"What's the solution? Are you going to order the Ministry of Iron and Steel Industry to give us priority in the production of armor steel? Tvosiyan voiced his doubts, "In this case, how can the Red Army explain it?" ”

Manturov said his ending plan, "The Novosibirsk steel plant has recently completed expansion work with the addition of some equipment for the production of armored steel. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

This was supposed to produce high-quality armor steel for the nearby military-industrial complex, but now the tank plant in Novosibirsk has not yet been put into operation, and the capacity of the steel plant can also be used to produce enough steel for Project 23 while ensuring that tank production will not be blocked. ”

Tvosiyan thought for a moment and said: "The production quality of the Novosibir Manturov steel plant is very good, the production efficiency is the highest in the Soviet Union, and you set it up. This is obvious to all. If we can get steel made in Novosibirsk, it is believed that the quality of the ships will also improve. ”

"The quality of the armor steel produced in Novosibirsk is really good, and it should be able to meet the requirements for the construction of Soviet-class battleships. Tomorrow I will inform the People's Commissariat of the Black Metal Industry, as well as the leadership of the Novosibirsk Manturov Steelworks, that they give priority to the production of steel for Project No. 23.

And Comrade Tvosiyan, your department also has to submit the relevant documents to the Ministry of Ferrous Metal Industry, detailing the requirements for armor steel, as well as the specific quantities. In this way, they will be able to produce the steel needed for Project 23 more accurately and efficiently. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Manturov, I know what to do." Tvorsyan showed his confidence.

It was at this time that Katia served hot coffee to the two visiting ministers. The aroma of the coffee beans penetrated the noses of the three ministers with the steam emitted, bringing an olfactory pleasure.

"Comrade Voroshilova," Pervushin, People's Commissar of the Electric Power Industry, finally spoke, "the coffee you brewed is so fragrant!" I've never smelled such a fragrant smell of coffee. ”

"Comrade, you complimented you." Katia smiled politely: "Compared to a professional barista, what is the coffee I brew?" ”

She went to the kitchen again and brought Manturov a cup of coffee and a plate of bread and caviar, "You talk slowly, and I won't disturb the three of you." With that, she went back to her room and closed the door.

"Comrade Pervushin," Manturov took a bite of white bread with black caviar, "how is it on the Kharkov side?" ”

"Kharkiv? Are you referring to the Kharkov Turbo-Generator Plant, which produced steam turbines for Soviet-class battleships? Pervusin did not dare to infer the meaning of the deputy prime minister, so he asked knowingly.

"Yes, Comrade Pervushin," Manturov pointed out another problem encountered in the process of building ships, "why has the Kharkov Turbine Plant not started producing turbines for battleships until now?" The Swiss had already given them the samples, and the British had provided them with technical documentation.

Now that they have technical documents and physical samples, there should be no difficulties in the development work, right? ”

The most difficult problem encountered by the Soviet-class battleships was that the Kharkov Turbine Plant in the Soviet Union did not produce a single steam turbine. The only three turbines imported from Switzerland in the hands of the shipbuilding department can only equip one ship.

However, there are already three Soviet-class battleships that have already begun construction. The first ship, the Soviet, already has enough turbines to assemble, but the remaining two have no usable turbines. This means that at least six steam turbines are needed to complete the construction of the remaining two ships.

Otherwise, those two steel giants without power units could only stay in the shipyard, and they would not be able to go to sea at all, nor could they be regarded as a battleship, at most they could only be regarded as large batteries.

At present, solving the problem of these six steam turbines is the most difficult and important work in the shipbuilding plan. And in front of Manturov, Tvosyyan and Pervusin, there are only two paths to take.

The first is to find a way to get the Kharkov side to produce a suitable steam turbine, but this method, there are many uncertain factors, the time to solve the problem is unpredictable, and it is possible that the problem can be solved after the start of the war.

Second, it is to order the rest of the steam turbines from the Swiss Blanc Bauveli company, but this method will be more expensive, after all, Blanc Bauveli is a for-profit enterprise, the price will definitely be a little higher, but also counting the transportation costs, labor costs in developed countries and so on.

Of course, there is no conflict between the two approaches. Manturov quickly came up with a way to get the best of both worlds, that is, to use both methods, "In this way, we will first order three steam turbines from the Swiss to equip the second ship, the Ukraine."

As for the No. 3 ship, the Soviet Belorussia, the construction of this ship has not been around for a long time, and it is estimated that it will take another half a year before the hull will take shape. At that time, I think that the Kharkov side should be able to make a power plant to equip the No. 3 ship. ”

"Your proposal, Comrade President, is not bad," Pervusin thought of some questions, "but if the Kharkov side can develop a suitable steam turbine in a short time, then the money to buy the machine from the Swiss will be wasted."

In addition, from a diplomatic point of view, if foreigners know that we cannot produce steam turbines for battleships even if we have physical samples and technical documents, our image may be affected as a result. ”

"Actually, I've thought about these two questions. First, our goal is to complete the construction of two ships before May 1941, but the progress in Kharkov is so slow, and the development work is far away.

Second, if you buy a machine from the Swiss, of course, it will have a certain impact on the image of our country. But if we build the strongest battleship in all of Europe, what will other countries think of us? ”

Pervushin thought about it carefully, and also felt that Manturov's proposal was not undesirable, "Comrade Manturov, your proposal is advisable, but please let me know about the situation in Kharkov and then decide whether to buy a power plant from the Swiss." ”

"Alright then, you can find out about the situation over there as soon as possible and report to me further. If the problem is not big, then I will use all available resources and send the best specialists to support the development of the Kharkov side.

If the problem is big, then we will increase our resources and support the development of the Kharkov turbine plant, and at the same time buy three turbines from the Swiss and equip the second ship, Soviet Belorussia. ”

? (To be continued.) )