Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 586 Inertial Mechanical Autonomous Navigation (Imitation of Militia), Jingdezhen Ceramic Expert
With access to Cohen and German large rocket technology data, Taishan Military Industry conducted research on high-end rockets.

Of course, such large-scale projects cannot be started directly; the theory must be thoroughly understood first.

Therefore, Jiang Wenjin led the rocket project research team to quickly master the technology in the materials.

During this process, Taishan's military rockets were also improved with breakthroughs in research.

In the early morning of June 17, 1939, the rocket assembly workshop in northern Burma was brightly lit.

Fang Wenzheng bent down and fiddled with the tail fin fixing device of the 132mm rocket. The mechanical senses clearly fed back the newly installed swing nozzle and some errors in the design drawings, and he made adjustments accordingly.

This is a major technological improvement to the "Taishan Storm" rocket. If successful, it will significantly increase the rocket's hit rate.

Of course, this technology is not the kind of computer chip-based manipulation of the future, but rather a mechanical adaptive improvement that conforms to current technological conditions.

Its principle is achieved through the linkage between the missile's internal inertial guidance system and servo mechanism, thereby deeply integrating flight attitude control with engine thrust vector adjustment to achieve adaptive navigation adjustment.

Therefore, the oscillating nozzle is not a single device, but a complete system.

The oscillating nozzle is connected to and controlled by a mechanical gyroscope and an accelerometer. These two devices monitor the missile's flight attitude and acceleration in real time and adjust and control the oscillating nozzle according to preset conditions.

Now that the equipment is assembled, it's time to test its performance.

Fang Wen called for someone to load the hollow rocket without a warhead onto a vehicle and take it to the test site.

Upon arrival at the test site, staff unloaded the 132mm hollow rocket from the vehicle and secured it to a steel launcher.

Fang Wen walked to the launch pad, did a final check on the tail-end swing nozzle system, and after confirming that there were no problems, he had someone step back and then pulled the pull rope sharply.

The relay in the control box clicked shut.

Instantly, the solid fuel propellant at the tail of the rocket was ignited by the spark plug, and the orange-red tail flame broke through the morning mist, shooting towards the ground with a sharp whistling sound, stirring up a heat wave mixed with mud and sand.

The rocket was launched, but suddenly veered off course in mid-air and crashed into the ground.

The test failed.

Fang Wen and his staff quickly got into the car and drove over to check.

In the distance, at the site where the rocket crashed, because it had no warhead, the rocket simply broke into two pieces, with the rear end completely black.

Fang Wen used a stick to poke at the damaged tail fins of the rocket. Based on his knowledge of rockets, he had already identified the problem that caused the test failure.

The problem lies with the high-temperature resistant material of the oscillating nozzle.

The improved propellant generates stronger thrust and higher temperatures, which prevents the adaptive adjustment of the oscillating nozzle from functioning properly, causing the rocket to go out of control.

Therefore, if we want to manufacture missiles like the US Minuteman and the Soviet R-7 from the 50s, we must solve the problem of high-temperature materials.

Ceramics originated in China. Now that we have a formula for high-temperature resistant ceramic coating materials, can we find a way to solve this problem ourselves?
With this idea in mind, Fang Wen went back and found Huo Duanyang and members of the chemical research group at the research institute.

These people are veterans and heroes of the Taishan Chemical System, who have solved many technical problems in chemical plants and military explosives. I wonder if they can continue to break through the problem of high-temperature materials this time.

After two days of research, the chemical engineering team reported the situation to Fang Wen.

In the conference room on the third floor of the Taishan Research Institute at the Myanmar Northern Base, Fang Wen chaired the meeting, with others sitting around.

On the table was the tail nozzle assembly that had just been removed from the crashed rocket; the inner wall of its cut surface was severely burned.

Fang Wen took a piece of nozzle fragment and held it in his hand: "After the propellant was improved, the exhaust temperature stabilized at around 1800℃. The previous chrome-plated coating couldn't last more than 3 seconds, and the connecting rod of the swing nozzle even got stuck due to high temperature deformation. Ordinary materials have proven to be unfeasible, so now there are only two paths to take: using tungsten alloy or ceramic coating. But we don't have a tungsten alloy formula, but we do have a ceramic coating formula sheet from Germany, so we have no choice but to take this only shortcut. Duan Yang, your chemistry group has been studying ceramic coating for 2 days, so what exactly is the problem?"

Huo Duanyang was not only the head of the ammunition factory, but also the leader of the chemical research group. He took the fragment and examined it under the light before sighing: "We have studied the formula, but we encountered problems with the firing and adhesion. We mixed alumina and silicon carbide according to the proportions in the data, but it cracked when fired in the kiln at 1600℃. Even if we managed to fire it into shape, it would peel off from the metal substrate when it was applied to the inner wall of the nozzle at high temperatures—just like a piece of porcelain stuck to an iron pot, it falls off when the fire gets too strong."

Sitting next to Huo Duanyang, the young researcher Xiao Li suddenly gripped his pen tightly, his voice hesitant: "President Fang, I... I just remembered something. My hometown is Shangrao, Jiangxi, only a few dozen miles from Jingdezhen. When I was a child, I went with my grandfather to the porcelain kilns in town—those craftsmen could fire porcelain bowls as thin as paper, and they could even apply glaze to ironware. The 'iron-bone china' they made wouldn't crack even if you put it in a wood-fired stove for a whole day. How about... we find some ceramic craftsmen from Jingdezhen to try?"

Fang Wen nodded: "How about this, you guys continue your research, and I'll try to find an expert in ceramics from Jiangxi."

The brief meeting ended there, and Fang Wen went to the base's telegraph room to send a telegram to the New Fourth Army requesting assistance.

A few hours later, a reply came. Fang Wen read the telegram and immediately set off to fly to Junshan Lake.

The Junshan Lake Anti-Japanese Base Area behind enemy lines was established after the fall of Nanchang by some combat personnel from the New Fourth Army's air regiment and Poyang Lake detachment.

Although it was only recently established, it gained a foothold in the lake area by relying on the highly mobile combat method of "radar detection of enemy aircraft - gunboats and aircraft cooperating with ground troops in combat" and repelled the invading Japanese army many times.

It became another thorn planted behind enemy lines.

Shao Sishen, who served as the special military advisor to the flight regiment, also underwent a transformation during this period, becoming a very important training instructor and air-to-ground combat technical staff officer for the flight regiment.

On this day, as usual, he organized the gunboat squadron for training, but received an order from the regimental headquarters to go back to a meeting.

Shao Sishen suspended training and went to the regimental headquarters. Regimental Commander Li explained the situation: "The military headquarters called and said that Mr. Fang will be coming here, and the flight regiment will cooperate with him."

Shao Sishen was excited. He had a fulfilling time in the military and had developed a stronger sense of identification with the Communist army.

But he had many things on his mind that he had nowhere to confide in. The general manager came over, so it was a good opportunity to have a good chat with him.

Just then, an officer came in from outside: "The plane is here."

Shao Sishen and Regiment Commander Li hurriedly went out to check.

A rather unusual gunship aircraft hovered in the air.

After communicating via radio, it landed on the water.

After a while, the plane landed, and Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng got off the plane.

Commander Li warmly came over to greet him, and Fang Wen smiled and chatted with him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Fang Wen explained the situation with a serious expression: "I want to find some experts in ceramics, so I'm asking your military for help. The people have been found, but in Jingdezhen, although it hasn't fallen, we can't get them out there. We need to carry out an air transfer operation."

Regiment Commander Li immediately unfolded a military map: "Jingdezhen is east of Poyang Lake, 100 kilometers away from here. Do you need our air regiment to move in together?"

Fang Wen shook his head: "There are people in Jingdezhen who can meet us, and we have established contact with two experts. Besides, that area is under Kuomintang control, so it would be bad if too many planes flew there."

Commander Li was a little disappointed, but then they started talking about the new gunboat that Fang Wen had brought.

Not only was Commander Li interested in this new combat method, which included the addition of air-to-ground rocket launchers, but Shao Sishen and other officers also wanted to know more.

Then, Fang Wen gave them a more detailed explanation.

"This new weapon has the capability of instantaneous area strike. It can launch 10-20 air-to-ground rockets at a target area at once. These rockets use delayed fuses and will explode in the air after reaching the range, covering a considerable area. The scattered shrapnel and shock waves will cause indiscriminate damage to enemy aircraft in the area."

The officers present and Shao Sishen listened with wide eyes.

They certainly understood what Fang Wen was saying.

The strafing attack of aircraft machine guns and 20mm cannons is equivalent to a linear attack, with the area of ​​impact being along a line.

The area strike range of air-to-ground rockets significantly reduces the impact of hit probability; only the firing direction and range need to be considered.

Comparatively speaking, this truly elevates the power of air combat to a new level. Regiment Commander Li asked eagerly, "When can these new gunship aircraft be deployed to the troops? No, we don't need the new gunship aircraft; simply modifying our existing ones will suffice."

"There are some technical issues that need to be resolved, and that's why I went to Jingdezhen this time," Fang Wen replied.

After the conversation, Fang Wen and the flight crew went to the regimental headquarters to wait for news from Jingdezhen.

While waiting, Fang Wen spoke privately with Shao Sishen.

"How have you been during this time?"

"It's wonderful, like being reborn."

Is there any problem with your injury?

"No, I'm no different from a normal person now."

Shao Sishen deliberately moved his arms to show that he was fine.

Then, after hesitating for a moment, he said, "General Manager, I apologize to you. Your judgment at the time was correct."

He was referring to Fang Wen's initiative to support the Red Army, at which time Shao Sicheng was one of the few opponents in Fang Wen's small group.

Although Shao Sichen ultimately followed Fang Wen's arrangement, it remained a small rift between the two.

But now, his apology shows that he has begun to genuinely accept Fang Wen's decision.

Fang Wen smiled and patted Shao Sichen on the shoulder, "They are a group of people with ideals. More importantly, they will stick to their ideals. You see, even now, these people haven't changed."

“Yes. And even more people have joined them,” Shao Sichen remarked.

Commander Li walked over at this moment, holding a telegram in his hand: "The military headquarters has sent a telegram. Everything is ready in Jingdezhen. The landing site is in Yaoli, northeast of the town. However, that area is frequently attacked by Japanese aircraft from the direction of Jiujiang. I was told to tell you to be careful during the operation."

Fang Wen nodded, told Gong Xiuneng to board the plane immediately, and covered the two rocket launchers with tarpaulins and sealed the firing ports on both sides.

The plane took off from Junshan Lake and flew northeast.

To avoid colliding with Japanese warplanes attacking Jingdezhen, Fang Wen activated his supernatural abilities and radar detection device during flight.

Through the reconnaissance, he gained an understanding of the aircraft in the nearby airspace.

Currently, the Japanese warplanes operating within Jiangxi Province are mainly taking off from Jiujiang and Nanchang.

However, the current flight paths of those aircraft are all pointing towards southeastern Hunan, which should be in coordination with the Japanese offensive.

As for the Jingdezhen direction, no aircraft feedback has been detected so far.

This does significantly improve flight safety.

Less than 20 minutes later, the plane arrived over Jingdezhen.

However, the target area is not in the city, but in Yaoli Ancient Town, which is further away.

This town is the birthplace of Jingdezhen porcelain. It was famous for its ceramic industry as early as the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Later, due to its mountainous location and inconvenient water transportation, the porcelain center gradually shifted to Jingdezhen, where transportation was more convenient.

But the ceramics industry remains the mainstay here.

The plane circled over the town, searching for the landing markers indicated by the person who was supposed to meet it.

After learning that the plane was not a Japanese warplane, the people in the town below came out to watch.

On the small river in the town, people on awning boats poured red dye into the water to guide airplanes in the air to land there.

Fang Wen also saw it.

After the small boat docked, he adjusted the position of the aircraft, lowered the altitude, landed on the red water, glided for a while, and stopped not far from the connecting bridge.

The plane then changed course and headed towards the riverbank.

On the riverbank, soldiers maintained order and separated the onlookers, after which a group of people walked over.

The cabin door opened, Gong Xiuneng set up the footplate, disembarked first, and took charge of security duties.

Fang Wen then disembarked and walked towards the group of people with a smile.

"Excuse me, who is Mr. Zhao, the owner of Xinyuan Trading Company?"

"That's me." One of them stepped forward and introduced the others.

It turns out that these people were the mayor of Yaoli Town and officers of the National Army stationed there.

The other party was very hospitable and insisted on treating Fang Wen to a proper meal, fulfilling their duty as a host.

It seemed that Fang Wen had no choice but to agree.

The group then went to the largest restaurant in town, where they were seated and served their food.

The town mayor took the lead and said, "I heard you came here to transport a batch of ceramics to Chongqing?"

This was obviously an excuse. Fang Wen feigned a bitter smile and said, "During the war, supplies were scarce, and many people left in a hurry without taking any fragile daily necessities. As a result, the price of ceramics has increased several times. It's fine for ordinary families, but it's unreasonable for the families of officers not to have access to good ceramics. That's why I was forced to come here."

"It'll be several times the price, right? Young man, you'll make a fortune after this flight." The others laughed and echoed Fang Wen.

During this time, there was laughter and cheerful conversation, showing no signs of wartime atmosphere.

While dealing with the situation, Fang Wen whispered to Boss Zhao.

"Where are the two ceramics experts?"

"Everything is ready; they will board the plane when the porcelain is loaded."

"What about their family members? Do they need to be taken along as well? I can make arrangements."

"Want to go together? I'll go ask."

Boss Zhao made an excuse to leave, while Fang Wen continued to deal with the situation at the dinner table.

Half an hour later, Boss Zhao returned, sat back down, and said in a low voice, "One family has a wife and children, the other family has four members, plus an old mother."

“Okay,” Fang Wen replied.

After a while, when they had eaten and drunk their fill and the banquet ended, Fang Wen and Boss Zhao began loading the goods.

Boxes of porcelain were loaded onto the plane, and a batch of goods were unloaded as payment. At the same time, seven people quietly entered the plane while it was being loaded and never came out again.

After completing the loading and unloading, Fang Wen clasped his hands in farewell and boarded the plane to take off for the return flight.

(End of this chapter)