Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 291: 290 Taishan Infantry Gun, traded with the Soviet Union, exchanging data on the Shuiyun-1 aircraft for data on the T-26 tank.
As the deadline drew closer, Fang Wen, who understood history, felt an increasing sense of urgency.

He traveled back and forth between Wuhan, Jinan, and Yangon, always busy with work.

Taishan Airlines needs to conduct war rehearsals. Once war breaks out, the northern routes that should be abandoned must be abandoned, and assets that can be taken away should be taken away, while those that cannot be taken away should be destroyed on the spot.

If these things aren't rehearsed in advance, ordinary employees who haven't experienced war will definitely be in complete chaos.

Therefore, Fang Wen required all domestic branches to conduct training that required passing an assessment.

The employees initially complained, but they all accepted it after the company-wide drill.

In addition to the civil aviation company's war evacuation rehearsal, the Taishan mercenary group also set off into the country.

This team, composed of both Chinese and foreigners, was incorporated into the Taishan Escort Team and was on standby at Xiangxi Airport. Every so often, a team would be sent to Jinan to rotate with the escort personnel stationed at the Jinan Yangtze River Water Airport.

In early April, Fang Wen went to Yangon.

Meanwhile, in Yangon, two weapons engineers recruited from Europe landed by plane.

These two men were from the Truvia Arsenal in northern Spain, which was within the territory of Franco's rebels. However, they resigned voluntarily because they were inclined to support the Popular Front.

Coincidentally, when the People's Front members were receiving the penicillin supplies in France, Taishan Airlines proposed to hire some experienced weapons engineers.

During the war, the Popular Front's own arsenal could not spare personnel to go to Asia. These two weapons engineers from Franco's sphere of influence were not being given important positions due to trust issues, so they were simply sent to Asia as a way of repaying Fang Wen's favor.

Fang Wen was quite pleased with this. In terms of weapons manufacturing, equipment could be purchased, but experience and technology were the shortcomings.

He warmly welcomed the two Spanish weapons engineers and had Kwong On Ming, who understood Spanish, act as their translator.

With Kuang Anming's assistance, the two visited the Taishan Weapons Factory.

Taishan Weapon Factory was formed by integrating the 7.92mm bullet factory and the 20mm autocannon factory.

After more than a year of production, the workers have gained enough experience to handle weapons production. Their skilled work has given the two Spanish weapons engineers a new appreciation for the intelligence and competence of the Chinese people.

I couldn't help but sigh, "They've only been doing this for a year, but they seem like they've been working for many years."

Clearly, their working conditions at the Truvia arsenal are very different from those here.

After a tour, Fang Wen led them through the production workshop of the Taishan Weapons Factory, and then they began to discuss the main topic.

His requirements were to develop infantry guns and light mobile armored vehicles.

The infantry gun uses the production technology of the German le. IG 18 75mm infantry gun.

The two weapons engineers carefully reviewed the documents and found them to be extremely detailed, including all component parameters and assembly structures, all of which were explained in detail.

In other words, as long as the corresponding parts are manufactured, the same Le. IG 18 75mm infantry gun can be made.

This compact gun has a rifled barrel and can fire conventional shells, high-explosive shells, and later-developed hollow-charge armor-piercing shells.

It employs a unique "hunter-style" breech mechanism, which lifts the end of the barrel by levers during loading, making the loading process simpler.

The recoil of the cannon is reduced by the long carriage under the barrel, so although the barrel is short, it is still quite powerful.

The gun barrel is equipped with a gun shield at the front. This gun shield is not for protecting the gunner, but for protecting the gun itself.

At the moment of firing, the gunner loads the propellant into the cartridge case and then into the shell.

The propellant consists of five separate charges, and the gunner can choose different combinations of charges according to the required range and angle.

Because of its simplicity, a skilled gunner can fire 8 to 10 shells per minute, which is a fast rate of fire and has a clear advantage when suppressing enemy positions.

I've read through all the materials.

One of the weapons engineers offered advice.

“General Manager Fang, this is a very good infantry gun design. If I had such complete design data at the Truvia Arms Factory, I could quickly build the same infantry gun. But here, you don’t have a steel mill to make precision casting parts.”

Fang Wen did not give up. He said confidently, "When we were making bullets, we didn't have suitable processing tools. We relied entirely on universal milling machines to make them by hand. Some parts can be made by ourselves. The cannon barrels and large castings that you are worried about can also be solved. Don't forget, I run an airline."

Yes, Fang Wen runs an airline, possessing the fastest efficiency and transportation speed of this era.

Not to mention that it also owns an ocean shipping company

While others might lack the steel mills in Asia to cast specialized parts, Fang Wen doesn't have to worry about that.

Currently, both of Europe's two largest steel companies, ThyssenKrupp and Krupp, can manufacture these precision castings.

Fang Wen has already contacted them and ordered castings for the cannon barrel and firing mechanism.

With this preparation, the mechanical engineer specializing in artillery became extremely excited.

He immediately set about building a prototype cannon.

Fang Wen asked Kuang Anming to accompany him to communicate with the engineers who had been assigned to jointly develop the infantry gun.

He then spoke with another weapons engineer from the Truvia Arms Factory.

"I heard you speak English. Can we communicate in English?"

"Sure," the other party replied.

"My idea is to build a lightweight, highly mobile armored vehicle, or a light tank, to assist infantry in combat. I heard you were involved in tank development at the Truvia Arms Factory, is that right?"

In response to Fang Wen's questions, the weapons engineer explained his work experience and the development process of tanks in the Spanish military industry.

Compared to Britain, France, and Germany, Spain, once a maritime power, had declined. Its military industry stagnated for a long time due to its defeat to France during the Peninsular War, and thus fell far behind.

In 1925, the Truvia Arms Factory received orders to develop tanks.

But this was very difficult for the Truvia Arms Factory, which had absolutely no experience in tank research and manufacturing.

At the time, their reference was the French Renault FT-17, an old tank from World War I.

Through trial and error, the Truvia Arms Factory developed its first prototype in 1928 and named it the Truvia-A4.

In the current Spanish Civil War, both the Popular Front and Franco's rebels have small numbers of Truvia-A4s involved in the fighting.

However, this tank, similar to the German Panzer I, is a tracked armored vehicle equipped with a machine gun.

It offers some protection against infantry, but lacks offensive capabilities.

Even its speed and agility are insufficient.

After listening to what the other party said, Fang Wen understood that he had some experience in tank development technology, but lacked innovation.

This pioneering spirit will be provided by Fang Wen.

He led the Spanish tank engineer to another factory.

There is a Bumblebee R1340 engine there, and the track drive has already been modified.

This 400-horsepower aircraft engine is powerful enough for light tanks and can even meet the power requirements of heavy tanks.

Upon seeing such a luxurious tank power system, the Spanish tank engineer was speechless with astonishment.

Too extravagant.

It's worth noting that the Truvia-A4 tank used in the Spanish Civil War and the German Panzer I tank both have less than 100 horsepower.

Even the more powerful T-26 only used a 130-horsepower engine. He felt that such an engine was too extravagant for a light tank.

In fact, these Hornet R1340 engines were Taishan Airlines' inventory. Because they had ordered a large number of Pratt & Whitney 800-horsepower Hornet R1830 engines, the 400-horsepower R1340 engines in good working order would not be needed for the time being.

Since they needed to develop tanks, and with the aim of not wasting resources, Fang Wen simply decided to equip his light tank with an aircraft engine.

However, based on the suggestions of Spanish tank engineers, using this type of engine in light tanks would be a waste; it could even be used in medium and heavy tanks with higher weight distribution, which would also be very effective.

Moreover, based on his experience, he judged that aircraft engines are much larger than ordinary internal combustion engines. If used in light tanks, the internal space would become cramped, and only larger tank models could accommodate aircraft engines.

Upon hearing this, Fang Wen also changed his original plan.

Heavy tanks are unnecessary, so let's change them to medium tanks.

The research and development and manufacturing of infantry guns and tanks began at the Thae Son Weapons Factory in Yangon.

Fang Wen also stayed here and participated.

The infantry gun is progressing smoothly, so there's not much to worry about.

The main focus is on tank manufacturing.

This is a completely new project, and a half-baked tank expert from Spain won't suffice.

Ideally, there should be corresponding design drawings and related materials.

Fang Wen favored the Soviet T-26 light tank, and its performance in the Battle of Cáceres was truly impressive.

To this end, he instructed the European branch to contact Soviet military personnel in Spain.

This isn't information you can obtain simply because you fought together.

After some discussion, they offered a condition.

The aircraft design drawings and related data of the Shuiyun-1 were exchanged on an equal footing.

This was something Fang Wen hadn't expected; the Soviet Union had actually taken a liking to the seaplane he was developing.

Clearly, the Shuiyun-1, a simple, practical, and rapidly popular watercraft, has its own value.

After some consideration, Fang Wen felt it was a good deal, as the value of the Shuiyun-1 matched that of the T-26, and thus agreed.

Once the details were finalized, both parties agreed to conduct the transaction in Shanghai.

In Shanghai, Chen Suoxin, the head of the Taishan secret intelligence station, dressed in plain clothes and went to the airport.

He revealed his identity and entered the airport to wait. After the flight landed that day, Fang Wen, who had personally piloted the plane, disembarked carrying a box containing data on the Shuiyun-1 model.

After the two met, Chen Suoxin said worriedly, "General Manager, it's dangerous for you to participate in the transaction. Why don't you let me do it?"

“This is something I have to do. They’ve sent an expert in aircraft who will ask some questions that you can’t answer,” Fang Wen replied.

Seeing the situation, Chen Suoxin said nothing more, but she was more determined to protect the general manager's safety.

The two then took the airport shuttle bus to the old town and got off. Two intelligence officers disguised themselves as rickshaw pullers and took the two to the French Concession.

Also in the French Concession, but this time the secret hideout is on Rue Colbert.

That is, the future new Yong'an Road.

The rickshaw arrived at Taikoo Wharf. Opposite the wharf was Kung Chi Hospital, and behind the hospital was a building that served as the secret outpost of the intelligence station.

The rickshaw stopped, and the two intelligence officers took the fare and thanked them with smiles on their faces. Then they stopped by the roadside, seemingly waiting for customers, but in reality, they were monitoring the surrounding situation.

Fang Wenze entered the secret hideout under the guidance of Chen Suoxin.

He then asked Chen Suoxin to buy the latest issue of the Jingbao newspaper.

This is a small Shanghai newspaper that reports all sorts of things, including many small advertisements.

Fang Wen mainly looked at the margins of the newspaper, where there were all sorts of commercial advertisements.

One of the advertisements caught his attention.

Fang Wen remembered that several key words mentioned by the Soviet side appeared in the text.

He selected specific characters from them according to certain rules and formed new meanings.

Contact method: Dial a specific number by phone.

Fang Wen picked up the hand-cranked landline phone, cranked the lever, and dialed a number using the receiver.

A voice came from the other end of the line: "Hello, Ferguson Trading Company."

Fang Wen uttered the coded message: "Katyusha is standing on the steep bank."

After a moment of silence, the other person replied, "My beloved is right beside me."

This coded rendezvous, which had no possibility of coincidence, confirmed the identities of both parties.

Fang Wen immediately explained his purpose: "I've brought the aircraft information. Are your supplies ready?"

"Ready. The deal is tonight, at [location]."

After a brief conversation, Fang Wen hung up the phone.

The other party also requested that the transaction take place in the French Concession, and on another street not far away.

He informed Chen Suoxin, who immediately sent people to prepare.

The intelligence station personnel, originally members of the Axe Gang, disguised themselves as ordinary people and quietly appeared around the transaction site to investigate the surrounding area.

It was confirmed that no abnormalities were found.

By 10 p.m., the streets were deserted except for the nightclubs.

Fang Wen drove a car to the transaction location.

There, another car drove up, and neither of them got out; the cars parked parallel to each other.

A voice came from the car opposite, asking about the Shuiyun-1 aircraft. The question was very professional, indicating that the Soviets had long been interested in the Shuiyun-1 aircraft.

After Fang Wen communicated with him, he confirmed his identity again. Then, two suitcases emerged from the car and were exchanged.

After the exchange was completed, the cars drove off and quietly disappeared into the night.

The transaction is complete; the data on the Soviet T-26 light tank has been obtained.

Fang Wen immediately took the whole box of documents and returned to Yangon.

Subsequently, he transferred thirty engineers from the aircraft manufacturing plant to tackle the research and development of Taishan's own tank project.

After these engineers crammed on their knowledge of tanks, Fang Wen showed them information about the T-26 tank.

With this information, they gained a better understanding of tanks.

While there are differences between producing airplanes and producing tanks, it is not impossible to work in different industries.

(End of this chapter)