Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 58, Negotiations at the Dinner Table, Boeing P-26b
Fang Wen strode towards the airport.

The scene he had just witnessed stirred up a flood of emotions within him.

There is always a generation gap between the future and the past.

Fang Wen, who lived in a peaceful era, was initially unable to understand the joys and sorrows of people in this era.

But over the course of more than a year, he came to understand.

This area was plagued by warlordism, political turmoil, and a huge gap between the rich and poor.

But these things did not break the backbone of the Chinese nation. Many people still worry about the country, and even businessmen who calculate profits and losses all day long can express their patriotism.

No one can colonize China.

Even without itself, China can still stand up and once again stand at the top of the world.

But since I'm here, I should do my best.

It was nothing more than an ace fighter jet capable of tearing apart the Japanese Air Force.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen suddenly stopped, turned around, and shouted loudly into the courtyard:

"Shunzi, pack me some good wine and food and take it to the airport guesthouse. I need to talk to Selmen."

"Alright, young master, you go ahead, I'll be right there."

"Remember, it must be a fine wine that can intoxicate you."

"Yes, young master, don't worry."

Fang Wen entered the airport and went directly to the second floor of the guesthouse, knocking on the door.

This time, a Boeing sales representative opened the door. His real name was not Selman, but Neil Toledo.

“Neil, thank you for the news. We just heard it on the radio. To celebrate the armistice, I’ve prepared some Eastern delicacies and wine.”

Neil Toledo smiled. He had heard a lot about the hospitality of the East, but because the Japanese army was still in Shanghai, he hadn't had a chance to see what it was like.

He then accepted Fang Wen's invitation and went downstairs to the cafeteria.

On the long table in the cafeteria, Shunzi, who arrived later, arranged the dishes from the food box one by one and then took out a ceramic bottle.

"Young master, this is Shuang Gou Daqu liquor, purchased as you requested."

Fang Wen opened the bottle and poured a glass for himself, Howard, and Neil Toledo.

"According to our Chinese custom, anyone who comes from afar is a guest. This first cup is to celebrate the ceasefire agreement."

Looking at the small wine glass in his hand, Neil Toledo nonchalantly downed it in one gulp.

The spicy taste made him involuntarily open his mouth, and his face turned a little red.

"Eat some food. We have to eat food before we drink here," Fang Wen explained with a smile.

Neil Toledo didn't know how to use chopsticks, so he took a small box from his pocket containing a spoon and a fork, and used the fork to pick up a piece of assorted meatballs.

The savory flavor of the meatballs masked the spiciness in my throat, making me feel much better.

Fang Wen then filled it up.

"This second glass is to celebrate the complete success of our cooperation."

Neal Toledo couldn't refuse, so he raised his glass and drank it.

Cough cough, quickly eat some vegetables to calm down.

"This third toast is a personal toast to you, Neil. You are the most generous American I have ever met."

After two drinks, Neil started to feel better and relaxed.

He downed the drink in one gulp and then became more talkative.

"Eastern liquors are as strong as whiskey, but I prefer your way of hospitality."

That's the atmosphere I wanted. Fang Wen smiled slightly, got up and sat down next to Neil.

Straight to the point.

"We're friends now, right?"

"um, yes."

What are your thoughts on the tung oil trade?

"Let me tell you, it's very valuable and in high demand."

“I know that 600 tons of tung oil can be exchanged for a luxury passenger plane, but I can get more tung oil.”

"Really?" A greedy glint appeared in Neil's eyes.

“Of course, the problem is that I don’t have any trustworthy business partners to ship them to the United States for sale,” Fang Wen said, throwing out an irresistible bait.

“I can,” Neil blurted out.

Fang Wen smiled and said, "What I want is not just dollars, but also airplanes." "You want to trade tung oil for more airplanes?" Neil sat up straight and adjusted his clothes. "Actually, I have another purpose for coming here this time. I want to take the ashes of my colleague back. He came to China to promote military aircraft, but he died here in battle."

"Really? Can you tell me?" Fang Wen poured Neil another glass.

While drinking, Neil recounted something that had happened not long ago.

More than a month ago, Fang Wen was carrying out a nighttime airdrop operation at Jianqiao Airport.

In front of Jianqiao Airport, there is also a temporary Suzhou Airport.

Some military aircraft also undertake reconnaissance missions there.

One of them was an aircraft salesman from Boeing who, as a civilian pilot, participated in reconnaissance operations in a Boeing fighter jet.

Unfortunately, because Suzhou Airport was the closest airport to Shanghai, it was discovered and bombed by the Japanese naval air force.

The Boeing salesman was a retired U.S. Army Air Corps pilot who took to the skies to fight directly. In a five-to-one situation, his plane was shot down by the Japanese.

In order to promote relations between the two countries, the Nationalist government designated him as a hero and promoted him to the United States.

Boeing, of course, wanted its employee to be a hero, and therefore specially sent Neil to bring his ashes home.

Fang Wen looked regretful after hearing Neil's words.

"He is indeed great. By the way, how are the Boeing fighter jets you sell?"

“It’s the best. Wait a minute.” Neil opened his small leather suitcase and took out some photos and promotional materials.

As an aircraft salesman, he carried these things with him wherever he went.

Fang Wen took the documents and looked through them.

The first one is the Boeing P-12, a biplane.

No matter how enticing the descriptions in the brochures may be, Fang Wen will not buy a biplane.

The second one, which has the most detailed information, is a monoplane.

The model number is M281.

It's a low-wing monoplane like the K-47 fighter jet of the Guangdong Air Force.

According to the introduction, it is the export version of the P-26 fighter jet.

However, judging from the information, it seems that a lot of castration was performed.

These export models are far inferior in performance to the originals; anyone who buys them is a fool.

Fang Wen threw the relevant documents on the table, indicating his disapproval of the document.

He looked at the others.

Among them is Boeing's latest P-26A fighter jet.

Those figures were far more impressive than any of the aircraft Fang Wen had ever flown before.

Maximum range: 1020 km
It is 1.5 times the size of a biplane.

Top speed: 377 km/h
If we had that speed, those 240 km/h Type 3 dwarfs would be easy prey during the Shanghai air battles.

Maximum service ceiling: 8350 meters

This altitude ceiling is something that the Japanese Type 3 fighter jets could not reach, which greatly expands the range of tactics that can be employed.

Unloaded weight: 996 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 1524 kg
Bomb load: 1 x 90 kg aerial bomb
Onboard weaponry: One Browning M1919 7.92mm machine gun on each side of the nose.
Fuselage length: 7.18 meters

Wingspan: 8.50 meters

Fuselage height: 3.04 meters

Crew members: 1 person

Fang Wen's eyes were glued to the promotional material.

"Can this plane be sold?" he couldn't help but ask.

Neil glanced at the documents in Fang Wen's hand. His expression hardened. "No, these are US military orders; we can't sell them to foreign companies."

Fang Wen looked at the others with a regretful expression.

There is another very similar fighter jet, the P-26B.

It was probably hopeless, Fang Wen asked instinctively.

What about this one?

"This testing machine has a problem and cannot be delivered, so we have stopped production."

"What's the problem?" Fang Wen suddenly realized that his opportunity had come. With his mechanical perception ability, he might be able to solve the problem with the aircraft. Then he could buy back the scrapped experimental aircraft and use it himself.

(End of this chapter)