Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 528 Looking to the Future: Rockets = Missiles = Space Rockets, New Flight Trainees and the Guangxi Military Procurement Group

A discussion on rockets is underway at the Taishan Research Institute.

The researchers were very interested in the Soviet-made materials brought by Fang Wen.

While discussing this topic, someone raised a question about relevance.

"General Manager, why are we putting so much effort into rockets? Are these weapons really that important? Shouldn't our research focus be on airplanes, tanks, and artillery?"

The discussion stopped abruptly when he raised this question, and everyone looked at Fang Wen.

This is a question shared by researchers.

As times change and technology advances, each era has its own limitations, and it is impossible to predict how things will develop in the future.

As a person from the future, Fang Wen naturally knew more than they did.

Fang Wen felt it necessary to further explain to the researchers the enormous benefits that rocket technology could bring and its role on the battlefield, so that they would be more enthusiastic about the research project.

How should I put it?

His mind raced. After a moment, he spoke:
"As the domestic war has progressed to this point, many believe that the Japanese army's strength is based on their superior military equipment—tanks, aircraft, artillery, warships, and even individual weapons are all better than ours. This is indeed true, but it's not impossible to surpass them. At least in my view, our Taishan forces can lead Japan in rocket technology and high-speed fighter technology. As for why I've invested so much financial, human, and material resources in rocket technology, you can read on to learn more."

As he spoke, he walked up to the podium, and the technicians who had been discussing things by the blackboard quickly made way for him.

Fang Wen erased a messy calculation process on the blackboard, but before he could even put pen to paper, he spoke up again.

"Rockets are an advanced military technology. Currently, the Soviet Union, Germany, Britain, and the United States are all secretly researching them. It was after I gained a deep understanding of this that I decided to vigorously develop this technology."

After saying that, he turned and wrote, "The man-portable rocket is just the beginning. It is portable and powerful, giving infantry a better chance to attack targets. But its applications go far beyond that. By scaling it up, multi-rail launchers can be installed on heavy-duty trucks to launch more than a dozen high-powered rockets at once, providing coverage attacks on target areas. The launch rails can also be installed on aircraft for directional targeting attacks, thus achieving highly mobile and accurate precision air strikes."

After explaining the two applications of open space and ground, Fang Wen did not stop, but continued.

"Its uses are not limited to these. If it is enlarged further and a multi-stage fuel system is used for jet-assisted flight, its range will theoretically increase indefinitely. 500 kilometers, 1000 kilometers, or even be able to be launched beyond the Chinese mainland, across the ocean, and directly attack the Japanese mainland."

His words, though about things that are certain to happen in the future, have undoubtedly opened a new window for scientific and technological personnel in this era.

If this military technology could be used to threaten the Japanese homeland, then the significance would be immense.

Fang Wen greatly boosted the researchers' interest, making them even more eager to study rocket technology.

But they didn't expect that Fang Wen hadn't finished speaking.

"Everyone, please be quiet. If our rocket technology can reach the Japanese mainland, it can also do another thing: launch there. One day, our rockets will be able to fly out of the Earth and enter another realm."

He pointed to the moon outside the window and proposed the concept of space travel.

On January 23, 1939, the technicians at the Taishan Research Institute fully experienced the general manager's madness in technological research.

The development of rocket rail launchers is progressing rapidly.

Based on the blueprints provided by Fang Wen, the rocket project team produced a miniaturized rail launcher.

This device was used to test-fire extended-range missiles modified from man-portable rockets.

This allowed them to grasp most of the principles of the device, but for practical application, they needed to have Soviet-made rockets delivered before they could be manufactured to match the actual device.

Fang Wen also needed to study the internal structure and propellant of Soviet-made rockets in order to develop Taishan's own medium- and short-range rocket technology.

While he was engrossed in improving military technology, two groups of guests arrived at Yangon Airport, both on international flights operated by Thai Airways.

1 month 26 day.

Two Taishan Airlines planes landed at Yangon Airport.

The first group to disembark were the Guangxi Army's military procurement delegation, led by Major General Huang, a staff officer from the Guangxi clique, who was dressed in a crisp military uniform and followed by several officers. They were on the orders of Commander Li to negotiate the purchase of military aircraft from Taishan Airlines.

Staff Officer Huang stepped off the gangway, looked around, and whispered to the officer beside him, "Taishan Airlines has more planes parked at its airport than our Guilin Airport. They look very powerful. No wonder they can build so many planes."

The adjutant nodded: "I just saw several gunboats at the nearby seaport from the plane. They should be newly manufactured. If we can import them, our Guangxi Army will have fighter jets to support our operations again."

The officers of the former Guangxi Air Force looked at each other and smiled. Although they had tried, they were only equipped with some biplanes due to financial constraints. Later, all those pilots were incorporated into the Nationalist government.

Purchasing the Taishan gunboat now is also fulfilling the Guangxi Army's dream of becoming an air force.

Airport staff approached and guided them to the reception area. Huang Zhiming noticed another group of people disembarking not far away. They were dressed in ordinary business attire, but their every move exuded the competence of soldiers.

The second group to disembark were the second batch of military flight cadets disguised as business personnel. They came from the Eighth Route Army, the New Fourth Army, and Yan'an. They met in Guiyang and took a Taishan Airlines plane to Yangon.

The team leader was Chen Zhiyuan, who used the alias "Boss Chen." He led a dozen young trainees, ostensibly to purchase civilian supplies, but in reality, they were under orders from Yan'an to secretly learn flight techniques.

Chen Zhiyuan lowered his voice and said to the trainees, "Remember, we are businessmen now, so don't reveal your identities. Once we arrive at the base, follow all instructions."

The trainees nodded, but their eyes couldn't hide their excitement. Although they had gone through a rigorous selection process, this was their first time flying, let alone learning to drive.

The two groups briefly met at the airport. Staff Officer Huang glanced at Chen Zhiyuan, slightly puzzled: "These people don't look like ordinary businessmen..." But he didn't think much of it. After all, it was common for wartime business people to be a mixed bag with complicated identities, not to mention that the situation in Yangon was even more complicated now.

Chen Zhiyuan, however, was secretly on guard. The relationship between the Guangxi Army and the Nationalist government was delicate, and if the New Fourth Army were discovered here, it could cause unnecessary trouble. He signaled to the trainees to keep a low profile and quickly leave with the staff.

They were received separately by staff from Taishan Airlines and then reported to northern Myanmar.

-

Taishan Research Institute, Northern Myanmar Base.

Fang Wen was writing at his desk in his office at the research institute when there was a knock on the door.

"what's up?"

Gong Xiuneng's voice came from outside the door. "We have visitors in Yangon: a military procurement delegation from the Guangxi Army, and people from Longyuan Trading Company."

Fang Wen stopped writing.

When they passed through Nanning before, the Guangxi Army proposed to request gunboats and aircraft, which Fang Wen agreed to. Subsequently, the other party expressed their desire to send someone to negotiate the arms purchase through the pilot of the Taishan seaplane, which transited through Nanning. Fang Wen also agreed to this.

It's normal for him to come now.

It was a bit of a coincidence that they arrived at the same time as the second batch of flight cadets. He left his office and went to the telegraph room next door, where he had the telegraph operator send a message: "Telegraph Yangon to make arrangements for the accommodation and living conditions of the second batch of flight cadets. I will be back in two days to preside over the opening ceremony. Also, arrange for a plane to send the Guangxi military procurement delegation to northern Myanmar."

Shortly after the telegram was sent, a seaplane took off from Yangon and flew to northern Myanmar.

Two and a half hours later, the seaplane landed on the central artificial lake at the base in northern Myanmar.

As the plane landed, a six-member delegation from the Guangxi Army disembarked from the seaplane. Leading the group was a middle-aged officer wearing the rank of major general, with a resolute face and sharp eyes. Several officers followed behind him, one of whom, a young man, was carrying a heavy leather suitcase.

Fang Wen stepped forward and extended his hand: "Welcome everyone to the base in northern Myanmar."

The major general grasped Fang Wen's hand, his voice steady: "Commander Fang, I have long admired your name. I am Huang Ming, Chief of Staff of the 7th Army of the Guangxi Army. I have come here on the orders of Commander Li to discuss military procurement matters."

Fang Wen nodded: "Chief of Staff Huang, you're too kind. Please come with me."

The group walked along the stone path beside the artificial lake into the base.

Huang Zhiming walked around, looking at his surroundings with surprise. The scale of the base in northern Myanmar far exceeded his expectations—neat hangars, wide runways, busy staff everywhere, and even two new fighter jets undergoing test flights. He couldn't help but ask, "Commander Fang, did you manufacture all these aircraft yourselves?"

Fang Wen smiled slightly: "Most of them are, some are improved models."

A hint of eagerness flashed in Huang Zhiming's eyes: "If our Guangxi Army can be equipped with such fighter jets, it will definitely be able to play a greater role on the South China battlefield."

Fang Wen did not respond. The Taishan fighter jet was in very high demand and could not be sold to the Guangxi clique.

He then led his group into the conference room in the base's office area.

Tea and materials had already been prepared in the meeting room. Fang Wen gestured for everyone to take their seats and got straight to the point: "Chief of Staff Huang, last time in Nanning, your army expressed a desire to purchase gunboat aircraft. May I ask what your specific needs are this time?"

Huang Zhiming took the briefcase from the staff officer, opened it, and took out a document: "This is our draft procurement list, which includes gunship aircraft, supporting ammunition, and everything related to subsequent maintenance. We hope that after the aircraft are purchased, they can achieve combat capability as soon as possible and be repaired locally. We also want to ensure the supply of spare parts needed for aircraft maintenance."

Fang Wen nodded: "You mean you need Taishan to provide gunboats, personnel training, and a full range of maintenance services?"

"Yes, yes. That's it."

Fang Wen took the document and quickly glanced through it. Gui Jun had thought things through thoroughly; he had done his homework.

He said, "I can sell you gunship aircraft and their accompanying weapons and ammunition, and I can also arrange pilot training. However, at present, I can only sell you four gunship aircraft."

The reason why only four aircraft could be sold to the Guangxi Army was mainly because with the enrollment of the second batch of Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army flight cadets, more gunboats had to be reserved for them.

Staff Officer Huang said there was no problem.

However, they requested a visit to the aircraft manufacturing plant.

Fang Wen looked at Lin Yifei: "Director Lin, you will be in charge of introducing the rest of the tour to them."

Lin Yifei stood up: "Please follow me, everyone."

The Gui Army members got up and headed to the No. 2 Aircraft Manufacturing Plant.

Aircraft Plant No. 2 is a military factory, but not all areas are kept secret.

The factory is divided into two parts. The Taishan high-speed fighter jet assembly plant is classified as confidential, so Lin Yifei would not bring anyone to visit it.

The main site visited was another factory area, the gunboat aircraft conversion plant.

There, workers were busy with a Shuiyun-1 type civil aviation seaplane, disassembling the outer shell, installing bulletproof shields, and cutting firing and aiming adjustment positions on the shields, while the aircraft's interior was also being modified to accommodate weapon positions.

Staff Officer Huang exclaimed in surprise, "I've flown on these planes before. Aren't they your company's seaplanes and civilian aircraft?"

"Yes, those are the ones. But the company has long been planning for the militarization of civilian aircraft. Gunships are the finished products based on the militarization of civilian aircraft."

As he spoke, Lin Yifei walked to the side of the plane and forcefully slapped the 5-centimeter-thick bulletproof steel plate.

"This layer of protection has been tested in actual combat many times and can defend against the Japanese Type 38 rifle and 7.7 mm machine gun. On the Chinese battlefield, the only threats to gunships and aircraft are anti-aircraft guns and fighter planes. Guangxi has many mountains and rivers, which is not conducive to the march of Japanese mechanized troops, but our gunships and aircraft can land and take off on the water and flexibly support operations in various mountainous areas, thereby effectively enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Guangxi Army and offsetting the gap in military equipment with the Japanese Army."

Lin Yifei's words made the eyes of those Guangxi officers light up.

If this is true, then it's perfect!

Then, they arrived at the weapons simulation laboratory.

An empty gunship aircraft served as a simulated firing platform, housing a 12.7mm aircraft machine gun and a 20mm cannon.

Lin Yifei led them onto the simulated shooting platform and taught them step by step how to adjust the shooting angle and left and right directions to achieve aerial shooting.

Following Lin Yifei's instructions, the officers adjusted their firing positions and fired at the distant targets.

With the tremor of the gunshot, a large amount of ammunition poured out, instantly hitting the distant target.

The officers were excited and their emotions were running high. They could imagine how intimidating such powerful firepower would be, especially when combined with continuous aerial fire from aircraft.

After experiencing simulated aerial shooting, they left the No. 2 aircraft manufacturing plant and headed to the next visitor area.

That was also prepared for them, a practical demonstration.

At the central artificial lake, six officers boarded a gunboat and took off.

The gunboat was equipped with a pilot, a communications officer, a gunner, an ammunition handler, and 10 paratroopers.

Their target was a building by the lake.

First, paratroopers were airdropped and encountered the hypothetical enemy.

Subsequently, air support provided suppression, and 10 paratroopers stormed the building with the help of heavy firepower, eliminating the enemy's manpower.

Although the exercise was relatively simple, it clearly demonstrated the combat style of gunship-aircraft carriers, allowing officers to experience in more detail the military appeal of this new type of combat.

After a two-day stay in northern Myanmar, the Guangxi procurement delegation signed a military purchase contract and left the base satisfied.

Not long after they left, Fang Wen also flew a seaplane back to Yangon to attend the opening ceremony of the second batch of flight cadets.

(End of this chapter)