What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 132: Asking for Credit (600 monthly tickets plus more)

In 84, the Melbourne was bought by a private shipbreaking yard and sent to the dock for dismantling.

Old Zhang, who had been impatient for a long time, brought a group of young researchers and shipbuilding engineers, less than ten people, and boarded the 20,000-ton giant ship for the first time.

This was his first time on an aircraft carrier. Standing on the deck and looking at the vast borders around him, he felt indescribable shock. He put on sunglasses and took a classic photo on the deck.

Starting with them, the Navy sent more than a dozen teams to board the Melbourne and conduct a comprehensive inspection as the dismantling process progressed.

This was the first time in China that a combat ship of more than 10,000 tons was encountered, and it was also the first time for countless people to see and board an authentic aircraft carrier with their own eyes.

After the 60s, domestic warships were almost cut off from the input of foreign technology, and other modern warships were rarely seen. This is the first time in nearly three decades that we have been able to get a detailed understanding of a non-domestic main battle ship.

At that time, the sensation caused by the Melbourne was no less than that caused by the Varyag. Since then, countless people have written to the navy to donate money, especially hoping that the country would also develop aircraft carriers.

However, after carefully studying the Melbourne, the country discovered a fact:
Even aircraft carriers with technology from the late 50s have many technical difficulties for China, and we currently do not have the ability to develop modern aircraft carriers.

The contact with Melbourne gave birth to the first batch of technical talents specializing in aircraft carrier research in China, including Lao Zhang. They have been waiting for the day when conditions are ripe, and have been trying to purchase Type 1143 or Varyag to continue to narrow the gap.

According to Lao Zhang's estimation, in another five years, in the new century, the country will be able to launch an aircraft carrier project. With technological breakthroughs, it will be possible to build an aircraft carrier with a conservative design in about 5 to 7 years.

When seeing the Hornet through the telescope, Lao Zhang suddenly had a strong premonition. Even though he remained calm on the surface, a crazy idea couldn't help but develop in his heart.

When the boat approached the landing port at the stern of the Hornet, several people on the boat simultaneously knocked on the heavy hull in front of them:

The cool touch and heavy hardness make it clear to any sailor who has been on board a ship that this is a giant steel ship.

When he looked closely, he immediately saw the dense pipes running through every corner of the ship. In order to facilitate maintenance, the ship's pipes were almost all exposed, and it was almost obvious at a glance that it was definitely not a model.

From the instrument pointers on the wall, he could also see that the pipes were working perfectly fine, and the cabin's electrical layout and emergency measures were in order.

Old Zhang felt a little dizzy and leaned against the cold cabin wall when he saw the young man who came and called him inexplicably.

……

After traveling for several months, it was the first time that Tang Wen saw an "acquaintance".

Although I knew it might attract attention, the response from this great guy, Lao Zhang, was really unexpected.

Ju Zuo is not a young man. He has been a well-known internal reference expert for several years. He is a very capable one and should have participated in many important decisions.

Tang Wen was thinking about how to greet him, but unexpectedly, Lao Zhang took the initiative to call out:
"Hello, Young Master Tang."

Tang Wen: "..."

Tang Wen couldn't help feeling a little ashamed when his online name was mentioned, but he wasn't too surprised that his pseudonym was exposed. After all, he didn't deliberately hide his identity.

However, Lao Zhang's usual sense of humor made Tang Wen relax. He smiled and walked forward to shake hands with the other party's strong big hand.

"I've heard a lot about you, but I never thought I'd meet you."

Lao Zhang was not surprised to be recognized. He is now a semi-public figure, and he is basically unavoidable when studying current affairs and cutting-edge military affairs.

However, the familiarity between the two made Lu Jun dumbfounded. He was just worried that Tang Wen would lose control and was about to come out to smooth things over, but how come they acted like they had known each other for a long time?
As a senior member of the Strategic Research Institute, Tang Wen had no intention of keeping the secret. He patted the pipeline beside him vigorously, and after a dull echo, he began to introduce:
"Based on the Yorktown-class ship, the third ship, the Hornet, it was modified with an angled deck and steam catapults, increasing its weight by about 3 tons. The power system and cabin layout remained basically unchanged. I'm unable to upgrade the electronic system, so it's basically better than nothing.

It is still powered by nine boilers, outputting 9 horsepower. Due to the weight gain, the maximum speed has dropped to around 12 knots, but it can be equipped with a steam catapult without any problems.

Lao Zhang keenly grasped the key point:

"Catapult?"

"The BS4 catapult, an early British model, is actually the same model used on the Melbourne. The data should be similar." "Say it again!"

This time it wasn't Lao Zhang who spoke, but Yan Jian, who had just been lying on the ground trying to hug the aircraft carrier. He asked in disbelief:
"This ship is equipped with a BS4 catapult. Can it be used normally?"

Tang Wen: "Of course, but we're short on manpower on board right now. We need to fire up the boiler and prepare for the demonstration. It's probably too late today. We can only watch now."

"Take us there quickly!"

Yan Jian was still excited, but Xiao Jia and two other officers had already left the stern and entered the Hornet's hangar after passing through a short corridor.

Tang Wen quickly brought Lao Zhang and others to follow and also came to the hangar.

The Hornet's hangar covers an area of ​​more than 2800 square meters and is 5.3 meters high at its lowest point. At this moment, there are more than aircraft crammed into the hangar, all stacked together with their wings folded, as if they are quietly waiting to participate in the battle.

Yan Jian walked in the huge hangar and couldn't help but get closer to the nearest TBD torpedo bomber. He could even see traces of butter on the landing gear.

On the right side of the hangar is a huge opening that is 15 meters long, allowing air and sunlight to flow in continuously.

Tang Wen took Lao Zhang to the elevator exit and pressed the button hard.

The motor started with the unique high-frequency current sound, and the chain and ratchet mechanism turned with a click. The heavy elevator of 15 meters square, which is larger than the area of ​​four bedrooms and two living rooms, descended quickly and steadily from the deck to the hangar exit.

Tang Wen took the lead and the others followed immediately.

"I abandoned the Hornet's original inboard elevator and modified it with two outboard elevators towards the island, but I think this should be enough."

As they were talking, the elevator started to vibrate and rise again, but instead of being afraid, everyone looked excited.

An officer measured the size of the elevator with his eyes and said:

"That's enough! It's big enough to squeeze in two medium-sized carrier-based aircraft. Okay, better than the Melbourne, which doesn't have an outboard elevator."

When the elevator reached the deck, Lao Zhang's first impression was that it was huge.

The Melbourne is only 24 meters wide, while the Hornet was originally 34 meters wide. It was slightly widened while being modified with an angled deck, and its maximum width is 55 meters.

At the same time, the original semi-open bow was changed to a fully enclosed one, and the deck length was also increased a lot. It was dozens of meters longer than the Melbourne and nearly twice as wide, and the standard displacement was almost doubled.

This is a real aircraft carrier, a sea behemoth.

The island of the Hornet looks towering, with a height of over 60 meters, which is close to that of a 20-story building. Moreover, it is extremely wide, looking like a palace on the sea.

Next to the island, the ground crew that had just launched the SBD was still there, and there were a few planes parked nearby, apparently preparing to launch another F4F.

Lao Zhang's hands trembled slightly uncontrollably, as if what he saw was not an old F4F, but a brand new jet carrier-based aircraft painted with a naval logo.

He looked at Tang Wen, who was calm and smiling, and was a little distracted, having forgotten all the questions he had prepared.

The latter turned around and said with a chuckle, as if asking for credit for a perfect assignment:

"Commander, although this aircraft carrier is a little small and its technology is a little outdated, the Navy shouldn't mind it, right?"

Old Zhang immediately shook his head, even grinning. "30,000 tons, with an angled deck, a steam catapult, and an outboard elevator—I wouldn't mind it, I definitely wouldn't!"

"So, if this aircraft carrier is sold for 1 billion, is it more cost-effective than the Varyag?"

"That must be a good deal... huh?"

(End of this chapter)