Chapter Nineteen: The Sharp Sword Leaves Its Scabbard

  Reporting to the Chairman was an extremely arduous task, He Juncai did not return to the Floating Airbase that night, but instead was arranged by the attendants' room to stay in a villa near the Huangshan government office for one night, and returned the next morning.

  After receiving supplies and personnel from Base One in Bishan a week ago, the floating base has undergone a significant transformation. It is no longer a desolate place with only a few people, but rather a bustling hub of activity, with every area fully operational. This scene reminds He Junci of the original timeline, where the floating base would welcome large numbers of tourists every weekend. The cafeteria no longer only serves instant noodles and fast food, but has a dedicated chef providing authentic Sichuan cuisine 24 hours a day, which is a real treat for He Junci's taste buds. Additionally, the beautiful young female officers in the decoding room and air traffic control room have also caught He Junci's eye, giving him a glimpse of the allure of uniforms. He Junci is curious as to why the young men in the operations room, training department, and aviation research institute can remain so calm and composed, are they all part of some special group?!

  Among them, there was a person who had a special feeling about He Juncai, and that was the communication director of the air traffic control room, He Xin. The little girl was only 21 years old, and she looked exactly like He Juncai's girlfriend from another time and space when they said goodbye under the Wenhua Tower in Nanshan. After a week of contact, He Juncai even suspected that his future girlfriend had a blood relationship with this beauty in front of him, which made him feel strange in their interactions.

  He Juncai had just boarded the floating base, and his eyes were still tracking the "Lingying" everywhere. A person came over in a hurry to disturb Colonel He's "gazing" work.

  "Director He, we've found you. The modifications to the DK-2 aircraft and short-range defense system at the Floating Base have been completed. Please come to inspect!" said Equipment Department's Director Mei, wiping the sweat from his chubby face.

  "Oh! This is great news!" He Juncai said excitedly, as he had been worried about the defensive capabilities of the floating base for some time. The current floating base was like a child with a precious treasure, but without enough power to protect itself. By August, when the Japanese "Zero" fighter jets were put into use, the Chinese air force would not only face a massive bombing, but also the "Zero" nightmare, which far surpassed the performance of the existing fighter jets of the Chinese air force. It was worth noting that the United States had also been brutally defeated by the "Zero" in the early days of the Pacific War.

  "Let's go and take a look." He Juncai called out to Zheng Shaoyu, the squadron leader who was on duty in the command center, preparing to go together to inspect.

  "The DK-2 aircraft was modified into 32 units. The engine, fuel tank and cockpit were equipped with steel plate armor, four 12.7mm machine guns were installed on the head and wings, the position of the seat was adjusted to a single seat, and an additional fuel tank was added to the original rear seat position. After our evaluation, the flight speed dropped to around 550 km/h, and it is expected that without wing auxiliary fuel tanks, it can fly for about 2000 kilometers, but specific parameters need to be obtained through test flights." Director Mei introduced, he felt honored to have modified such an aircraft. During the modification process, he found that the workmanship of this batch of aircraft was extremely fine, with a high degree of standardization of various components, and the technology used was also currently unmatched, and he and his team benefited greatly from it.

  "In addition, we also renovated the short-range defense towers, a total of 40. Among them, 20 were converted to 37mm anti-aircraft guns, and the rest were converted to 20mm anti-aircraft guns. We all conducted manual test firings, but as for the automatic control you mentioned, Colonel He, we had no way to test it." Director Mei added.

  "Great, let's try it out right away." He Juncai returned to the control room of the core area and opened the automatic defense system. The central computer began to scan for threats through radar feedback, just as a group of birds flew by from the left side below. The central computer sounded an alarm, and He Juncai switched to manual mode and gave the order to fire. Suddenly, a burst of flames erupted from the defensive tower on one side of the floating base, and a string of cannonballs shot out, hitting the bird flock. By the time the smoke in the sky cleared, nothing was left of the birds. "Haha, great, now the floating base finally has a lifesaving trump card!"

  When He Juncai returned to the repair shop, Mei Chuzhang and Zheng Shaoyu were still in shock. The firepower and accuracy of the cluster firing just now were unprecedented experiences for them.

  "He Shangxiao, it seems this automatic control system is really good." Mei Shangxiao sighed.

  "Haha, it's not just that, this doesn't require manual calculation of lead time, it's automatically calculated under radar control. The accuracy is very high, unless the enemy plane makes a very large maneuver, it may fall empty. However, now still need to manually maintain and load the anti-aircraft gun, please ask Director Mei to inform the Air Defense Command." He Junci was very satisfied with the modification of the short-range defense system.

  "Director He, since Director Mei said that the new type of aircraft needs test flights to confirm its parameters, let me do the test flight work." Zheng Shaoyu said happily.

  "Haha, I know you're eager to fly the new plane, but now is clearly not the best time. Because the new plane's control method is very different from the i-16 you used to fly, and the instruments are also different. You should try the simulator first, and then I'll take you for a few laps in the trainer before it's okay. Don't worry, if you're willing, you can be the commander of the new squadron, so you can command these new planes. This test flight will still be done by me." He Juncai walked towards the plane with a skull and bones flag on its tail, marked B8.

  The automatic tractor towed the B8 aircraft to the starting point of the runway and refueled it with aviation fuel. With a "drip", the top cover on the right side of the floating base opened in both directions, forming a 400m x 50m platform. The cold air blowing from an altitude of 5,000 meters made everyone present shiver. As He Juncai pushed the throttle valve, the engine speed increased faster and faster, and the aircraft's forward taxiing speed also accelerated. With a pull on the control stick, the plane took off into the sky.

  "Ah, it seems that after the plane got heavier, the takeoff distance increased by 50 meters. The plane's agility is a bit worse than before. The maximum speed is around 550 kilometers per hour. Let me try firing." Mei Chuzhang connected the triggers of the four machine guns to the buttons on the control stick. He Juncai released the safety catch and pressed the trigger.

  "Rat-a-tat-tat!" The crisp sound of the machine gun accompanied by a slight vibration of the aircraft body, 4 strings of bullets intersecting at 400 meters away. For He Junci, this feeling is great. He used to dream of being a fighter pilot, but the strict selection requirements of later generations shattered his dreams. So he went to work on the floating airbase, hoping to experience more flying careers, and unexpectedly, in this time and space, he was able to truly drive a fighter plane.

  He Juncai flew various maneuvers while reporting the flight situation to the Air Command Center for recording. At this time, the Air Command Center passed on a message: "A Japanese 97-type command reconnaissance plane is approaching Chongqing." Since the 97-type command reconnaissance plane flies at high altitude and has a fast speed, it is currently difficult for Chinese air force fighter jets to intercept. In the past, in such situations, the floating air base would hide in the clouds, but not today. The DK-2's maximum ceiling can reach 10,000 meters, and its speed is faster than that of the 97-type command reconnaissance plane.

  "Great, it seems that today can still be a real battle test." He Juncai said with excitement. Although he had come to this time and space, he had already shot down two bombers in an unexpected way, but after all, they were not shot down with real weapons. He was eager to experience the thrill of shooting down Japanese military planes by hand.

  The DK-2 aircraft has a fundamental difference from today's fighter jets, its control and avionics systems are next-generation. The obvious difference is that it can receive image information transmitted by the base radar through the onboard display screen, as well as warning control information. From the information screen, He Juncai quickly found the location of the Japanese reconnaissance plane, pulled the control stick, increased the throttle valve, and climbed to a higher altitude towards the enemy aircraft. He rose to an altitude of 8,000 meters, putting on his oxygen mask. At this time, he discovered the Japanese Ki-49 reconnaissance plane flying at high altitude, taking pictures while flying away.

  He Juncai controlled the plane to quietly circle around the tail of the Japanese 97-style command reconnaissance aircraft, and with a press on the machine head, he rushed towards the enemy plane at an altitude of 6,000 meters. The telegrapher and machine gunner in the rear seat of the enemy plane first discovered the incoming plane, and he quickly dropped the camera equipment, opened the machine gun switch, and notified the pilot to escape quickly.

  "Rat-a-tat-tat!" The Japanese plane fired first, but its machine gun was clearly not a threat. He Juncai adjusted the angle of flight, causing the Japanese machine gun to miss. Then he pressed the fire button fiercely. Four flashes of light whipped across the body of the 97-style command reconnaissance aircraft, and the rear cabin and front cabin were almost simultaneously shattered. The two pilots died instantly, and the plane lost control, starting to plummet downwards.

  He Juncai continued to fire a string of long bursts until the Japanese reconnaissance plane's fuel tank caught fire and exploded, then pulled away. What a great feeling! "Report to headquarters, shot down one Japanese reconnaissance plane!" He Juncai happily reported the results.

  "Commander He, this is Zhou Zhi Rou, please return to the base immediately! Stop the test flight!" The Air Force Command Center issued a serious order. As soon as He Juncai heard that the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force had arrived, he quickly turned the aircraft around, lowered its altitude and flew towards the floating airbase.

  Reduced throttle, lowered flaps, and dropped landing gear. With a "whoosh", He Juncai perfectly landed the plane on the runway. When he returned to the air command center from the apron, he found that many senior Air Force officers were present. It turned out that Director Mei had informed Minister of Equipment Huang Guangrui, who in turn informed Zhou Zhiyong. Upon hearing that the new aircraft was modified, Zhou hastily brought a group of officials to visit. Just arriving here, they saw He Juncai's battle with the Japanese reconnaissance plane and were worried about losing him, so they quickly ordered He Juncai to return.

  "Colonel He, you are very important to the Chinese Air Force. There are many things here that only you understand, and your connection with Southeast Asia is also in your hands. If it's not necessary, please don't take any risks." Zhou Zhiyong said sternly. He knew that Colonel He in front of him was not as simple as a colonel, the president's confidant must not be compromised.

  "Alright." He Junci knew as soon as he heard this that it would be very difficult to freely participate in air battles from now on. However, with his amateur level, he could still deal with unarmed reconnaissance planes, but fighting fighter jets might get him shot down.

  Director Mei then briefed the leaders on the modification situation, and everyone was delighted to see that this batch of world-leading weapons could be equipped with the Chinese Air Force. Now the floating air base is a cactus full of thorns, whoever wants to touch it has to think twice.

  "What a pity that there are so few. Otherwise, our air force would have driven the Japanese invaders out immediately!" Commander Mao Bangchu sighed.

  "Hehe, don't worry, after our Equipment Department's overseas development plan is successful, we can manufacture this kind of aircraft ourselves. That will be the day when my Air Force takes revenge!" said Huang Guangrui from the Equipment Department. This week has been the most touching for him, and after seeing the advanced technology of the floating airbase, he is full of confidence in the future equipment of the Chinese Air Force.

  "Has there been a plan for naming the new plane?" asked Zhou Zhirou.

  "We have many plans for this, some people want to use a year number as the name, like the Japanese do, others want to use meaningful letters such as F/A. Colonel He thinks ' Jian-1' is a good name." Huang Guangrui replied.

  "Well, you choose a few names and I'll present them to the Chairman." Zhou Zhi Rou thought for a moment and decided to have the Chairman personally bestow a name.

  "What about these new planes, Colonel He?" asked Chief of Staff Hu Baixi.

  "Hehe, whatever Commander Zhou decides is final." He Juncai also had some political sensitivity, "However, considering that the floating base and these aircraft have a lot of cutting-edge technology at present. I suggest that the new aircraft take the floating base as their main base, and select elites from various fighter squadrons to form a new air force, with the primary mission of protecting the floating base."

  "Alright, I think this suggestion is good." Zhou Zhi Rou said, he also knew that the floating base was currently the Chinese Air Force's greatest reliance, and must strengthen the protection of the floating base. "Please arrange for the combat command department, General Mao to take charge. Equipment Department Director Huang, the recent supply and equipment of the floating base will be entrusted to you."

  "Yes!" Several officials stood up and replied.

  The ace squadron that would make China's enemies tremble with fear was formed, numbered as the 11th Squadron. Mao Bangchu selected 24 experienced pilots from the Air Force's 3rd, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons to join this squadron, including Zheng Songting and several other ace pilots. Zheng Shaoyu became the commander of the 11th Squadron as he had wished, while Wang Yuanbo took over as commander of the 4th Squadron.

  Commemorating the 66th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War!!!