On December 30, 1937, two unknown planes flew in from the west, and proceeded to bomb railroads and airfields near Albuquerque, disrupting commerce for weeks. Before any response could be launched, the mystery craft had flown off over the Sandia Range to the east, and disappeared. This sort of thing happened occasionally, but what was strange this time was that these planes were sporting Pacifica colors.
     Arixo and Pacifica have long been trading partners, so this unprovoked attack baffled the Arixan legislature. When Pacifica was contacted, they were just as surprised, especially since the planes were identified as one of their own designs, the Boeing R/LB1 Heron. As a sign of good will, the complete specs for the Heron, as well as Boeing's NB2 Orca, were handed over to the Arixo government. There is still no definite explanation for the attack, though Pacificans suggested that it may have been a ploy by Hollywood, attempting to disrupt Pacifican/ Arixan relations. So far, they have failed. 

     The R/LB1 Heron is an even greater departure for Boeing than their AZ2 Groundhog. Massing only a total of 10,750 lbs, the Heron is smaller than any other aircraft the company has so far produced. It was designed both for reconnaissance and light bombing runs. While only having a top speed of 250 mph, the Heron boasts a nitro-injector system routed between the two Wright Vortex engines, allowing for brief bursts of extra speed. Also, it has a range of almost 750 miles, often extended even further with the addition of fuel tanks. Unfortunately, to make room for the larger tanks, the landing gear was moved to the ends of the curved wings, requiring a Heron pilot to have an especially gentle touch when landing. Those distinctive wings make this a graceful plane, but they cannot take high-G turns.
     The Heron mounts a variety of weapons, spread out along the wings for strafing runs. Two Sperry-Browning "Hurricane" .50-caliber cannons  and two Sperry-Browning "Gatekeeper" .40-caliber machine guns are placed in the nose, with two more "Gatekeepers" on the wings, as well as a pair of Sperry-Browning "Zephyr" .30-caliber guns for good measure. With a dive-bombing periscope and seven hardpoints, the Heron can excel at its other role of light bomber. And despite a poor turning radius, its 1,230 lbs of armor can keep it in a dog-fight for some time.
     Aside from the two that bombed Albuquerque, all Herons are believed to still be in Pacifica's possession, mostly seen harassing northern Hollywood. 

Class:  Heavy-Fighter (Tractor) 
Manufacturer: Boeing Aircraft Company,  Seattle, Washington, Pacifica 
Engine:  2 Wright Vortexes  (790 hp each) 
Wing Span:  49 ft., 2 in.    Length:  45 ft.     Height: 16 ft., 6 in.
Loaded Weight:  10,750 lbs   Service Ceiling:  14,500 ft  Range:  750 miles Max. Speed:  250 mph   Max. Accel:  98.4 fps/s  Max. Decel:  65.6 fps/s Weapons: (2) Sperry-Browning "Zephyr" 30-caliber machine guns, (4) Sperry-Browning "Gatekeeper" 40-caliber machine guns, (2) Sperry-Browning "Hurricane" 50-caliber cannons