Orion OA WF-02 “Brick”

Orion OA WF-02 “Brick”

Bulky, rugged, and unexpectedly agile, the OA WF-02 “Brick” was Orion AeroWorks’ second major fighter design — a monoplane built in 1921 and introduced into service the following year. Despite its boxy frame (earning it the nickname “Brick”), this propeller-driven aircraft surprised many with its impressive maneuverability, long flight endurance, and powerful bite.
Weighing just 3 tons, the WF-02 was capable of staying airborne for up to 3 hours, giving it the range needed for deep enemy raids: one hour in, one hour on station, and one hour to return. Propelled by a powerful air-cooled engine, it reached speeds up to 190 m/s, with a large, sophisticated intake and filtration system to keep the engine cool and operational under harsh conditions.

What set the WF-02 apart wasn’t just its resilience or agility — it was its weaponry. The aircraft was armed with internal wing-mounted guns that fired slow but devastating rounds (300 m/s), capable of shredding early war biplanes like cannonballs through paper. In addition, a centerline-mounted unguided rocket under the fuselage gave it a one-shot ground attack capability — a radical innovation for its time.

Despite its strengths, the Brick wasn’t without flaws. Its open cockpit and lightly armored structure made it vulnerable in prolonged fights. Worse, like many aircraft of its generation, it was prone to wingtip stalls during aggressive pitch-ups, a hazard that claimed many inexperienced pilots. Still, its massive flap system — with three segmented flaps per wing — allowed it to fly astonishingly slow, making it ideal for tight landings and low-speed dogfighting.

With 422 units produced, the WF-02 saw extensive service in the early years of WWII, especially in frontline reconnaissance and strike roles. However, as the war progressed and aircraft tech evolved rapidly, the Brick was soon deemed outdated and gradually phased out. The majority were lost in combat, falling to flak, anti-air fire, or in rare dogfights with faster planes — usually when flown by green pilots unaware of its quirks and strengths.

Only two Bricks survive today, both preserved in museums, albeit no longer flight-worthy. Still, they stand as a reminder of an era where brute force and clever engineering gave birth to legends.

Manufacturer: Orion AeroWorks
Role: Early Multirole Monoplane Fighter
First Flight: 1922
Top Speed: 190 m/s
Armament: 2x Wing-Mounted Guns, 1x Under-fuselage Rocket
Variants: None
Nickname: “Brick” – due to its bulky design and rugged frame
“It flew like a brick. It fought like a sledgehammer.”