The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1564 Flight Tests (Part 1)

In comparison, Franz only produced fourteen prototypes, which is not considered a big undertaking.

In fact, Franz's confidence stemmed not only from the Austrian Empire's sound economic situation, but also from the Austrian Empire's technological advantages in the production of special parts and steel.

At this time, the main cost of an aircraft was concentrated on these special parts and engines. Historically, early aircraft researchers relied on handcrafting parts, and a considerable number of them lacked the relevant technology, which led to frequent accidents.

Many early aircraft, regardless of whether their structure was reasonable or not, were simply not up to standard in the assembly process. They would fall apart after running on the ground for a long time, let alone take off.

Secondly, most airplanes at that time were made of wood, so often a good carpenter could be as effective as a group of engineers. The fact that the Austrian Empire's flight tests were fully covered by the state minimized the possibility of basic errors.

In fact, precisely because it was a unified national plan, the cost of manufacturing these prototypes was not high. Compared to prototypes that individual researchers could complete in barns over several months, the Austrian Empire only needed a few weeks, or even a few days.

Fourteen prototypes were quickly produced, and the test flight site was set on Kalen Hill outside Vienna.

In fact, the Austrian Empire's weapons development bureau and the Vienna Glider Club failed to reach a consensus on how to take off the aircraft.

There are wooden inclined tracks that use gravity to accelerate, as well as spring launchers and giant slingshot launchers, and the well-known drop hammer start method.

Of course, in the Austrian Empire of this era, powerful towed launchers were also indispensable, and the Austrian military even built a railway track on the mountaintop.

Furthermore, due to the rapid development of rocket technology in the Austrian Empire, many experts in weapons development bureaus directly linked launching aircraft with launching rockets.

For this purpose, they actually built a huge rocket launch pad. Franz's scalp tingled just from one glance, and he couldn't help but ask.

"Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

The researcher standing nearby explained nonchalantly.

"Your Majesty, scientific progress always involves some risks."

The pilot in the distance even saluted Franz.

Franz nodded.

Vincent Augustine shouted.

"Everyone, to your positions!"

10
9
8
3!

2!

1!

emission! "

As a result, after the fuse was lit, it immediately shot out a burst of flame, and with a loud bang, the plane did indeed "fly" out, but it completely lost its shape.

The Austrian Imperial military did not give up. They conducted several more experiments, sometimes successful and sometimes not, and could never guarantee safety.

In fact, this result is mainly a problem of materials science; otherwise, the Austrian Empire might have avoided taking decades of detours.

Although gunpowder propulsion was the future trend, other methods could also start the aircraft at this time. Franz wouldn't fixate on one method; he didn't mind using other methods as a transition first, and as for gunpowder propulsion, he could study it slowly.

However, the Austrian Imperial military had no intention of giving up. They quickly devised a new method: using compressed air for catapult launch.

In fact, due to the existence of air rifle units and the needs of industry, the Austrian Empire's compressed air technology was also very advanced, which came in handy at this time.

The day of the prototype's test flight finally arrived, and Olga, who had just returned from London, also came to witness the ceremony.

Franz and Olga's appearance together was both an honor and a pressure for everyone present, as no one wanted to embarrass themselves in front of the Emperor and Empress.

"Frantz, what is this?"

Olga pointed to the wooden shell in the distance and asked with some doubt, "An airplane. A new kind of flying machine."

Franz explained.

"Airplanes? The British also have airships, but their airships are small, though they fly very fast."

Olga had limited knowledge of military matters, but she had consulted her advisors and learned that the British and Austrian empires were losing ground in airship technology, and the advisors had expressed concern.

Olga hoped to attract Franz's attention, but Franz didn't care, since there was no place for airships in the skies of later generations.

"Don't worry, the British aren't as powerful as they say. It won't be easy for them to surpass us in aviation technology."

Before Franz could finish speaking, there was a loud crash, and as the huge weight hit the ground, the first test machine rushed off the runway under the pull of the traction rope.

However, the result was not good. It plunged headfirst into a haystack in the distance, causing grass clippings to fly everywhere, and the surrounding crowd gasped in surprise.

The staff at the scene rushed forward to rescue the pilot, and Olga asked, puzzled.

"Are you sure this is an aircraft, and not some kind of weapon?"

"It is indeed an aircraft. Failure is the mother of success. Don't worry, there are still thirteen left."

Olga shrugged and joked.

"Hopefully there are still enough haystacks over there."

Soon, the second, third, fourth, and fifth planes crashed into the haystacks. The successive failures were somewhat discouraging.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm von Akengnitz and Vincent Augustin, standing to the side, were already drenched in sweat, bearing inescapable responsibility as the highest-ranking officials in their respective departments.

The Austrian Empire not only had many scientists and craftsmen, but even more people aspired to high-ranking official positions.

If they fail to produce results, someone will surely report their incompetence to the emperor or the government.

Given His Majesty's personality, he might choose to continue to trust them, or he might dismiss them and investigate them, or he might even exile them to a colony.

From the perspective of most Austrian Imperial officials, Franz's personality was always unfathomable.

More importantly, officials in this era are not exactly clean, so if someone wants to investigate, they can definitely find something out.

Suddenly someone shouted.

"It flew away!"

After a violent tremor, the sixth test machine finally left the ground, and the nose began to slowly rise. One second, two seconds, three seconds, four seconds, five seconds. A full eighteen seconds!
Then he plunged into the nearby forest, but fortunately the pilot only suffered minor injuries.

Franz finally breathed a sigh of relief; he had been truly afraid that all fourteen prototypes would be lost. Although Franz knew that failure and setbacks were the norm in researching new technologies, he really didn't want all his previous efforts and groundwork to be in vain.

Who designed this?

Franz asked.

Wilhelm von Akengnitz continued.

"This is the masterpiece of Dr. Hassen from our glider club."

After Wilhelm von Akengnitz finished speaking, he immediately handed Franz a detailed set of parameters and design data.

Vincent Augustine, standing to the side, looked both disdainful and envious.

Franz pretended to glance at it twice and then handed it to Olga, who in turn pretended to glance at it twice and then returned it to Wilhelm von Akengniz.

Then came a series of failures, but Franz wasn't too worried, after all, the Wright brothers' first test flight only lasted 12 seconds.