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

Chapter 1565 Flight Tests (Part 2)

As the heavy object fell, the traction rope began to slowly pull the ninth prototype up, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute.

The ninth prototype began to circle in the sky, circling again and again, for a total of 14 circles, lasting a total of 17 minutes and 51 seconds.

Franz had no choice but to stand up and start clapping. The design level of this prototype had far surpassed that of the Flyer II (flying for 5 minutes), although it was not as good as the Flyer III (flying for 33 minutes and 05 seconds), but the difference was not too great.

In fact, Flyer II was completed in 1904, while Flyer III was completed in 1905, less than a year apart.

Franz looked very surprised, but he was the most normal person there.

Even after Franz stood up and applauded, everyone's eyes remained fixed on Prototype Nine. Franz truly understood what it meant to be completely mesmerized.
Suddenly, prototype number nine began to slowly descend, heading towards the pre-prepared parking apron.

In reality, the so-called helipad is just a few specially treated lawns and a few haystacks.

It's worth mentioning that the plants on the tarmac are Siberian creeping bentgrass, a plant that many people may be unfamiliar with.

However, when it comes to golf course greens, everyone will surely have some impression. In fact, Siberian creeping bentgrass is often the first choice for greens on high-end golf courses in modern times.

Siberian creeping bentgrass is a plant that is soft yet tough, and very flexible, making it suitable as a cushion.

However, Franz did not like golf, nor did he think the Austrian Empire had so much land to waste.

Even in the colonies, Franz did not want anyone to waste the Austrian Empire's precious land and water resources.

In fact, most Austrians, even those who are pro-British, are not very interested in golf.

Even in the early 20th century, when the British held open tournaments in Austria to promote golf, the Austrian Imperial newspapers still referred to it as "a strange game of the Scots playing on the grass."

Personally, Franz disliked this sport intensely. In his previous life, he had been to one once due to certain connections; it was a relatively small golf course, at least the size of a dozen football fields.

Such land would be better used to build parks, let alone residential and commercial areas, than just for a few people to enjoy.

In the Austrian Empire at that time, Siberian creeping bentgrass could not become a noble green on a golf course, but it could serve as a buffer on the tarmac, saving the lives of pilots.

After some angle adjustments, the prototype aircraft finally found a suitable angle and began to land. The wheels rubbed violently against the grass, and the grass stems were lifted high, like a green rain.

Suddenly, the wheel connection on one side of the prototype No. 9 broke, and the fuselage began to shake uncontrollably. Olga, who was standing next to it, couldn't help but scream.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, the prototype No. 9 suddenly changed direction and finally crashed into the prepared haystack. Countless straws were sent flying everywhere, and the fuselage pushed the haystack forward for several meters before coming to a stop.

After the pilot was pulled out of the cockpit, he made a gesture of relief, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Before Franz could even speak, Wilhelm von Akengniz excitedly began his introduction.

"This is Dr. Milos's masterpiece."

Vincent Augustine's expression turned even uglier. Franz didn't want to provoke him too much, after all, Vincent Augustine had been doing his best as the director of the weapons development bureau all these years.

However, one thing at a time, those who have made contributions should still be rewarded.

"Please have Dr. Hassen and Dr. Milos's team representatives come over." Wilhelm von Akengnitz immediately understood, and soon the two teams were brought before Franz and Olga.

"This is Dr. Hassen."

Dr. Hassen, dressed in a gray coat, was on the plump side with a round face, and was now flushed with excitement.

Franz had actually thought that only Dr. Hassen's team would succeed, so he planned to save the reward ceremony for last.

However, the situation was much better than expected, and a time of 17 minutes and 51 seconds was enough for Franz to be proud of.

"Dr. Hassen, congratulations on the successful test flight of the prototype aircraft you and your team have completed. The 20,000 florins are a reward for your hard work and dedication."

I hope you can keep up the good work.

Immediately after Franz finished his speech, someone handed Dr. Hassen a box full of cash.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. We will not let you down."

In reality, royal rewards are usually not presented in cash, but rather via bank drafts. This is done partly to prevent the court from being tainted by money, and partly to avoid disputes.

However, Franz knew that sometimes the more mundane the method, the more it could boost morale. Twenty thousand florins was almost equivalent to the income of an ordinary worker in the Austrian Empire for two hundred years in the original timeline.

Of course, Franz didn't use gold, but paper money, and it also included half of the coupons from the United Power Department Store.

Franz wouldn't let these people save all their money; he was giving them money so they would spend it and contribute to the national market.

As for whether anyone will object to the consumption vouchers from United Power Department Store?
In reality, it's highly unlikely, because Union Power Department Stores had a monopoly on a lot of luxury consumption in the Austrian Empire, and they wouldn't find themselves with nowhere to spend their money.

Moreover, you can't avoid spending the vouchers; the vouchers Franz provides all have an expiration date.

However, these rewards are not subject to taxes and do not take up government funding, so most people do not complain.

To ensure fairness and transparency, Franz called the entire team over and had a professional accountant conduct an on-site inventory.

After all, suing royalty is nothing new in Europe, and Franz didn't want to get into any trouble because of it.

Dr. Milos is a typical aristocratic scholar, tall and thin, dressed in an impeccable suit, with a gold pocket watch hanging on his chest, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his serious face.

After the routine remarks, Franz said a few more words. After all, Milos's aircraft design was very close to the Wright brothers' finished product in 1905. Although the landing performance was not very good, it was not a big deal.

Franz estimated that Milos would be able to produce a truly qualified prototype within a year.

"Dr. Milos, your design is far from finished; it will change the world. I look forward to your future works."

Olga, who was standing nearby, thought the planes were amazing, but she still couldn't figure out what these wooden shells could do.

"Frantz, these planes are too small and too dangerous. I feel they are not as safe and reliable as airships. At this time, both ships and railways are developing in a direction that is getting bigger and bigger, why do you want to go against the trend?"

(End of this chapter)