1908 Far East Maniac Chapter 181 Airplane

Man is a false alarm. That plane was not sent by Rì himself at all.

The plane flew in from the southeast. At an ultra-low altitude of less than 50 meters, it circled around the "Sea" several times. The sè flag pattern under the wing is clearly visible. Apparently. It belongs to China in the republican era.

"Hum. Airplanes. ”

In the low roar of the engine. The plane slowly descended in altitude. Eventually, they glided some distance against the water. landed on the Yangtze River. Until now. Only then did everyone understand. It turned out that the plane could land on the water.

In fact, Zhao Bei had already seen that it was a seaplane. The two large pontoons are quite conspicuous. So. Wait for that plane to complete the route. When flying along the Yangtze River waterway. The commander-in-chief ordered the engine of the transport boat "Republic". I followed the plane.

The sailors stood on the front board. With his mouth open, he looked at the strange flying object that was getting closer and closer. I can't figure out why that thing can fly in the sky. There were a number of officers with the same expressions as them. This is really understandable. After all. They saw an airplane for the first time.

"What's so frightening? It's an old-fashioned plane. The propellers are all wood. ”

Zhao Bei stood on the bridge. I glanced at these uninformed hands. I saw two people on the plane holding their hands to them. Hurriedly ordered the sailors to prepare the cables.

Wait close to the plane. The "Gong" boat slowed down. The sailors threw cables at the plane. The two men on the plane took the rope. Tethered to the head of the plane, the sailors worked together. Dragged the plane over. Holding the hands of the two pilots. Picked them up on the boat.

This old-fashioned plane can seat two people, which made Zhao a little surprised, and now the aviation era has just begun. Most planes carry only one person. An aircraft that can carry two people is basically a "heavy aircraft".

The two pilots removed their upper fur caps and goggles. Only then did everyone see the appearance of the two clearly. One of them was in his thirties, and the other was at most twenty-year-old, and I don't know if it was because of the blowing or the temperature in the sky. \\.starter\\Both of them had flushed faces. It took a while to subside.

Zhao Bei separated the others and walked in front of the two. Stretched out and said: "Contemptible Zhao Bei." I don't know what to call the two? ”

The two muttered a few words in a low voice. Spoken by the man in his thirties: Contemptible Xie Tai. The word is heavy. I wonder if you are the commander-in-chief of the Republic? He said. shook hands with Zhao Bei.

Zhao Bei struggled to understand this person's words. smiled and nodded, and said: "Yes, the contemptible person is Zhao Bei, the commander-in-chief of the Republican Army." The word Zhenhua. Listen to the accent Mr. Xie Cantonese? ”

Xie Tai said: "My ancestral home is Kaiping, Guangdong. Long admired the name of the commander-in-chief. See you today. It's finally worth the trip. ”

Then he pointed to the young man beside him. He said again: "This is Feng Ru." Words are free. Guangdong Enping people's. American Chinese laborers. ”

"Fortunately. Fortunately. ”

Zhao Bei shook hands with the other party. It's about to be closed. Feng Ru. is a historical celebrity. A pioneer in China's aviation industry. The commander-in-chief had already sent someone to inquire about his whereabouts. I didn't expect this person to come uninvited. And it actually flew over on its own in a plane. What is the meaning of "stepping on iron shoes and finding nowhere to find." It doesn't take much effort"? Here it is.

"This two flew and built it themselves?" Zhao Bei asked, pointing to the seaplane.

"Only the pontoons were made by ourselves. After changing to rubber wheels. The aircraft can be used amphibious. The plane was actually made in France. Purchased by donations from overseas Chinese. Give it to me and bring it back to China. Serve the revolution. Xie Tai's answer made the commander-in-chief a little lonely.

"I see. There are many patriots among overseas Chinese. Since overseas Chinese all support the leather industry. We, the revolutionary soldiers, have also lived up to their entrustment. The revolution must be carried through to the end. Wait for China to become stronger. We Chinese will no longer be bullied abroad. ”

Zhao Bei expressed his position. looked at Feng Ru. The pioneer of China's aviation industry does not seem to have built his first aircraft yet. But now that I've crossed over. Then maybe you can help him. Change history a little more.

"How fast is this plane? How high can you fly? How far is the voyage? Where did you take off? Zhao Bei ordered the boat to be sailed. Towing the plane in the direction of the Hanyang Arsenal. I took advantage of this time to ask a series of questions.

What surprised Zhao Bei was. Such as historical celebrities. But that Xie Tai is also by no means an ordinary person. This person can also be regarded as a pioneer in China's aviation industry. Even earlier than Feng Ru, he came into contact with aviation theory. The difference. Feng Ru'er is an airplane. And Xie Tai is playing with airships. Back in the time of the Sino-Japanese War. Xie Tai once wrote to Li Hongzhang. It is proposed to buy Western airships. Used in military operations. But it didn't pay much attention. Later, he studied the relevant theories diligently. Soon a soft airship was designed. It's just that it didn't get the Qing court's attention. And only stay at the drawing stage. In particular, it is worth mentioning. This person painted a well-known "Map of the Current Situation" on the eve of the Wuxu Reform. It vividly describes the carve-up crisis that China was facing at that time. A classic. So much so that in the middle school history textbooks of later generations. This diagram is still cited in textbooks. Let the students intuitively see the dangerous situation in China at that time.

As for why these two calendars came together. But we have to start with the "Wushen Revolution".

Xie Tai is originally from Guangdong.

A real flower. He was born in Australia. In his early years, he studied with Hong Kong. After the establishment of the Xingzhong Society. He was also a member. He also presided over the South China Morning Post. After the outbreak of the "Wushen Revolution". Zhao Bei sent out a "hedian" in Wuhan. He called on overseas Chinese to enthusiastically support the revolution. See power-up. Xie Tai immediately set off for the United States. Mobilize overseas Chinese donations. It is intended to purchase several airships. Repatriated to support the revolution. It is through the Chinese community of the time. He got to know Feng Ru, who was also enthusiastic about aviation. The two have a common language. Accompanied by Feng Ru. After watching the dang air show. Xie Tai immediately changed his mind. Don't buy airships anymore. Instead of buying an aircraft. With the support of overseas Chinese in San Francisco, Oakland, etc. The two planes they bought as they wished, and they were immediately loaded onto the ship and shipped back to China. When the ship arrives at the Shanghai Concession. Just in time for the "Qizhou tragedy". The Republican Army confronted the fleet in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and when they saw the aggressive posture of the republican army, the two discussed. Gave up the idea of defecting to the League. Fly onto a German merchant ship. Go straight to Wuhan. After the aircraft was loaded in the German concession, the first test flight of the day was carried out.

In fact, if it weren't for Zhao Bei busy holding a meeting on the warship. Rumors should have been heard in a matter of hours. There really hasn't been a plane in Wuhan. When Xie Tai and Ru were assembling the aircraft on the dock of the German Concession and drawing the five flags. Some well-informed people have already rushed over to see the excitement.

"The two of them can understand the great. Give up the comfort of living abroad. Returned home to support the revolution. It is really the pride of China. I speak for all the soldiers. 1. The revolutionaries of all China pay the highest respect to the two of them. ”

The commander-in-chief praised the two of them on the boat, and waited for the ship to dock. He instructed the guards to carefully carry the plane up to the dock and turn it to the factory for preservation. Although, in his opinion. The plane is very original. But after all, it's also an airplane. And it can sit two people. The load capacity is still unsatisfactory. Maybe bring some small bombs. Perform combat missions. Even if it is impossible to fight. At least it can be used for reconnaissance. Or with training pilots.

In fact, this plane still has a lot of origin. Although it was purchased by Feng Xie and Xie in the United States. But the person who sold the plane was not an American. Rather, a Frenchman. His name is Henri Falman. He was a French aviator. Back two years ago. He completed the world's first circular flight with a homemade airplane. Although the distance is only one kilometer. But it officially ushered in the era of flying in Europe. Not long ago, Mr. Falman took a newly built twin-engine box plane to the United States for an air show. But because at that time the Wright brothers in the United States were also doing air shows. To prevent the French from being in the limelight. A very patriotic beauty director rejected the application for the air show. Due to the long parking time in the dock warehouse in New York. A significant amount of rent is in arrears. Mr. Falmans had no choice but to cancel the air show. And put the plane up for auction. So the plane turned around a few times. It fell into the hands of the Chinese.

This plane is also a plane that the two brought back to China, one by one, which can carry two people.

Commander-in-Chief courtesy plus. Xie Tai and Feng Ru both looked flattered. They did not expect the commander-in-chief to attach such importance to this rather shabby-looking plane. As a matter of fact. Flying nowadays is all rudimentary flying. The range is short, the speed is low, and the speed is slow. It's really not a good helper in combat. The commander-in-chief was so gracious. On the contrary, the two of them were a little upset. But the commander-in-chief still kept boasting. In the end, he also instructed the staff officer to arrange more comfortable accommodation for the two. And look for the right airfield and job. Kanzi is planning to let the two of them immediately develop the aircraft on their own.

- Move to Zhao Bei. The officers of the communist army were not surprised. After all, the commander-in-chief has been advocating the victory of the flying mechanism for a long time. If the commander-in-chief treats the two with indifference. On the contrary, it is unreasonable. But I listened to the introduction of the two just now. The officials were a little puzzled. It's only twenty miles long. The flight altitude is less than two hundred inches,. The top speed is only 10 miles per hour. Not to mention machine guns. Even a rifle can knock it down. Can this thing be used in war? That's not how the joke goes.

Everyone wondered. But the Commander-in-Chief's distinguished guests could not be neglected. I immediately found two clean dormitories in the arsenal. I also found a few idle factories in the steel pharmaceutical factory to work as hangars and workers. Dozens of apprentices from the arsenal were also sent to follow the command of the two.

The Commander-in-Chief extended a warm invitation. The two were not pretentious. Immediately should serve the Republican Army. Officially became the senior technical advisor of the military zhèngfǔ.

Settle in the dormitory. The baskets of white flowers carried by the guards, Xie Tai and Ru were almost about to cry. This is the start-up capital allocated by the commander-in-chief to the aircraft factory. The commander-in-chief said. As long as two people do the construction of the plane. The IRA will certainly give its full support.

How many years? Finally, a bosom friend arrived. This year. Not many people in Malaysia are willing to have a serious discussion about the aviation industry with them. Whether it is those cadaveric-officials. Or those rich businessmen with fat brains. All of them regard this aviation industry as a miracle. I haven't even seen it with the right eyes.

You can't be a man without being righteous. Since the Director-General is so generous. So. In accordance with his intentions, China's own aircraft factory should be built in the shortest possible time.