The Webster W-401(V) filled an interesting role in the navy of the Redsand Republic. Though officially adopted as a two seat strike fighter craft, the 401 would see service akin to that of a general purpose craft.

Though underappreciated compared to late war aircraft, the 401 would be the workhorse of the navy in the war’s early stages, being the first low wing all metal monoplane adopted by the Republic. The type fielded the then new and powerful at the time, Brumington-Wallace Warbird 880 hp engine. With solid range, moderate speed and maneuverability, an exceptional armament of two fuselage machine guns and two wing mounted cannon, as well as a tall & roomy fuselage as a means of comfort for the two man crew. Provisions for primitive radar equipment and trimetrogen camera systems were available late in the war for the secondary crew member, who had already been designated initially as an observer. When armed with HE munitions, the wing mounted cannons of the 401 proved to be quite effective in the ground attack role, this was noted at the Battle of Sakage Castle in 2225, when an unopposed squadron of 401s laid waste to supposedly heavy Arashi fortifications, nearly vanquishing the castle out of existence. The type earned itself the nickname of “Oxhooft” by those who flew it, due to its shape resembling the hogshead ale barrels common during the time.