Xiao Weiguo nodded and said: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we will definitely submit two of the most perfect plans, as for whether we can be selected, of course, it depends on the opinions of the review committee." ”

Hitler laughed and said, "I'm looking forward to your plan!" ”

This conversation lasted almost two hours, and Hitler saw that the time was not too early, so he said to Xiao Weiguo and Messerschmidt: "Both, I have asked people to prepare a banquet, let's go together!" ”

This time Hitler paid special attention to it, and personally accompanied Xiao Weiguo and Messerschmidt to dinner, which surprised Xiao Weiguo, he didn't expect Hitler to look up to himself at all, but he knew that Hitler had always been known for being good at winning people's hearts, so such a polite corporal was naturally nothing. Of course, Messerschmidt felt flattered, and it was an honor in itself to be able to get the Prime Minister's banquet, but he knew that it was all because of Xiao Weiguo, Hitler obviously valued Xiao Weiguo very much, and he valued the Dragon Soul Ordnance Industry very much, which was the same psychology as when he valued Xiao Weiguo.

After the dinner, Hitler even sent his henchmen to send Xiao Weiguo and the others to the hotel, which was arranged by Hitler's subordinates a long time ago. This moved Messerschmitt's heart, and he had no idea that he still had this treatment, and Hitler's status in his heart was raised even higher.

When he arrived at the hotel room, Messerschmidt grabbed Xiao Weiguo and said, "Philip, can you really design a tank?" Is what you said today true? Don't talk nonsense in front of Your Excellency the Prime Minister! ”

Xiao Weiguo smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dr. Willie!" I've never fought unprepared battles, and how could I talk nonsense without a certain certainty. When it comes to the design and manufacture of tanks, we cannot but talk about their use, even if there are advanced aircraft on the battlefield, they cannot replace the functions of tank attack, covering the soldiers to seize positions and seize beaches. So. It's time for our Dragon Soul Ordnance to enter the field of tank design and manufacturing, although we haven't developed a tank yet, it doesn't mean that we don't have this ability. Now we can develop even the most advanced and complex jet engines, and tanks are not a problem. ”

Messerschmidt's eyes widened and he said, "Philip, can we really do it?" I know that a tank has a complex walking system and needs to be well armored. We seem to be completely blank in this area! ”

Xiao Weiguo shook his head and said, "No." The structure of the tank looks complex, and in fact it is not complicated. For example, the tanks during World War I, in terms of structure, the tank has no turret, but also the turret overhead and rotary, the steering mechanism uses a single differential, some use two auxiliary gearboxes to drive the tracks on both sides, some use two sets of engines and transmission groups to drive respectively, and some use electric motors to change the speed of the tracks on both sides. But no matter what, these are developed from scratch. If others can, why can't we? ”

Messerschmidt was surprised: "Philip, you know so much?" Then tell me what the direction of the future development of tanks should be? ”

Xiao Weiguo pondered for a moment and said: "As an assault force, the most important thing for a tank is, of course, three basic performance indicators, firepower, protection and mobility, no matter what kind of tank must be designed around these three basic performance." Of course, the tanks of the future must be larger and larger. Just like our planes! Because it is necessary to make the tank more firepower and better protection. Then it is necessary to increase the weight of the tank, and as soon as the weight of the tank increases, the engine power will also increase, so that the tank will develop to thirty or forty tons, and even sixty or seventy tons is possible! Structurally and technically, in the future, it is possible that the hull of the tank will be made by welding. The thickness of the armor increased, the turret could be cast or welded, and it could also be equipped with optical sighting instruments, communication radios, artillery high and low stabilizers. Hydraulic machinery with dual power flow, torsion bar type independent suspension device. In terms of artillery, there will definitely be larger and longer caliber and barrel lengths, and new types of armor-piercing ammunition will appear. In terms of power, high-power engines will be used, after all, to make a tank weighing tens of tons run, this power will not be much worse than the engine of a combat aircraft. Our turbochargers may come in handy, as well as jet engines, which can also be converted into a gas turbine for tanks. ”

Messerschmitt was surprised to hear this, and although he didn't understand it too much, he couldn't help but ask: "What about armor protection?" For example, a 15-ton light tank, what kind of armor should we use? ”

Xiao Weiguo smiled: "I think our Bofors Defense Company has a great advantage in this regard. On the one hand, Bofors has a deep foundation in metallurgy and alloys, and can gain advantages in the research and development of tank armor, such as high-strength and light-weight aluminum alloy armor, which can be used in light tanks, which not only effectively reduces the weight of the tank, but also has good protection, and it is not impossible to be even stronger than ordinary steel armor. ”

Messerschmitt thought for a moment and said, "Isn't there a way to make the tank better evade enemy shells, except in terms of the armor's bullet resistance and weight?" Just like our ground attack aircraft, in addition to increasing armor, you can also reduce the bombed area by reducing the frontal load area. So is it possible to do the same in tank design? ”

Xiao Weiguo stroked his palm and smiled: "Dr. Willie is really smart and can draw inferences from others, I think you can also give advice on our tank design plan." Indeed, as you said, the tank can also reduce the probability of being hit by reducing the frontal projection area, so that the opponent's shells cannot hit accurately. For example, we can make the turret of the tank as small as possible, make reasonable trade-offs, increase the thickness of the frontal armor and reduce the thickness of the side armor. Or make the turret a little lower, the lower the height of the entire tank, the less likely it will be hit head-on by the enemy's shells. In addition, for example, we can increase the inclination of important parts, take the front of the most important turret, for example, we can design a wedge-shaped turret, which is equivalent to increasing the thickness of the armor, and at the same time, the possibility of the enemy shell ricocheting is greatly increased, and the probability of damage to the tank after being hit is greatly reduced. ”

Messerschmitt said with understanding: "I didn't expect that there would be so much attention to tank design, it seems that I have to study it carefully!" (To be continued.) )