Restricted Ship TIE/XM1 "TIE Bizarro" Starfighter

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TIE/XM1 "TIE BIZARRO" STARFIGHTER

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER
Sienar Fleet Systems.

CLASS
Heavy starfighter.

ROLE
Heavy attack starfighter.

COMPOSITION
Quadanium and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 7.24 meters.CREW
1 pilot.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
N/A.

CARGO CAPACITY
220 kilograms.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
3 standard days.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The TIE/XM1 has a top speed of 105 MGLT and has average maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 2x medium laser cannon.
• 1x light turbolaser.

EQUIPMENT

• 1x ejection seat.

DESCRIPTION​

The TIE/XM1, better known as the TIE Bizarro, is a variant of the TIE series of starfighters developed by Sienar Fleet Systems. Although it was never formally adopted by the Galactic Empire, the Bizarro was extensively tested and saw combat during the Galactic Civil War, becoming something of a legend among snubfighter jockeys of that era.

The TIE Bizarro represents a significant departure from the standard TIE formula; rather than a single cockpit pod flanked by a pair of solar collectors, the Bizarro is reversed, with a pair of cockpit pods flanking a central solar collector. Of the two pods, only one contains an actual cockpit; the other has been extensively modified, removing all pilot accommodations in order to fit a secondary reactor, as well as single light turbolaser cannon, a weapon more suited to a capital warship than a lightweight starfighter. It also has the twin medium chin lasers on the regular cockpit pod.

Notably, as both pods retain their engine assemblies, the TIE Bizarro is actually slightly faster than its more conventional counterparts at 105 MGLT. It is not nearly as maneuverable, however; having to compensate for its uneven mass, it has only average turning ability. As with the original TIE, the Bizarro has no shields or hyperdrive.

The TIE Bizarro, although it can fight other starfighters, was not strictly intended for such. Although the main function of the design was to test unconventional layouts using mostly standard TIE parts, as well as the feasibility of fitting heavy weapons, the TIE Bizarro proved much more capable than expected. It was proposed as an alternative to conventional starbombers, using its heavy cannon to damage hardened targets rather than expendable physical ordinance such as bombs, torpedoes or missiles. To this end, a number of test squadrons were equipped with the type, carrying out extensive trials including live combat against Rebel forces.

Although built in surprisingly large numbers for an experimental model, the Bizarro never progressed beyond early acceptance trials; in the end, many of its fledgling construction facilities were bombed in coordinated strikes by the Rebellion, destroying them and decapitating the project's management. No more were built, presumably. In the present day, Bizarros are extremely rare, but not unheard of, with handfuls of examples popping up in service to various groups across the Galaxy.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. The TIE/XM1 Bizarro is a starfighter, and is subject to extra licensing requirements and increased scrutiny by authorities.

INTENT​

To bring an oddball ship from Legends canon into our site's fanon.

RESTRICTIONS​

Due to the complex and experimental nature of its design, the TIE/XM1 is incompatible with any upgrades.