Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 289, Section 288: Escort Squadron Intercepts Type 97 Reconnaissance Aircraft; Design of the Suiyun II Aircraft.

In early November 1937.

Thanks to the presence of the Taishan Air Escort Team, no Japanese aircraft were seen over Tianjin for ten days.

But things were not peaceful in the city.

A few days ago, a group of people robbed a warehouse of the Tianjin Customs, which caused a great uproar, and the British, unusually, lodged a protest with the Japanese.

Clearly, although the British did not specify the details, they had already demonstrated through their actions that it was the Japanese who did it.

A local Tianjin newspaper published an article that directly pointed out that the robbery was carried out by Japanese and Korean ronin instigated by the Japanese.

However, given Japan's growing power, the British, who had been operating the customs service since the late Qing Dynasty, could only express their anger through diplomatic rhetoric this time.

In the North today, assets from various countries are being withdrawn, and even the British are preparing to take their remaining troops with them.

Everyone had a feeling that a storm was brewing.

It was during this period that the emperor of the puppet state of Manchukuo in Northeast China announced the "Law on Succession to the Imperial Throne".

Before the news even spread, Fang Wen, who had excellent access to information, found out about it first.

Jinan Airport.

Fang Wen personally oversaw the operation, awaiting any potential emergencies. The Japanese aircraft would certainly not give in so easily, and encounters between the Taishan Air Escort Team and the Japanese aircraft could occur at any moment.

In his spare time, he would read intelligence reports sent from Shanghai.

Today I read about the detailed content of the Manchukuo Imperial Succession Law.

The Imperial Succession Law clearly stipulates that the throne shall be passed down from father to son, or from elder brother to younger brother.

In other words, after Emperor Pu's death, the throne would be inherited by his son, or if he had no son, by his younger brother or his younger brother's son. The specific person to be chosen would be selected by the Japanese Emperor, and Pu could only accept the result and could not object.

Isn't it obvious? The Japanese just want the title of the former Qing dynasty. Once they produce a prince with Japanese blood, things will probably be in grave danger.

Fang Wen was lost in thought.

The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty was truly like a lamb entering a tiger's den. If he had taken a Japanese woman and had a child with Japanese blood, he would have been in grave danger.

Even if he understood the dangers involved, his younger brother was easier to control. It is said that his brother's Japanese wife became pregnant, which led to the creation of the Imperial Succession Law.

Step by step, the Japanese invaders showed no goodwill towards the Chinese people, only a desire to exterminate them.

After putting down the intelligence, Fang Wen got up and walked to hangar number A2.

The seaplane that crashed on the Haihe River is parked there.

Because of damage to its right wing, the aircraft managed to fly back to Jinan and is now undergoing more thorough repairs.

Fang Wen came here to talk to the mechanics at the aircraft manufacturing plant.

“Did you find the problem?”

"The main problem is the structure of the wings; it's very difficult to maintain balance in the event of a stall," the mechanic replied.

An accident brought to light the design problems of the Shuiyun-1 aircraft.

The initial design concept for the Shuiyun-1 was simplicity and practicality, aiming to accelerate the adoption of aircraft in the domestic market through low speed and ease of operation.

However, this design does not take into account balance. In the event of an emergency, the aircraft may stall during sharp changes of direction or ascents and descents.

Fang Wen couldn't help but consider whether to design a next-generation seaplane version with better balance.

This is also for the sake of gunship aircraft. Future low-altitude air combat will also require a certain amount of maneuverability. Low-speed aircraft cannot simply be simple and practical.

How should we design a new seaplane model?
Fang Wen was deep in thought. Inspiration doesn't come easily; at least for now, he had no clue.

Suddenly, sirens blared from the airport, the piercing sound indicating that the patrol aircraft had encountered an emergency.

Fang Wen immediately ran out and shouted, "First patrol team, take off to assist! Qi Baoqian, get ready!"

The Taishan Air Escort Team consisted of four patrol squadrons. Fang Wen was in the first patrol squadron, and Red Army pilot Qi Baoqian was his wingman.

The two quickly ran to the parking area and boarded their respective fighter jets.

Fang Wen piloted the Shrike first onto the runway and took off quickly, followed by Qi Baoqian's Il-16.

The two planes flew directly to the Haihe River cruise area in the northeast, a distance of about 260 kilometers, and arrived in 40 minutes.

During the flight, Fang Wen kept a close eye on the cipher machine. As long as no higher-level alarm was triggered, it meant that the situation had not yet reached the point of combat.

However, judging from the information received in the coded telegram, things didn't look too good.

The Japanese side sent four aircraft this time; two patrol planes alone cannot stop them.

Following the established strategy of one aircraft monitoring another, at least two aircraft bypassed the interception.

Fang Wen's heart sank. They were now in North China airspace, and everyone below was watching. The Taishan Air Escort Team could not afford to lose its first encounter.

North of Tianjin, over the Haihe River basin.

Zhai Xiaojun and Shao Deqing's third patrol squadron encountered Japanese warplanes.

Overseas Chinese pilot Zhai Xiaojun and Red Army pilot Shao Deqing faced four Japanese warplanes and were outnumbered, yet they showed no fear.

As per the pre-arranged plan, each of them kept an eye on one aircraft, using the capabilities of the Il-16 to closely follow it.

This was a rehearsal for an aerial dogfight; neither side fired, they simply chased and bit each other's tails.

This is a highly technical aerial dogfight; if the opponent manages to get behind you, you could be shot down.

People on the ground below, in Tianjin, also witnessed this scene.

People took to the streets, looking up and discussing the scene.

"Why are you just chasing me around without firing a shot?"

"We can't open fire. Officially, it's a ceasefire period, but once we start firing, it will be considered war."

"Yes, the Japanese planes just fly over to show off and drop some paper scraps. Taishan Airlines can only provide escort over the Haihe River basin. There won't be a real fight, but the aerial contest will determine who is better."

How do we determine who is better?

"I think the Japanese planes have been stopped, so Taishan Air Force has won."

"But they only have two planes, how can we stop them?"

"Look to the south, two more planes are coming. Now it's four against four, this is going to be interesting."

People turned their heads, and two more planes flew in from the south.

They immediately stopped two Japanese warplanes that were preparing to fly south.

Fang Wen arrived just in time and encountered two Japanese warplanes attempting to harass the interior of North China over Tianjin.

This was a new type of aircraft that he had never seen before.

(Type 97 reconnaissance aircraft)
In an instant, Fang Wen found the same item in the intelligence data he remembered.

This is the Ki-15, also known as the Type 97 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft, which was requested to be developed by the Japanese Army Command two years ago.

At that time, the Japanese Army instructed Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop a high-speed penetration target photographic reconnaissance aircraft for the theater of operations. The requirements were that the aircraft should have a normal flight altitude of 2 to 4 meters, a combat radius of more than 400 kilometers, and a maximum speed of more than 450 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 3 meters.

This was also the Japanese military's new generation of monoplane fighter models.

Its weaponry consisted of only a 7.7mm machine gun, classifying it as a reconnaissance aircraft with limited combat capabilities.

Clearly, the Japanese side intended to use the speed and agility of the Type 97 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft to bypass the obstruction of the Taishan Air Escort Team and complete this harassment operation over North China.

Fang Wen sent instructions to his wingman, each keeping a close watch on one of the enemy aircraft. He easily piloted the Shrike parallel to the enemy plane; at such a close distance, he could clearly see the situation inside the cockpit of the opposing aircraft.

The enemy plane's cockpit was divided into front and rear sections, and the two Japanese pilots looked tense.

Fang Wen made a gesture to stop the other party from passing, demanding that they return to their base.

The enemy planes did not agree to this and instead tried to force their way through.

Fang Wen could easily shoot down this light reconnaissance aircraft, but the problem is that he cannot fire. In the current situation, if he does fire, he will become the sinner.

The only way to stop the opponent is through aerial dogfighting.

Therefore, he immediately turned his aircraft around and pressed his opponent again.

After a while, no matter how the enemy planes tried, they couldn't get rid of Fang Wen's obstruction.

If they had actually opened fire, it would have been shot down long ago.

Perhaps realizing that its skills were inferior and that continuing to try would only lead to embarrassment, the enemy plane chose to return first.

As it returned to base, Fang Wen joined his wingman in the interception, resulting in a two-on-one situation with several close encounters that left the opponent unable to continue the fight and forced to return to base like his teammate.

Seeing this, the other two enemy planes did not continue to fight, and in the end all the attacking enemy planes were defeated in the dogfight and left the airspace over North China.

The people on the ground who witnessed this scene were extremely excited and spread the news far and wide.

Although no shots were fired, the Taishan Air Escort Team demonstrated its superb capabilities.

The interception over the Haihe River ended, and the four cruise fighter jets returned to base.

After the plane landed at Jinan Airport, the airport remained calm as news had not yet reached them.

Fang Wen disembarked and held a post-battle debriefing with the three pilots.

"Everyone performed well on this flight, showing courage and meticulousness, and demonstrating excellent skills. They deserve praise."

The three pilots smiled; praise from Fang Wen was the most precious thing.

But after the praise, they did not become arrogant; instead, they went back to write their own action summary reports.

This is Fang Wen's requirement for them: after each operation, they must learn to summarize and constantly remind themselves to maintain sufficient vigilance in order to have a strong fighting spirit.

After all, in real air combat, victory or defeat can be decided in an instant. Skill and courage account for 70%, and luck accounts for 30%. Any pride or relaxation can lead to death.

But all of this is just the basic operation of the Taishan escort team.

Compared to the Spanish Air War, this interception was merely a minor incident and hardly significant.

However, for outsiders, this interception resulted in a significant boost to Taishan Airlines' reputation.

Within a few days, several newspapers published reports about the Haihe River being blocked.

Among them, Ta Kung Pao and Yik Shih Pao had the greatest influence.

The articles published in the Yishi Daily were not only circulated in Tianjin, but also spread to Beiping and Jinan. Some employees even brought the newspaper back to the airport for everyone to read.

Fang Wen also read this report.

"On March 6th, 1947, an auspicious day for travel, the elite escort fleet of Taishan Aviation soared over the Haihe River area, carrying out routine patrol missions. Unexpectedly, Japanese warplanes crossed the border, intending to invade the heart of North China and disrupt the peace and tranquility of the people."

Although the Taishan Escort Team is engaged in commercial escort operations, it takes national security as its responsibility and cannot allow foreign enemies to invade our territory.

My escorting heroes, seeing this, were filled with righteous indignation and vowed to defend our airspace and not let the treacherous planes cross even a step. So they bravely took off and maneuvered their planes in the sky, outwitting and outmaneuvering the Japanese planes, fully demonstrating the bravery and fearlessness of the Chinese people.

The engagement, though without actual firearms, was extremely dangerous, with the two aircraft nearly colliding at one point. Ultimately, the Japanese aircraft, outmatched in skill and unable to match the superb technique and tenacious fighting spirit of our escorting pilots, lost heart and was forced to abandon its harassment plan, slinking back to its own territory, failing to achieve its malicious act of invading our airspace.

This interception truly demonstrates the spirit of our nation and is a heroic act that makes the Chinese people proud. The Taishan Air Escort Team, with their unwavering loyalty and courage, protects our land. Their actions and virtues inspire us to never forget national humiliation and to strive for self-improvement!

Subsequently, the Taishan escort team's interception of Japanese aircraft in the air continued to escalate.

Representatives from various parts of North China came to Jinan Airport to deliver local specialties, gifts, and congratulatory messages.

This interception, though conducted without actual combat, proved highly effective and greatly inspired the people of North China.

However, the Taishan escort fleet could only hold the Haihe River basin and block the nearest incursion route, but could not stop the Japanese enemy aircraft from attacking from other positions.

The situation has even become more tense.

The wheels of history keep turning, and an aerial interception cannot change anything.

The second batch of more than 1900 Japanese troops arrived in Beijing and Tianjin for a "troop rotation," and the British prepared to begin their withdrawal.

Intelligence from Yoshida in Tokyo indicates that 60 warships from the Japanese Combined Fleet will sail to Qingdao for exercises at the end of the month.

This was in preparation for an invasion of North China.

The Nationalist government finally publicly commended the resistance efforts in Suiyuan.

However, cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party was not put on the table, and local civil wars continued.

The initial show of unity and solidarity in the fight against the war ultimately failed to materialize immediately.

Faced with this situation, Fang Wen understood that he would be facing an arduous path of resistance against Japan.

All he could do was to do his best with everything he could to prepare for the impending war.

In particular, in the design and manufacture of the Shuiyun II aircraft.

How should the Suiyun II aircraft with better balance be designed?
Fang Wen has not been able to find this breakthrough.

He didn't get the inspiration until he returned to Wuhan and had dinner with his wife.

end of June.

At home in Wuhan, Fang Wen, who had just returned from Jinan, was eating dinner prepared by his wife.

As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Living in Wuhan, I switched from Shanghai cuisine to local food.

Kuang Mingzhu said with a smile:
“I ordered this from Shengji Lane; they’re supposedly the best local dishes. You should try it.”

Fang Wen tasted each one, listening to his wife's descriptions as he ate.

Shengji Lane is located near Hanzheng Street; it's a great place to eat.

The fish at Daxingyuan Restaurant is cooked by Chef Liu, the "King of Gudgeon," and is of excellent taste.

Zhang Hanji Beef Restaurant is also famous for its beef, which can be made from beef heart, liver, tripe, and tendons.

Other restaurants also have very distinctive dishes.

Fang Wen stopped eating after finishing one bowl of rice.

His wife asked in surprise, "Why have you only eaten so little? Do you have a poor appetite, or are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm preoccupied and don't really feel like eating," Fang Wen replied.

His wife inquired with concern, and when she learned it was about aircraft design, she casually recounted the incident.

"Isn't this airplane model inspired by how birds fly? The airplane's wings are just like a bird's wings. Why don't you go take a look at some birds?"

He does not mean that.

Fang Wen thought this made sense, so the next day he found a place with many birds and watched them fly again.

This took several days to complete.

Having conducted in-depth research on aircraft design, he observed birds flying for many days and calmly reflected on his own feelings when piloting an aircraft using mechanical perception. Combining these two insights, he discovered the inspiration for designing the Shuiyun II aircraft.

(End of this chapter)