Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 49, Modifying the Auxiliary Fuel Tank, 1400km Ultra-Long Flight, Landing in Guangzhou

The straight-line distance from Nanjing to Guangzhou is 1400 kilometers. In those days, the land route would be at least 1600 kilometers, and the sea route would be even more complicated due to the situation in Shanghai.

Fortunately, with the Potez 25, it only takes 7 hours to get there.

However, the Potez 25 has a maximum range of only 600 kilometers. How can it fly such a long distance without stopping?

Fang Wen thought it was a good idea. With his supernatural ability and understanding of aircraft, he figured that installing an auxiliary fuel tank would solve the problem of flight endurance.

But where should the auxiliary fuel tank be installed?
The ammunition rack in the abdomen can perfectly solve this problem.

Once the auxiliary fuel tank is fitted with a hook, it can be hung on the bomb holder. Then, a fuel line switching device can be made.

During the first half of the flight, the auxiliary fuel tank can be used first, and then the main fuel tank can be used for the second half.

Moreover, this auxiliary fuel tank can be detached via the bomb disposal device and jettisoned in the air to reduce the aircraft's weight.

This was a fighter configuration that only appeared during World War II, but Fang Wen managed to come up with it ahead of time.

With auxiliary fuel tanks, the problem of relaying fuel during long-haul flights has been solved.

But to fly there, you need an airport to dock at.

These days, you have to contact the other airport and agree on an approximate time in order for the Guangzhou airport to reserve a runway.

Therefore, Fang Wen was delayed for another day before takeoff, and contacted Instructor Liu by telegram to ask him to communicate with Guangzhou Airport.

The telegram sent back indicated that the ship could only dock between 5 and 6 p.m.

This means the plane has to depart around 10 a.m.

The next morning, I had breakfast at the airport cafeteria and packed some steamed buns and pickled vegetables to go.

At 9:30, Fang Wen and Manager Liu boarded the plane.

Howard drove the repair truck back from the other side of the track and waved to indicate that there were no obstacles ahead.

The plane then accelerated on the runway and took off.

At high altitude, once in a state of constant speed flight, Fang Wen took out a compass and map to determine the flight path.

Use a compass to determine the direction, and then compare it with a map.

In the days before satellite navigation, pilots had to compare observed ground landmarks with markings on maps to ensure they were flying along the correct route.

The landmark for this flight is the Yangtze River.

He quickly determined the course and adjusted the direction using the control stick.

What followed was a long flight.

It was Manager Liu's first time riding in a fighter jet, and he was very interested in it.

He peered out at the scenery below.

The plane flew southeast along the Yangtze River, a natural landmark.

The plane only changed direction and crossed Poyang Lake when it reached the lake's mouth.

After crossing Poyang Lake, you will arrive in Nanchang.

Further down, the terrain gradually becomes more complex, consisting mainly of hills and mountains.

At this point, it was time to switch the fuel tank.

Fang Wen twisted a small round handle under the dashboard in front of him.

In mechanical sensing mode, he clearly saw that the fuel line to the auxiliary fuel tank was closed and the fuel line to the main fuel tank was open.

After switching between the main and auxiliary fuel tanks, the remaining 500 kilometers of range will be fueled by the main fuel tank.

After a 1400-kilometer journey and more than seven hours of flight, the plane finally arrived over Guangzhou.

According to Instructor Liu, the airport is located within Guangzhou city.

The specific location is: on the north bank of the Pearl River, above Jiangxinzhou Island, next to Dongshan Lake.

These things aren't written on the map.

Fang Wen must find it himself.

He controlled the plane to circle high above Guangzhou.

Guangzhou during the Republic of China era was surprisingly prosperous and covered a very large area.

Down in the city, a river runs through it; that is the Pearl River.

found it.

Fang Wen saw an island in the middle of the Pearl River in the lower reaches.

On Jiangxinzhou Island is a small lake.

That means the airport is located on the north bank of this section of the river. His gaze shifted to the upper reaches of the Pearl River, looking down and seeing a large open area.

There were still some hangars and runways there, and a few seaplanes were parked on the riverbank.

After confirming that this was the location, Fang Wen continued to circle in the air, awaiting instructions from below.

After a while, a signal came from the aviation frequency of the airplane radio.

"This is the ground control tower of Dashatou Airport. Landing clearance."

Fang Wen controlled the aircraft to determine the landing direction and landed on the airport runway.

Then, the ground crew waved flags and directed Fang Wen to drive the plane off the runway and park it in an empty parking spot.

it is finally over.

Fang Wen stepped off the plane and stretched.

Manager Liu slowly climbed down the boarding stairs, but his legs suddenly gave way and he couldn't stand up.

"My legs are numb," Manager Liu said apologetically.

"That's normal. Fighter jets aren't as comfortable as passenger planes, especially on long-haul flights. A rest will do the trick," Fang Wen explained with a smile.

The two waited by the plane, as agreed in the telegram, whereupon Instructor Liu would come to pick them up.

After a while.

Instructor Liu, dressed in a plaid suit, walked over.

He warmly shook hands with Fang Wen.

"Fang Wen, it's been over a year since I last saw you, you've changed so much."

“Teacher, you’ve changed a lot too. By the way, this gentleman next to me is Manager Liu. He’s a shareholder representative of the company and came with me to understand the situation.”

Teacher Liu shook hands with Manager Liu: "It's a pleasure to meet you. We both have the surname Liu, and we were one family five hundred years ago."

The three chatted, building rapport, and then Instructor Liu looked at the airplane.

Instinctively, he walked to the plane and reached out to touch it.

"Potez 25, the mainstay fighter jet of the Northeast Army a few years ago, far superior to the trainer jets at our Nanyuan Flight School. You actually managed to get one, and even changed the paint scheme. I almost didn't recognize it. Hmm, what does this warship pattern mean?"

As Liu's student, Fang Wen couldn't help but feel a little proud, as if he were reporting his graduation achievements to his teacher. He explained, "This is the plane that sank the Izumo."

"A meritorious machine, huh? Tell me how you got your hands on it. Wait, it's not convenient here, let's go to Sincere Company."

As he spoke, Instructor Liu took Fang Wen's hand and walked out of the airport, with Manager Liu following closely behind.

They got into a black sedan.

Sincere Company is located in a bustling area of ​​the city, and has department stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.

It was a place where high-ranking officials and dignitaries in Guangzhou often came to relax.

The hotel that Fang Wen and Manager Liu went to had a sign that read "Sincere Limited Global Goods Yuexing East Asia Hotel".

Upon entering the hotel, Instructor Liu arranged a quiet private room, then went out alone to make a phone call before returning.

He smiled and said, "I've already contacted the person. It should take another half hour. Let's talk about the bombing of the Izumo first."

Fang Wen nodded and began to explain.

He and Instructor Liu had a common language, and the other could understand many of the details he mentioned.

The dangers involved quickly affected Instructor Liu, who couldn't help but sigh.

"After listening to what you said, I actually think that this air raid was extremely difficult to succeed. There were three times as many enemy planes, and the Izumo itself had good air-to-air capabilities. If you hadn't been lucky and the bombs had landed right in the vulnerable middle position, it would have been hard to say what would have happened."

Fang Wen smiled and nodded: "Yes, I've always been lucky."

"No, it's the Chinese destiny protecting you that allows you to hit the target at an altitude of several thousand meters."

These words were not spoken by Instructor Liu.

Fang Wen looked over and saw a slightly overweight man wearing a trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat.

Teacher Liu quickly stood up and introduced, "This is Yan Bangfu. Whether your matter can be resolved depends on him."

Fang Wen and Manager Liu stood up in response.

The other person took off their coat hood and hung it on the coat rack.

He sat down and said, "Let's sit down and talk. I'm just the go-between. It's not convenient for them to get involved, but you need to explain the situation clearly so I can report back to him."

Fang Wen noticed his hands, which were wearing white gloves.

(End of this chapter)