Due to damage to the runway, the pilots were unable to conduct liftoff training. As a result, tactical simulation drills (that is, simulations with small aircraft models in hand) became the main content of training. In a hall used for tactical simulation training. Ron was demonstrating to those Navy pilots how to defeat the Japanese in air combat.

"Unless in electromagnetic silence, the distance between the two-plane formation of fighters can be widened a little more. Unlike the Japanese, they don't have an on-board radio and have to rely on sign language and drawing boards to communicate, so they have to be in a dense formation, otherwise they won't be able to cooperate. But we are different, and it is more conducive to observation and mutual protection by putting a greater distance. ”

Although many pilots have a good habit of looking back at the direction of 6 o'clock every ten seconds or so as soon as they get on the plane, and never fly in a straight line for a long time. But the visual blind spot is objective. For example, if you go down at six o'clock, don't say you're driving an F4F that doesn't necessarily have excellent visibility, and even in the future, you won't be able to see the P51 Mustang with the best visibility. This will require another plane from the group to help you see. If the formation is too dense, it is easy for both sides to block each other's field of vision. However, because the airplanes on the radio were also relatively recent, and in the eyes of the layman, dense formations were more beautiful (and the opinions of laymen were often very influential), so both the US naval aviation and the army aviation were accustomed to adopting dense formations at that time.

"Target direction 313, height 13000, [a] [this read] novel xstxt now turns to 350 and climbs to 15000." Analog tower commands came from the headset.

"This is the Foxhound, the steering is complete, the height is 13800, and it is continuing to climb."

"Foxhound" is the code name for the small team F4F that Ron now leads. They consisted of six fighters, and the mission of this virtual training was to intercept a group of approaching Japanese bombers escorted by more than a dozen Zero Fighters with the cooperation of other groups.

According to the plan, under the guidance of radar, they will first dive from a high altitude to attack the Japanese bomber group, and their mission is not only to shoot down the enemy bombers, but also to attract the Japanese escort fighters to facilitate the subsequent attack of the group.

"Foxhound One, direction 270, height 15000, expected to contact in 5 minutes."

"Foxhound Number One understands."

After turning again, not far ahead, Ram and a few other guys were flying in a dense formation with a model bomber in their hands. Bombers are different from fighters, they must use dense formations in order to cover each other with defensive machine guns in the rear, once the formation is destroyed, flying slowly and stupidly, and the bomber with dead ends of self-defense machine guns everywhere is a dish for fighters.

Now, of course, Ram saw Ron and them, but he had to pretend he didn't see anything now. Because according to the training settings, it will be at least 5 minutes before they will appear in each other's field of vision. In fact, due to the difference in the size of the aircraft, the bombers will detect enemy fighters much later. Moreover, under the guidance of radar, interceptor fighters can also occupy the direction facing away from the sun, which also makes the warning time of the enemy aircraft formation to them be further compressed.

"Follow me and attack!" Ron gave the order. He did not choose a direct attack that pounced headlong, but continued to swagger towards the bomber group, because of the interference of the sun, the Japanese fighters were a beat slower when they were scrambling for position, and in a panic, they immediately turned sharply, increased their horsepower, and flew towards the Ron group, trying to stop them before they could attack the bombers. The Japanese fighter group flew about 500 meters in front of the bombers, and the altitude was also about 500 meters higher than the bombers, and they climbed as they ran, barely reaching the front of the Ron's group. But now Ron is slightly 200-300 meters taller than them, and he is flying faster than the Zero, which is climbing. Even taking into account that now there are slightly more Japanese planes intercepting them. In this situation, it is still beneficial for the foxhounds to engage in air combat. However, Ron did not intend to engage in such an air battle.

"The target of the fighter on the interception mission is the enemy bomber in the first place! The second target is the enemy bomber! The third target is still the enemy bomber! "This is what any Navy fighter pilot will be taught as soon as he enters the unit. Before tackling the enemy bombers, if you don't get a few fools to entangle with the enemy fighters, you will be kicked in the ass by the commander.

"Follow me, leave the fighters alone!"

The plane in Ron's hand rolled 180 degrees, then pulled the nose of the plane and began to turn into a large-angle dive. His plan was: if the Japanese fighters followed, they would face a difficult problem. Originally, the speed of the Japanese planes was slower than them at this time, coupled with the shortcomings of the diving performance of the Zero Battle, plus the higher altitude of the foxhounds. With more potential energy, they can easily get much higher speed in the dive than the Zero, leaving the following Zero behind, rushing all the way to the bottom of the bomber group, and then jumping up from where to hit the bomber's unprotected belly with a hard hook.

The pretended Japanese plane had no choice but to follow, but this was not really much use.

Ron had leveled the plane, and due to the dive, he was now about 300-400 meters below the Japanese bomber group, but now his level flight speed, according to calculations, the high speed of the dive should have been nearly 700 kilometers, allowing them to easily leave the first group of escort fighters who intercepted them far behind. The other group of fighters left near the bomber group saw that the situation was not good, and they had to hurry to the bottom of the bomber group, ready to intercept the group of foxhounds that might jump up from here to attack.

Now the entire escort formation has lost its position, and they have all lost altitude. At this moment, other interceptor groups -- warship bird planes and wolf planes -- appeared. In front of them, there was an empty ......

The foxhounds completed the task perfectly, and the entire Japanese bomber group was scattered. Some of the bombers were judged to have been shot down, while others dropped their bombs and fled for their lives -- obviously, the surprise attack of the enemy planes had been broken up, and the safety of the aircraft carriers had been ensured. It was a textbook interception. The cooperation between the radar early warning ships and air power has achieved a 1+1>2 effect, and has become a force multiplier for the air defense of the entire fleet.

However, it was clear that the matter was not over, and the tricked enemy fighters were closely following the Ron's group. At this point, Ron could have dived directly from 13,000 feet to widen the distance and escape. But now that the task of tactical training has been accomplished, it is time to teach the naval pilots, who are still only accustomed to horizontal grinding, how to use cooperation in air combat. At Ron's command, the six planes dispersed in three groups. Enemy planes also dispersed and followed. If the opponent is really a Japanese pilot, then the first trick will definitely be a scissor cross. But now it's the Americans who play the role of Japanese pilots. They have already learned about this tactic in the previous study. Surely you won't be fooled. However, there is more than one trick that a seasoned old bird has mastered. The cross scissors can be horizontal, up or down, or between different teams. One of the groups began to dive downward, and when the enemy aircraft immediately following them also dived down, the group pulled up again. Originally, this was a wrong move - F4F's climb was far inferior to Zero's, and not only would it be impossible to get rid of it by climbing, but it would also send your ass to Zero's gun. But just as the pursuers were getting closer and closer and ready to open fire, another group of F4Fs rushed through the diagonal spurs, and the two enemy planes, which were in a low-speed state due to the heavy climb, were judged injured and had to withdraw from the battle. At this time, if you pursue the enemy plane that is injured and escaped, it will of course be very easy to succeed. However, this sudden F4F is also followed by Zero Battle. Protecting yourself is much more important than destroying your enemies.

The presence of radio makes the coordination between the F4F far more convenient than between the Zero Combat. By covering each other, the F4F gained far more opportunities to shoot than before. The crew, and even the group, cooperate well with each other, and the sturdy airframe and more powerful firepower allow the Wildcat to have the upper hand in simulated air combat for the first time. By the end of the simulated air battle, the F4F side actually achieved a result of 4 to 8. Although this was not a real battle, it also greatly encouraged the pilots who had been overwhelmed by the zero war. However, this was not actual combat after all, and in actual combat, the skills of the Japanese pilots, both in terms of aircraft technology and cooperation with each other (after all, they had long been accustomed to the absence of radios) were far superior to those of the American pilots who simulated them.

Such exercises take place almost every morning. The content involves interception, escort, and attack on ships. In the afternoon, there was a wrap-up session. As for the evenings, well, the pilots who had nothing to do got together to brag, play poker, and play billiards. The days passed like this, monotonous and fulfilling. Now, although he hasn't really gone to heaven yet, Ron has become more and more respected by everyone these days. Now it's not just those officers who want to dig him into the navy. Many pilots meet Ron in the cafeteria and say "Hey, buddy, come to the Navy!" We have better food than the Army. ”

At the end of the afternoon's wrap-up session, Rear Admiral Peterson announced the good news: a three-day holiday. Because it was expected that they would be back at Pearl Harbor by the evening.

The news was met with a flurry of applause and howls. Kenyon, the pilot of the VF-3, shouted: "Beauties! I'm back again, how I love you! "I'm going to party in a nightclub until ......"

The pilots left the restaurant one after another in the midst of the commotion. Coming to the open deck, they gathered in twos and threes to discuss the activities after going ashore.

Ron also mingled with the three guys. One of them was Ram, who had long been acquainted, and the other two were two fighter pilots who had been living in the same dormitory for the past few days - Petrov and William. Petrov was a Slav, and according to his boasting, his grandfather was a nobleman in Tsarist Russia, and after the October Revolution, the family first followed the dreadnought General Kolchak to the Far East, and then to the Americas. As for William, according to his own words, their ancestors were Irish, who emigrated to the United States during the Great Famine of that year.

"I said buddy, what are you going to do at night?" Ram asked.

"Needless to say, of course, going for a drink. I'll tell you, there's a bar called Flame Girl, which has not only the most exciting vodka, but also the more exciting ** girl than vodka......" Petrov swallowed, and then said: "One of them is called Louise, that figure, that ......"

"Less!" William interrupted him, then turned around and said to Ron, "Don't listen to him, the wine there is nothing swill, and the women are inferior." I know a place where you have the most authentic Havana cigars, and California wines—the best wines in the whole of America, fresh California steaks, and young girls who sing and dance dressed as nurses......"

"Wine can also be considered wine? Those who only drink this kind of stuff are counted as ......."

"In any case, he's more of a man than a guy who can't even be a woman, right?" William's words were about a stab in someone's sore spot, and someone's eyes widened and they roared.

"How many times have I told you! That's just ...... It's just that good men don't fight with women......" may mean that the voice is too loud to bring more onlookers, and someone's voice gradually decreases.

……

In the midst of such conversations, the sun approached the surface of the sea, dyeing it crimson. Several warship birds quacked and flew over the carrier, and the evening sun gilded their white wings with dazzling gold. Their appearance is a sign that the land is not far away. The sea breeze also became stronger, and you could smell the fragrance of coconut trees in the wind.

When the sun reluctantly sank into the sea, converging its last rays of light, leaving only a little dark purple cloud in the western sky, the swarthy silhouette of the island appeared on the sea ahead. Then you can see the lights coming on one after another. Pearl Harbor is just ahead.

The warship docked. The time was the evening of May 26, I don't know why, a few hours earlier than in history. The sailors and pilots who had been in the cramped cabins for many days, except for the unfortunate ones who had to stay on duty, flocked down.

Walking down the gangway and across the trestle, Ron's feet were finally firmly on solid ground. For many days, he seemed to have gotten used to the faint shaking of his feet. Standing on this solid ground again now gave him a strange feeling.

"Haha, not used to walking on the shore?" Petrov laughed and said, "People who have been in the sea for a long time are like this." I said what kind of army are you doing, you should make up your mind to come to our navy. ”

Ron didn't answer. He was touched by the Navy's attention to him, but at the end of the day, he was not a man of sacrifice. The next big battle, the Battle of Midway, was about to begin. The United States will win this decisive battle. But if history remains the same, the aircraft carrier Yorktown will sink. Many pilots and sailors will lose their lives. Unlike land, the chances of survival are much higher when skydiving over land than at sea. It's too dangerous to join the Navy now and go to such a battle right away.

But Ron didn't say that. He didn't want to be sent to the Academy of Sciences or the Center for Abnormal Human Research to be a specimen for study.

Before they had gone far, there was a louder noise on the Yorktown behind than when they had just landed. Ron and his gang looked back and saw that many lights illuminated the aircraft carrier Yorktown as bright as day, and countless workers and various machinery were boarding the ship in an orderly manner.

When did the Navy become so efficient? Petrov and William looked at each other. They also realize that this is not a good sign, which may indicate that they are about to face a decisive battle.

"Hey, Ron!" A shout interrupted everyone's thoughts. Looking back, it was Tom and Pato, and a little behind them were the Marcos and Cordis brothers.

"Hey, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Ron hurried over and lightly punched his brothers in the chest of each of the brothers who had been with him.

"Do you have any plans now?" Ron asked.

"Stay in the navy for the night tonight, and report to the army garrison on the island tomorrow morning. What about you? I heard you ......," Tom nodded to Petrov and William, who were walking this way, "I heard that you made a big show on their side and stopped them all?" That's a good job! And, I heard that the Navy wants to keep you and intends to make you a wing captain? ”

"Whoever said it, there is no matter." Ron said. The Navy is expressing this meaning, but it is absolutely nonsense to say that he is the commander of the wing. Although he had performed very well in tactical design and on-the-spot command during these days of drills, it was only a drill, and no one would hand over a wing to an outsider who had never even commanded a brigade. If this is the case, not to mention that the pilots of the Navy will have concerns, even they will feel unconvinced.

"And say no, lie to us, you see, the navy's clothes are all on your body."

When Ron and the others fled, it wasn't like they didn't bring a few extra clothes. But when I transferred to the seaplane, I had to abandon these clothes because of space constraints. Obviously, it was impossible to wear only the army uniform on his body for so many days, so Ron had to borrow a set of clothes from the Navy to wear them in rotation. As a result, now he is still wearing a sea soul shirt.

"You don't either." Ron said, "Don't tell me the Army just changed its clothes to yours. ”

Among them, Pato and Marcos also wore sea soul shirts.

"We're not the same, don't look at me wearing blue and white stripes, but my heart will always be green."

In the midst of their frolic, Petrov and William came over.

"Ron, who are these?" Petrov spoke.

"They are all my friends and brothers. They can't find a place to sleep. ”

"Sleep? Someone planning to waste time sleeping? Petrov made an exaggerated and surprised expression, "Oh my God, listen to me, lads, it's the time of the war, and the war is a fucking bad thing that will give you a lot of good sleep." Taking advantage of the opportunity to have such a stall yet, shouldn't you have a good time? Brothers, listen to me, I know a good place......"

Just as Petrov was spitting and his eyebrows fluttering to fool those army buns who had never seen the world, Ron saw an acquaintance pass by. It was Ram's freshly washed and ironed new military uniform and polished new leather shoes, wrapped in Ram. With a silly face, he walked without squinting, as if he was being reviewed. He didn't even hear Ron shouting at him.

"You don't need to call him, looking at his stupidity, it's like he's going to take an exam." Petrov commented.

Petrov was right, Ram was indeed going to take an extremely important exam.