Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 475 The Birth of the First-Generation Fighter Fire Control System, Graduation of the Flight Class

Gunship aircraft took off and flew directly over the waters of Yangon Bay.

Without activating his mechanical senses, Fang Wen gazed at the shimmering sea below through the cockpit window.

Some small dots were faintly visible on the sea surface, but they were not clearly visible to the naked eye at this altitude.

In a state of mechanical perception, everything below can be clearly seen.

This time, however, Fang Wen was testing the television fire control equipment, so he looked at the newly installed fire control aiming CRT monitor in front of him.

The black and white image shows the sea below.

The clarity is even worse than future feature phones for the elderly. As for the recognition and shooting performance, we'll have to wait and see in the next test.

Fang Wen's right hand was gripping the joystick below the monitor.

He slowly moved the control stick to the right. As the control stick moved, the connecting rod mechanism transmitted the signal to the aircraft machine gun mount on the belly of the aircraft, which then drove the machine gun barrel to swing to the right.

This operation controls the direction of the machine gun barrel, while also allowing the camera device fixed above the barrel to capture the view of the gun as it moves.

This feedback is then displayed on the fire control aiming CRT monitor.

A dark-colored pontoon target appears on the screen.

Fang Wen continued to slightly move the joystick until the target image entered the red firing zone on the fire control aiming CRT display.

Then quickly press the launch button on the joystick.

The machine gun on the belly of the plane fired a continuous stream of bullets at the target.

At the same time, Fang Wen also activated mechanical sensing to observe the shooting effect.

The orange-painted buoy targets were splashed with waves as bullets fired, and the buoy targets themselves were also hit by some bullets.

The first test shot had such an effect, which excited Fang Wen.

This success demonstrates that he has developed a fire control system that has never existed before in World War II.

This has led to a significant improvement in the accuracy of long-range weapons.

It is important to know that in the past, pilots relied on experience to make predictions in aerial combat, and almost all combat shooting processes were predictive.

With this more intuitive fire control aiming device, pilots can achieve truly targeted shooting.

Its best place is in high-speed fighter jets, which will change the entire mode of aerial combat.

Fang Wen even imagined what the Taishan fighter jet would look like with the new fire control system installed.

It should have a dedicated pilot and a gunner.

During combat, the pilot and gunner cooperate. The pilot flies the aircraft to the combat angle, and then the gunner takes aim through the fire control aiming CRT display.

This kind of combat process is far more precise than that of other aircraft.

This will greatly enhance the combat performance of fighter jets.

Shaking off his thoughts, Fang Wen continued the test.

In the subsequent tests, the hit rate was also tallied.

The hit rate of manual aiming via television guidance, achieved through aerial video recording, is two-thirds.

This is mainly due to the resolution error of the device.

That's due to the limitations of current display and camera technologies, and it can't be changed until a new technology replaces it.

Subsequently, Fang Wen attempted to conduct shooting tests by combining his supernatural abilities.

He simultaneously activated mechanical sensing and electro-sensing.

While seamlessly integrating with the aircraft, it also provides a more detailed understanding of the status of the aircraft's internal electronic equipment.

With this combination of abilities, shooting accuracy improved significantly, but he also discovered a problem.

The shock-absorbing springs of the camera device bracket resonate with the aircraft engine, generating harmonics.

This will affect the shooting effect and make the image less stable.

The solution to this problem is quite simple: just replace the shock-absorbing spring.

No other problems have been found so far.

Wait a minute, Fang Wen suddenly had a brilliant idea.

By using mechanical sensing, one can achieve human-machine integration, perceive the entire internal situation of the machine, and also expand the external sensing range by taking the machine as a whole.

Could mechanical sensing in an electro-induced state also include the electronic equipment inside the aircraft in its perception?

He gave it a try.

Suddenly, my mental state became scattered.

The original senses are collapsing.

A new scene appears.

He had somehow gained access to the perspective captured by the camera device.

Due to limitations in equipment technology, the image from this perspective has the same clarity as that displayed on a CRT monitor for fire control aiming, but it is far inferior to the visual effect obtained by Fang Wen using mechanical perception.

Fang Wen quickly exited this strange electronic perspective state.

It seems that the ability to sense electricity is related to the performance of the device. Currently, the performance of electronic devices is far inferior to that of mechanical sensing, making it a completely useless observation effect.

But for ordinary pilots, this is indeed a magical tool.

The first test of the fire control aiming system was a complete success.

It needs to have a name.

Fang Wen named it the 'Taishan TV-guided manual aiming electromechanical auxiliary system'.

To further study it, Fang Wen modified the newly manufactured Taishan first-generation fighter jet.

This new first-generation fighter jet has two 20mm cannons mounted on the lower front section of the aircraft.

It has only two machine guns and a large amount of spare ammunition.

However, these two machine guns were mounted upside down.
Unlike traditional cannons that are mounted in the nose, wings, or fuselage of an aircraft, the inverted vertical mount cannon is mounted upside down on the outside of the aircraft. This mounting method allows for more adjustable angles on the firing axis of the cannon, improving its versatility in combat.

To ensure the performance and firing range of the two machine guns, Fang Wen also specially designed an automatic ammunition feed system.

Inside the pylon below the front of the aircraft, there is an ammunition belt feeder. All spare ammunition is placed in this feeder, thus eliminating the need for external ammunition replacement.

After he completed the modification of the Taishan first-generation fighter jet, the seaplane training course for the pilots also came to an end.

(Diagram of an inverted, vertically mounted machine gun)

mid-October.

The advanced flight course at the pilot training program has begun.

Fang Wen gathered all the students at the school's small airport.

The trainees included 30 people selected from the base areas, 7 from the Yan'an Aviation Team, and 6 from the Second Battalion of the Independent Regiment, including Pan Jiafeng.

A total of 43 people were on board. Behind them, beside the runway, were parked two Taishan first-generation fighter jets (two-seat trainer aircraft).

Fang Wen announced, "After diligent study, everyone has successfully completed the three stages: theoretical learning, ground simulation training, and low-speed aircraft piloting. Your performance was excellent. Now we can begin high-speed fighter jet live-fire training. Everyone, stand at attention and turn around."

43 people turned around in unison.

"See those two aircraft? Those are the trainer aircraft you'll be using for live-fire training. The one on the left is familiar to everyone, and the one on the right is newly manufactured. They've already been finalized, so you can call the one on the left a fighter jet and the one on the right an interceptor."

Pan Jiafeng raised his hand.

"What's your problem? Tell me."

"Teacher, I know what a fighter jet is, but what does interceptor mean?" Pan Jiafeng asked on behalf of the students.

The term 'fighter jet' first appeared during World War I.

At that time, airplanes were just beginning to be used in the military field. People classified airplanes according to their different uses. Airplanes used to fight enemy airplanes in the air and compete for air superiority were called fighter jets.

For example, aircraft such as the French Nieuport 17 and the German Fokker E.III from World War I are already referred to as "fighter jets" by some aviation professionals.

This terminology is also used in the theoretical teaching at Taishan Aviation School, and it can be said that most fighter jets can be called fighter jets.

Interceptors, which had not yet been mentioned in theoretical teaching, were introduced for the first time by Fang Wen.

Fang Wen explained:

"Interceptors, as the name suggests, are used for aerial interception operations, targeting bombers and enemy fighters. Compared to fighters, interceptors need strong burst firepower to promptly thwart the enemy aircraft's objectives. Therefore, interceptors' firepower is more precise and their firepower is also increased."

His words piqued the trainees' interest; who wouldn't want to pilot the most powerful fighter jet into the sky and fight the enemy?

In response, Fang Wen led the trainees into the aircraft and explained the differences between the two types of fighter jets.

The first-generation Taishan fighter jet was equipped with eight aircraft machine guns, providing a large firing area, making it suitable for swarm operations and relatively easy to operate.

The Taishan first-generation interceptor only had two inverted, vertically mounted 20mm cannons, but these allowed for more precise aiming and firing, increasing the likelihood of hitting enemy aircraft. It was suitable for more skilled pilots, enabling rapid maneuvering operations with the help of gunners, allowing for a single, decisive kill followed by immediate escape.

After listening to Fang Wen's words, the trainees understood the combat modes of the two high-speed fighter jets.

Next comes the actual flight training.

Fang Wen alone cannot train so many students for actual flight training.

But he could first teach the seven people from the Yan'an Air Force and the six people from Pan Jiafeng's side, and then let these experienced people mentor the new ones.

Therefore, Fang Wen had the new trainees first learn about the structure and performance of the new aircraft by following the mechanics at the airport, while he himself piloted the aircraft to begin actual flight training.

Initially, the plan was to take these 13 people on a flight to the Taishan area in the first-generation fighter jet, in order to help them get used to the high-speed flight conditions of the aircraft, which could travel at 500 kilometers per hour.

After the 13 people had adapted, Fang Wen taught them the unique shooting and flying maneuvers of this aircraft type, so that they could master them.

Among them, Qi Baoqian of the Yan'an Aviation Team and his apprentice Pan Jiafeng were the first to master this technique of designing flight maneuvers.

These two individuals' talent and qualities set them apart from other flight trainees.

Therefore, Fang Wen had the remaining 11 of the 13 people take turns flying the first-generation fighter jets to take the new trainees for actual flight training.

He then piloted the first-generation interceptor to continue training Qi Baoqian and Pan Jiafeng.

Interceptor training differs from fighter training.

This is a two-seater aircraft that requires real-time coordination between the pilot and the gunner during combat. To this end, Fang Wen had the two take turns acting as the gunner and began flight training.

The interceptor took to the sky and, piloted by Fang Wen, executed a beautiful large turn.

A gunship-towing aircraft carrying a floating target flew towards them, and Fang Wen adjusted his position to give chase.

At the same time, he spoke loudly to Qi Baoqian behind him.

"Pay attention, the coordination of the interceptors is very important. Before you fly your plane to attack, you must inform the gunner behind you of your combat intentions. For example, right now, I will tell you: Target spotted in the northeast, expected to approach in 5 minutes, and request the gunner to prepare to fire in advance."

He had said the same thing to Pan Jiafeng.

Qi Baoqian nodded seriously, "Understood."

His eyes, however, were fixed on the fire control aiming CRT monitor.

His current role is that of a machine gunner. To achieve good teamwork, one must put oneself in the machine gunner's position and experience the combat process firsthand.

On the monitor, there was only a dark sky ahead, and no target had been spotted yet.

As the aircraft drew closer to the towed target, the target gradually appeared on the monitor.

Fang Wen said, "If the enemy turns left, I will accelerate and pursue them, looking for an opportunity to attack."

Qi Baoqian did not answer this time, focusing on the fire control aiming CRT display, and gripped the control stick with both hands.

During the maneuver and pursuit, he also adjusted the direction of the machine gun fire using the joystick, keeping it always aimed at the target.

As the target gets closer, it appears in the red box in the middle of the screen.

He immediately pressed the launch button on the joystick.

Two inverted, vertically mounted 20mm cannons, aiming in the same direction, fired a series of shells. Some shells grazed the towed target, while others hit it.

The tattered towed targets scattered across the sky indicated that the live-fire training exercise was a success.

Then, the same teaching method was applied to Pan Jiafeng.

The two gradually mastered the driving and combat skills of the Taishan interceptor.

At this point, Fang Wen took a break to teach the other flight trainees.

These trainees, who had already completed several actual flight training sessions, took their seats in the pilot's seat one by one, and Fang Wen came to assess their performance.

No one understands the flight status of these flight trainees better than Fang Wen. Through mechanical perception, Fang Wen identified the problems of these trainees and pointed them out one by one, asking them to make corrections.

This targeted teaching method, which directly identifies flaws, is arguably the most effective form of flight instruction.

The trainees carefully corrected the problems identified by Fang Wen and made significant improvements.

The third week of live flight training yielded significant results.

Not only did the Taishan Air Force and the Second Aviation Battalion of the Independent Regiment master the flying skills of the Taishan's first-generation aircraft, but even the 30 trainees could fly the aircraft normally in the air.

Fang Wen had only one requirement for all his students: to learn the combat flight maneuver he taught them and use it to shoot down the towed target, and that would be considered graduation.

Five students passed the final exam on their first attempt and received an A grade; 16 students passed on their second attempt and received a B grade; and the remaining 22 students all passed on their third attempt and received a C grade.

Although the evaluations differed, all of them successfully graduated and, according to Fang Wen's standards, were ready to pilot the Taishan first-generation aircraft for aerial combat.

By this time, it was already late October.

The domestic situation continues to deteriorate.

After the Japanese army captured the three towns of Wuhan, the Kuomintang army continued to retreat from the rear, with some retreating to Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, some to Shaanxi and Gansu, and others remaining in the central and southern and southeastern regions to continue fighting against the Japanese army.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou to the south is also in grave danger.

Under these circumstances, the anti-Japanese base areas in the north were even more eager to launch an offensive against the Japanese army in order to inspire the Chinese people's spirit of resistance against Japan through victory.

Therefore, the Yan'an Air Force was recalled to prepare for combat.

They were also inquiring whether the Taishan first-generation machine could be deployed in combat.
Fang Wen agreed and said he would fly four first-generation aircraft to Yan'an to support the operation.

(End of this chapter)