Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 140, Section 139: Acceptance of Napalm Bombs; Internal Meeting of Fang Wen's Small Group

Sixty explosives loading workers received rigorous training from Huo Duanyang and his chemical team.

As required by the chemistry team, the loading process must strictly adhere to every step without any errors.

The experienced fireworks and firecracker loading workers had no objection to this.

Having witnessed incidents of people being injured or killed by explosions caused by reckless behavior, they must understand the preciousness of life to become skilled explosives loaders.

Therefore, they listened carefully to the entire loading process and watched Huo Duanyang's demonstration attentively.

Then, a simulation test was conducted.

Sixty loading workers perfectly replicated Huo Duanyang's operation demonstration, which satisfied Huo Duanyang.

Next, he conducted small-batch tests with the propellant loaded.

These napalm bombs will undergo several tests.

However, it was not carried out immediately; instead, they waited for the general manager to come and inspect and accept the project.

April 29, 1933.

The F.220 landed again at Xiangxi Airport.

After the plane landed, Fang Wen and his small group of people got off the plane.

Kuang Mingzhu, Manager Liu, Pan Jiafeng, Shao Sishen, Howard, and William, who can communicate in Chinese.

In addition, there are Sun Debiao, Fang Shouxin, and Fang Shun here.

Fang Wen's small group of members were all present.

They will witness together the testing and acceptance process of napalm bombs.

Then hold a group meeting.

Huo Duanyang, as the project manager, presided over the test and gave an introduction.

"The test is divided into five parts. The first test is the combustion performance test, the second is the stickiness and adhesion performance test, the third is the human body harm test, the fourth is the environmental test, and the fifth is the safety test."

Times have changed. Huo Duanyang uses a rigorous industrial testing process to verify the performance of the products in all aspects, in order to ensure that a large number of bombs will not have any problems during bombing.

Fang Wen came here this time to see the results; bombing with several tons of bombs is no child's play.

Then, the first test began.

Combustion performance tests measure the temperature and duration of the flame formed after a napalm bomb explodes, in order to assess its combustion efficiency and kill radius.

Without specific testing equipment, this test can only be performed by temperature detection.

Of course, we don't use a thermometer to measure the temperature, but rather to determine the melting point.

After the napalm bomb exploded, testers wearing protective suits added substances with different melting points into the flames.

Finally, Huo Duanyang made the announcement.

"Testing showed that high temperatures can melt salt but not iron, indicating that the temperature was around 1000 degrees Celsius."

1000 degrees Celsius is enough to burn most common substances.

You passed the test.

The second test.

Adhesion and adhesion performance tests.

The tester detonated yet another napalm bomb.

The bursting flames adhered to different materials.

The testers observed carefully, made records, and then Huo Duanyang announced the results.

"The deflagration flame has good adhesion and can remain on the object for a long time to continue burning. Test passed."

The third test.

Human injury testing
Of course, we don't use living people for testing.

Instead, they used a domestic pig bought from a local.

As the test was about to begin, Fang Wen said to Kuang Mingzhu, "Don't watch it, or you'll have nightmares tonight."

Kuang Mingzhu nodded and turned away.

After she left, the test began.

The domestic pigs, confined in a stone pen, were covered in numerous sparks after the napalm bomb exploded, causing them to burn.

A live pig was suddenly burned to a crisp and turned into a black charcoal.

This power moved everyone.

Each person had different thoughts when they thought about the scene that would result from a large-scale bombing.

The next two tests went quite normally.

The fourth item.

Environmental testing
Testers conducted tests in different environments, such as buildings, simulated forests, and water sources, to observe its combustion effects and kill range.

The results proved that it was extremely destructive to buildings and forests.

This also secretly alarmed Fang Wen.

Napalm bombs cannot be dropped in forested areas; once they start burning, there's no way to stop them.

The fifth item.

Security testing.

This is also the most important step.

The testers conducted safety tests during storage, transportation, and use.

This includes a drop test with a 3-meter drop and an impact test with a 20-kilogram force.

These are all to prove whether, during transportation and use, an accidental drop or impact would detonate a napalm bomb.

The results showed that the impact did not trigger an explosion.

The propellant in napalm bombs will only detonate under the influence of potential energy impacts at heights exceeding 500 meters, or under special detonation impacts.

This test significantly reduced the danger of future bombing operations.

Through five tests, everyone gained a deeper understanding of napalm bombs.

Subsequently, in the newly built hangar at the airport.

Everyone sat in a circle, ate first, and then talked about business.

In the middle is a unique way of eating in western Hunan: a fire pit. Firewood is placed in the pit, and then an iron rack is placed on top. Various stir-fried dishes are then stewed in a large iron pot.

Sun Debiao loves eating it this way the most, and even took the initiative to explain: "In our Northeast, this is called a mixed stew. I didn't expect that people here also like to eat it this way."

This way of eating is quite casual; everyone gathers around the fire pit and uses chopsticks to pick up whatever they want to eat.

The fire below was a bit too high, so Kuang Mingzhu put down her bowl and chopsticks and used the spatula in the iron pot to stir-fry the food to prevent it from burning.

Fang Wen looked at Howard and William and asked, "Are you enjoying the food?" Howard, who was engrossed in his meal, responded with a soft "hmm."

William replied, "It's a bit like a picnic. Actually, I like dishes made with firewood, especially that black meat."

"You mean cured pork? Smoked over charcoal, it really tastes good." Fang Wen nodded.

He ate two bowls and then stopped, waiting for the others.

After a while, everyone finished. The large iron pot was taken away and replaced with a kettle.

The kettle steamed at high temperatures and boiled in no time.

Fang Wen took the tea canister from Kuang Mingzhu, grabbed a handful for himself, and poured in hot water to brew it.

"Anyone who wants tea, please help themselves. Hot water will be used to make it fresh, but be careful not to burn yourself."

Then, the tea canister was passed around, and everyone brewed a bowl of Longjing tea.

Fang Wen then began the group meeting.

"Today everyone witnessed the successful testing of napalm bombs, which means they will soon be in production and ready for use. I plan to use them to bomb Japanese troops outside the Great Wall. Does anyone have any objections?"

Shao Sichen spoke up: "If this kind of bombing hits its target, the effect will definitely be very good, and it can change the course of the battle in some areas. But it will also allow the Japanese to find the source of the bombing. If that happens, how should we deal with it?"

Fang Wen did not answer, but looked at the others.

Pan Jiafeng replied, "I suggest setting up the F.220 base at Xiangxi Airport, which is less than 2000 kilometers from the Great Wall and can cover the war zone there. Even if the Japanese discover it, they won't be able to reach it from such a distance."

Manager Liu shook his head: "The main concern of everyone is not the Japanese, but the Nationalist government."

This sentence tore away the last veil.

Fang Shouxin stated directly: "If the bombing ends and we are discovered, the Nationalist government will definitely requisition the planes."

Huo Duanyang argued, "They have planes but can't fly them. These planes are easy targets during the day. The Japanese planes can intercept them mid-flight. Only the general manager has the capability to bomb at night."

Sun Debiao sneered, "Then they'll have the general manager forcibly conscripted as well."

It looked like everyone was about to start arguing.

Fang Wen quickly spoke up to stop him.

"Let me share my personal thoughts. Based on my understanding of the Nationalist government, even if the planes are requisitioned, there's a high chance they won't be used against the Japanese, which is the last thing I want to see. Therefore, my idea is that the bombing should still be carried out, but secrecy must be maintained."

"How can we keep this a secret? It's such a big plane," Shunzi said helplessly.

Fang Wen smiled and responded.

"You are blinded by your own perspective. In your view, the F.220 is huge and easy to spot, and you worry about leaks. But from another angle, it will only fly at night from now on. Who can know where it flies or what it does? You could say that from now on, the F.220 will be a stealth bomber at night, and the Japanese will not be able to find its tracks at all. By secrecy, I mean that the source of the aerial bombs must be kept from being traced by the Japanese."

Everyone immediately relaxed. Yes, the F.220, which is not visible, is unlikely to arouse suspicion from the outside world, but the bomb is easy to trace.

The main problem is that the raw material procurement volume is huge, and many of them are sourced from Shanghai, making it too easy to be discovered.

Therefore, Manager Liu and Fang Shouxin suggested abandoning the practice of solely sourcing from Shanghai and instead diversifying their procurement sources.

Fang Wen nodded.

“I also agree with diversifying the procurement, which leads to the other two topics for discussion today. The first is dealing with the Japanese aircraft acquisition plan, and the second is launching Taishan Airlines’ international flights.”

He stood up: "Let's start with the first one. Some time ago, the Japanese set up a counter at the Shanghai Stock Exchange specifically for buying and selling aircraft ownership certificates. At first, I thought they wanted to cause trouble with fake certificates, but later I found out it wasn't that simple. They really wanted to acquire all the aircraft ownership certificates to control Taishan Airlines."

Sun Debiao immediately tensed up: "If they obtain all the aircraft ownership certificates, wouldn't they be able to demand that we stop leasing the aircraft? Without aircraft, how can Taishan Airlines continue to operate?"

If Sun Debiao can figure it out, others can naturally understand it too.

Fang Shun came up with an idea: "Why don't we deny those property ownership certificates and just say they're all fake?"

After he finished speaking, Fang Shouxin glared at him fiercely and said with a look of disappointment, "This won't do. They bought it from the original owner with real money, and everyone who sold the property certificate is a witness to them. If you do this, you will only ruin the reputation of Taishan Airlines."

Fang Shouxin's explanation has turned this issue into a predicament.

The discussion began, focusing primarily on how to stop the Japanese actions.

Seeing that no one shared his opinion, Fang Wen could only speak up: "I think we can let them buy the aircraft ownership certificate. Anyway, the plane has been flying for more than a year, and it's time to replace it with a new one. It's not like we can't afford it."

"Buy a new plane! Where to buy it? How to transport it? How much will it cost?" Manager Liu asked three key questions in one breath.

"The French company Devatina's D.332 passenger plane can carry 22 people and has a range of 2000 kilometers. It is perfect for us to develop international routes and can also be used for domestic routes, enabling multiple take-offs and landings per day."

Everyone present was from Taishan Airlines, and they had a particular sensitivity to airplanes, especially passenger planes. Fang Wen's words immediately struck a chord with them.

Pan Jiafeng exclaimed, "It's much better than the Boeing 247."

Manager Liu had a different perspective: "22 passengers, while a Boeing 247 only carries 10. Even if it's twice as expensive, it's still worth it."

Indeed, from a business perspective, the more passengers a plane carries, the higher its profit margin. At the same time, the longer the flight, the more expensive the ticket price. The two advantages of the D.332 aircraft perfectly match the requirements of airlines.

From this perspective, it is simply a perfect replacement for the Boeing 247.

Everyone looked at Fang Wen with more concern, wanting to know the answers to the other two questions.

Fang Wen replied, "I asked someone to inquire about the price of the D.332. Their response was that it hasn't officially entered production yet, and the first finished product will undergo a long-distance test flight. If I agree to fly it across Asia and Europe again as a promotional event, they are willing to sell it to us for 220 million francs, which is about $10 per aircraft. If we can reach an agreement, I will directly discuss international flights with airports along the route and fly it back to China as well."

$10 a plane is really not expensive. I remember when I bought a Boeing 80, it cost $11. Now it's $1 cheaper to buy this new plane.

When the discussion turned to the Boeing 247, everyone basically accepted the idea of ​​abandoning the Boeing 247 and purchasing the D.332.

After all, this aligns with Taishan Airlines' development needs, giving them more confidence by having their own flight assets.

The next point of discussion is how to set up a scheme to lure the Japanese into successfully acquiring the aircraft ownership certificate, and then use that scheme to force Taishan Airlines to step in.

Sun Debiao pondered for a long time before finally managing to say, "Our Taishan Airlines is so good that those who are short of money will sell the property certificate, but those who are not short of money may not sell even if they offer 20% or 30% more, because it's all about saving face."

His idea was correct; not everyone who owns an aircraft ownership certificate will sell it.

If the Japanese cannot purchase a large number of aircraft ownership certificates, they will not be able to implement their plan. Without implementing the plan, Taishan Airlines will be unable to carry out the aircraft asset swap.

From this perspective, it seems that Taishan Airlines wanted the Japanese to complete the plan.

Not only must the Japanese plan succeed, but the tung oil merchants who support Taishan Aviation's development must also make another fortune.

Everyone couldn't help but burst into knowing laughter.

Fang Wen suppressed a laugh and said, "If it's because Taishan Airlines is too good, then we should become a little worse, so that everyone thinks we have a problem."

Shao Sishen echoed, "Yes, this is called feigning weakness to lull the Japanese into a false sense of security."

With this line of thought, everyone came up with many new ideas.

It is said that doing good deeds is difficult, but doing bad deeds is too easy.

They falsified financial records and leaked them to outsiders.

Disputes and accidents may occur during flight.

There were also revelations from employees within Taishan Airlines.

All of these could have a negative impact on Taishan Airlines.

Although these negative impacts may damage Taishan Airlines' image, since they are unfounded, once the Japanese have completed the asset swap for Taishan Airlines, they can issue a clarification announcement at any time to restore its reputation.

At this point in the discussion, Fang Wen raised his hand to stop the conversation: "Alright, let's stop discussing this today. We'll go back and talk about the details later. Now there's one last point: how should our Taishan Volunteer Army support the Great Wall Anti-Japanese Army in bombing the Japanese troops outside the Great Wall?"

(End of this chapter)