.
TL;DR, the early torpedo bomber variant of the Brigand was denied a chance to see meaningful service due to delays. However, it would have a couple advantages over the Brigand B.1 in game:
- .50 caliber Browning dorsal turret
- Capability to mount the powerful Mk.XVII torpedo
- Minimal loss of stores compared to the B.1 (8 RP-3s instead of 16)
- Coastal Command camo looks cool
Therefore, I think it would go pretty good in a folder with the current Brigand instead of the Whirlwind.
History
Before the Brigand became the postwar light bomber used in Malaya, it was devised as an upgrade to the then-in-service Beaufighter. When the Air Ministry asked for the Buckingham, they also decided that a Beaufighter-type version would be good, too. The Buckingham is a good story for another day, but the important part is that it was supposed to be based heavily on Beaufort parts and therefore was expected to be ready in 1942. In fact, it had a long and protracted design process, not helped by changing requirements which included a switch to Centaurus engines, and the Brigand followed suit. The first prototype Brigand would not fly until the end of 1944.
Brigand TF.1 with RP-3s under the wings and a Mk.XVII torpedo on the centerline mount.
The Buckingham and Brigand both had issues in flight and were generally not amazing, with the Buckingham’s role being supplanted by existing fast bombers and American medium bombers, which led to it being generally used as a courier aircraft. In addition, by the time the Brigand reached production in 1946, the original purpose it was built for was rendered moot. World War II had ended, leaving Britain extremely broke and with nothing to shoot at. Like most aircraft the RAF didn’t want, the Brigand was foisted onto Coastal Command, but even they couldn’t come up with a use for it. Fortunately for the Brigand, there was a use for it in replacing Beaufighters in Britain’s colonial air bases, at which time it would be converted to the familiar light bomber found in game.
Specifications
Bristol Brigand TF.1
Dimensions:
- Span: 72 ft 4 in (22.05 m)
- Length: 46 ft 5 in (14.15 m)
- Height: 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
Empty weight: ~25,700 lb (~11,660 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 39,000 lb (17,690 kg)
Propulsion: 2 x Bristol Centaurus 57 (2,740 hp each; 5,480 hp total)
Maximum speed: 358 mph (576 km/h)
Service ceiling: 26,000 ft (7,900 m)
Crew: 3 (pilot, navigator/bombardier, radio operator/gunner)
Armament:
- Guns:
- 4 x Hispano Mk.V 20mm autocannon in the nose (200 rounds/gun; 800 total)
- 1 x M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the dorsal turret (unknown ammo count)
- Bombs:
- Up to 2 x 1,000 lb G.P. bomb (2 x centerline)
- Up to 4 x 500 lb G.P. bomb (2 x centerline, 1 x on each wing)
- Rockets:
- Up to 8 x RP-3 rocket (4 x on each wing)
- Torpedoes:
- 1 x Mk.XVII 18 inch torpedo (centerline)
Additional equipment:
- Dive brakes
- ASV radar
Gallery
Cutaway
The Mk.XVII was essentially identical to the Mk.XV, just with a slightly larger warhead.
Sources: