Patriotic Roots in Hagerstown

At First Breach, we take pride in that our products are manufactured solely in the United States of America. Our manufacturing facility is housed in what was once a fabrication plant for the Fairchild Engine & Aircraft Corporation in Hagerstown, MD. The history of the building and roots in American manufacturing perfectly aligns with our values and mission at First Breach and further instills and inspires our sense of patriotism every day.

The Building's History

Construction of the Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Corporation facility at the Hagerstown Airport began in early 1941 with the fabrication of Plant 2. With the entry of the United States into World War II in December of that same year, demand for Fairchild aircraft increased exponentially. In 1943 several additional assembly bays were constructed, and an all wooden, curved-roof hangar used for flight testing of all aircraft before delivery. The most significant addition to the facility began in late 1944 and continued through early 1945. Construction of a large final assembly bay, sub-assembly areas, and additional flight test hangar space was finished in early 1945. Although, construction of the Fairchild facility at the Hagerstown Airport ended in the early 1960s with the addition of a small final assembly building for the Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 helicopter, the facility would see the production of arguably its best-known and long-lasting product, the Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. As affectionately known, the “Warthog” is still an active aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the infantryman’s friend and is, without exception, the most remarkable close-air support aircraft ever made! In preserving this history, the Hagerstown Aviation Museum is home to the world’s most extensive collection of Fairchild aircraft and memorabilia.