The Aviation Research Institute of the Border Police Force of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established in April 1918. At the beginning of its existence, there were only four people in the entire department, Mikhail . Petrovic. Messrs. Count Sukhoi and Count Hemstra and their orderlies. In addition to having a 40-square-meter office, this department can be described as shabby.

Every day, Sukhoi's job was to clean himself up with the help of the orderlies, and then go with Monsieur Count to the office of an immortal to ask for personnel, equipment, and money.

"Here you go again!" Li Xiaofeng involuntarily touched his head.

These days, I am very speechless about these two hand-outs who must come every day, and who will inevitably want this and that after they come. Nor did he deliberately delay and deliberately withhold the two men from adequate personnel, funds and equipment.

The main problem is that among the great powers, the least developed aviation industry is even considered Russia. Judging from the scope of the great powers, it is only stronger than Japan and the same level as the United States. Even soon the United States will overtake it with a good industrial base. Coupled with the effects of the war, it will take time to get together the Qiē that Sukhoi needs.

And to tell the truth, Li Xiaofeng has been very busy recently, as the political commissar and logistics commander of the Russian People's Volunteers, he has too many things to manage, discussing military plans with Yegorov and Tukhachevsky, arguing with the Petrograd Railway Bureau and major factories, he is so busy that he has to turn his feet to the sky, how can he have extra time to take care of this in the aviation department.

Sukhoi and the old man of the Count don't talk superfluous nonsense, they listen to a certain immortal pour bitter water and talk nonsense every day, and they are also tired of it. The two of them didn't say anything, let alone complain about anything. I found a sofa and began to watch a certain immortal. The meaning is quite clear. If you don't give us what you need, you won't go.

Li Xiaofeng shook his head, grabbed the phone and asked as usual, but today was different from the past, there was no complaint or complaint on the other end of the phone, but gave him good news.

Putting down the phone, Li Xiaofeng raised his head and glanced at the two second-hand goods, and said with a smile: "I have good news for you." The boss has decided to dial the planes and pilots you need, and you can go and receive them! ”

Sukhoi cheered, turned his head and prepared to leave without saying a word, but the bad old man of the earl had an extra heart and asked, "What plane did you dial to us?" How many? ”

Sukhoi also immediately restrained his feet, looking at a certain immortal like a puppy, and the expression of anticipation was too cute.

Li Xiaofeng coughed dryly and said, "You also know that the vast majority of planes and pilots are either in a mothballed state or transferred to the front line. It took me a lot of effort to get you four planes. ”

"Only four?" Sukhoi was disappointed. What can four planes do? How to verify his tactical thinking?

"It's quite a lot!" Li Xiaofeng tried to convince him, "There are two Ilya. And what about Muromets! This is our best bomber! ”

Sukhoi's face changed suddenly. Although Li Xiaofeng did not lie, Ilya. When the Muromets heavy bomber was first born, it was considered a first-class heavy bomber in Russia and the world.

The Bird, with its wingspan mounted on four 150 hp engines, was the work of Sikorsky, a famous figure in aviation. On May 13, 1913, Sikorski personally piloted the prototype for a test flight, which was a complete success. Equipped with 4 100 hp engines, at a flight altitude of 122 meters, it reached a speed of 104 kilometers.

And Ilya. Muromets was also the first aircraft to have an enclosed cockpit and passenger cabin. The aircraft was later officially named the "Russian Warrior". In addition to a spacious enclosed cockpit, the aircraft also has a heated "living room" with a table and rattan chairs. Its extravagance was unimaginable in Europe by the native chicken pilots who were made to use the earth as a bed.

As the world's first specially designed and produced bomber, Ilya. The Muromets bomber E was equipped with 3-7 machine guns, could carry up to 800 kg of bombs, had bomb bays inside the fuselage, and for the first time used some of the most advanced bombing and navigation equipment at the time, such as electric bombers, bombing sights, piloting and piloting instruments.

At that time Ilya. Muromets is tall, but Sukhoi doesn't like the big bird at all. With a maximum speed of only 127 km/h and a huge wingspan of 38 meters, its survivability in the face of increasingly fast and advanced fighters is questionable (although it has only been shot down once in history).

Sukhoi didn't want a big stupid bird, and as a veteran naval officer, he knew that horizontal bombers were basically difficult to pose a threat to warships, especially those under sail. Moreover, the power of aerial bombs in this year is too small, unless it is unlucky, it is difficult to seriously damage the warship wrapped in heavy armor.

What Su Ho wanted more was a torpedo machine, which was undoubtedly more accurate and more lethal than an aerial bomb with no guarantee of accuracy, and one or two torpedoes could severely damage or sink an armored ship. If there are enough torpedo machines, he has the confidence to destroy a Qiē warship, even if it encounters the Super Dreadnought!

Li Xiaofeng's head is full of black lines, playing torpedo in 1918? Are you sure you're not kidding me, in addition to the Niuniu's Thorprois "Cuckoo" put into production this year, where are there any torpedo machines? The problem is that Russia has fallen out with the Entente, how can it be possible to buy cuckoos!

However, when it comes to this, I have to mention one more thing: when it comes to naval aviation and aircraft carriers, the first thing that comes to mind for ordinary people is US imperialism. If the time is limited to World War II, more people will only add a small Japan, and the vigorous Pacific naval battle is too eye-catching. What Pearl Harbor, what Midway, what Coral Sea, what Mariana caskey.

It's as if these two were the only experts in playing aircraft carriers and naval aviation. In fact, in terms of contributions to the theories of the navy, navy, air force, and aircraft carriers, Niu Niu should be ranked first. As early as World War I, to be more precise in 1916, Niu Niu had the idea of a similar attack on Pearl Harbor.

Murray. Commodore Huth came up with an imaginative plan in 1916 to build eight through-deck aircraft carriers with 121 torpedo bombers to carry out heavy air strikes on the German High Seas Fleet anchored at Wilhelmshaven. Destroy the High Seas Fleet directly in the lair.

This operational idea, which was still novel at the time, was immediately endorsed and supported by the new commander of the Grand Fleet, Betty. Although at that time the British naval shipyards were already overloaded. Capacity is very tight. But the commission, chaired by the former commander of the Grand Fleet, Admiral Jericho, nevertheless pushed Huet's plan forward with the best efforts.

New torpedo bombers (Sopway "Azalea") were built, aircraft carriers such as "Hundred-Eyed Giant", "Eagle" and "Athletic" were improved and built. Had it not been for Germany's declaration of defeat and surrender in November 1918, the sea and air raids, more than twenty years before Taranto and Pearl Harbor, would have been carried out by the British first!

"I know there are no suitable torpedo bombers for the time being, but that's exactly what we're working towards, isn't it?" Sukhoi swore that "we should immediately start developing a new torpedo bomber, so that we can keep up with the world trend and realize my tactical vision!" ”

Li Xiaofeng became more and more speechless at the mustachioed lion's request to open his mouth. A torpedo bomber that studies the existing technological and economic and industrial capabilities of Russia! And even if you start developing it right now, you won't be able to catch up, will you?

Of course, he also knows that a technocratic nerd like Sukhoi can only be touched by the hair, and if he is hard topped, this thing may have to be picked.

So he could only explain with a smile: "We naturally want to develop a new type of aircraft, but even if we start research work immediately, the aircraft can't get off the drawing board tomorrow, I think you should use the existing aircraft to practice and do some preliminary verification work......

Sukhoi was on fire. He didn't let go: "Verify a fart!" Can I use a horizontal bomber to verify a torpedo attack? ”

Li Xiaofeng was still breathless, and said with a smile: "It's really a pity that you can't attack enemy ships with torpedoes. But you can verify the blow to the port facilities first......"

It took a lot of saliva before Li Xiaofeng persuaded the indignant little man to calm down for the time being and go to study the attack on port facilities first. However, Li Xiaofeng also felt that it was necessary to build a torpedo bomber, after the end of World War I, when the Allies intervened in the Russian Revolution, the Royal Navy hit Kronstadt, and the arrogance was not ordinary.

And the Poros Sea Fleet, because of the impact of the great retreat on the ice and the transfer of troops in the civil war, the combat effectiveness has dropped quite a lot, and it is really not good to rely on the half-lame Poros Sea Fleet to fight against the Royal Navy. If the Air Force had torpedo bombers or dive bombers, it might surprise Britain!

After thinking about it, Li Xiaofeng gave an order to the Moscow Special Prison to change the taste of Sikorsky, who was temporarily forced to study motorized sleds, and with the level of this guy, it is not too difficult to design a torpedo bomber of the same grade as the Cuckoo, right?

Of course, this is just a road, and it may not be easy for others to get cuckoos, but for a certain immortal, you can buy it directly in a cornucopia, although the price is not cheap, it is still acceptable to buy one or two cottages.

Not to mention that Li Xiaofeng is trying to solve the problem of torpedo bombers over there, let's talk about Sukhoi and the old man of the earl, although these two guys are rolling around in the office of a certain immortal, they are not ashamed to be the hand-outing party, but they still think that the plane is not good. But in fact, these two guys are quite happy in their hearts.

Nesting in the office every day, or watching a certain immortal, to be honest, it's really boring. Elias. Muromets although could not meet the requirements for projecting torpedoes. But after all, it's not an airplane, how much can it fly, isn't it?

I think when I was in Ukraine, Sukhoi even had a lot of fun with the observation balloons used by artillery, let alone real planes! It can only be said that this guy was taken by the old old man of a certain earl, and he has learned to play tricks.

"Count, let's fly!" Sukhoi patted the big guy behind him and said with great interest: "Only in the sky can you experience what true freedom is." Once in heaven, you'll love that feeling! ”

Hemsstra was not as excited as someone else, although he had read a lot of aviation books, which was considered theoretical, but he had never been on a plane, let alone in the sky. Although he had played balloons with Sukhoi twice before, that one was safer than an airplane. Anyway, looking at the tattered big bird in front of him, he felt a little up and down in his heart.

However, the old man did not refuse, and he did not show a trace of fear, he was like a boy watching a horror movie with his girlfriend. Try to pretend that you don't care.

Put on your flight jacket. Put on a flight cap. When the old man got into the cramped cabin and smelled the oil and gasoline, he felt more and more uncomfortable. He leaned against the bulkhead, looking away from the world outside the window, holding the cross in his hand and praying for peace.

And Sukhoi didn't notice the old man's uneasiness at all, chattering about how much he loved flying and sharing the most thrilling stories in the air. It's really like a weird guy who deliberately tells ghost stories to scare little Lori.

The engine drives the propeller to spin rapidly. The huge thrust drove the four-and-a-half-ton bird slowly off the ground, flying higher and higher, faster and faster. Under the manipulation of Sukhoi, Ilya. Muromets headed in the direction of the sea.

Early twentieth-century airplanes were genuinely uncomfortable to sit on, with the roar of the engines making you unable to hear anything, the smell of oil and gasoline making you faintly nauseated, and to make matters worse, catching up with the turbulent currents, up and down no less than riding a roller coaster.

Anyway, after the liftoff, Hemsstra was not only not as comfortable as Sukhoi said. He was getting so uncomfortable that he didn't dare to open his mouth. He was worried that as long as he opened his mouth, he might not be able to help but spit on Sukhoi......

And Sukhoi, who was very happy to fly the plane, did not realize the discomfort of his old partner at all, and in order to make the old man completely fall in love with flying, he constantly made difficult maneuvers such as sharp turns or rolls.

You know, the old man who was about to vomit was like this, and his face was really green. He pressed his lips with the last of his perseverance, and lunch was already in his throat!

After playing for a while, Sukhoi, who was a bit of a two, felt that his old partner didn't talk and was bored. As long as he is in the air, he can't control this mouth, and if he doesn't say anything, he doesn't feel like he can fly.

"Earl, I sue you. The last time I was flying, I witnessed a fool crashing headfirst into the ground...... Tsk, that's thrilling! With a bang, the plane fell apart, and by the time we found the idiot again, guess what, that idiot had turned into a mess...... The forensic doctor later told me that all the bones of the idiot were shattered, and his brain and large intestine were all in a mess......"

Vomit......

The old man couldn't hold back any longer, and opened his mouth to spray Sukhoi in the face, what Italian macaroni, beetroot soup! There is also a smell of Darjeeling black tea. I don't know how a decrepit man who likes to drink tea feels about washing his face with tea.

The rest of the journey was very uncomfortable for Sukhoi, an old-fashioned bomber from 1914, no toilets, no black silk flight attendants to take care of your vomit, and if nothing else, Sukhoi had to endure the acid and putrid gas of stomach acid-soaked food on his body to continue the flight experience.

Of course, what made Sukhoi even more depressed was that the other wingman that took off together had a mechanical failure halfway and turned back halfway. This dealt a heavy blow to his plan to test an attack on port facilities.

On the other hand, after spitting up, the old man felt a lot more comfortable, although he still didn't dare to look out the window, but there was no chattering long-tongued man in his ears, and he felt a lot more comfortable. As time passed, gradually, the old man's heart settled down, and when you got used to this incomparable taste, the fear would decrease a lot.

After flying for about an hour, the old man put away the cross and slowly began to enjoy the scenery outside the window, the sparkling sea, and the blue sky, which really made people feel comfortable and free.

The much bolder old man leaned into Sukhoi's ear and shouted, "How long are we going to fly?" ”

At first, Sukhoi thought that the old man wanted to spit on his face again, so he quickly dodged, until the old man shouted out loudly, he was a little relieved, and explained angrily: "It's almost time to Mosine Island!" ”

Mosine Island is a small island in the Gulf of Finland, about 100 kilometers from Petrograd, and Sukhoi's plan was to attack false targets at the island's range with live ammunition, for which he specially brought 12 50-kilogram aerial bombs.

It didn't take long for the island of Mosine to come into view. Sukhoi circled the island twice, and it was easy to identify the target set by the range. Pressing the joystick, he lowered his flight altitude a little.

When the bombardier had lassoed the target with his sight, the first round of attacks began on Sukhoi's orders. As the fuselage was lighter, the four bombs were thrown out in an instant, but their accuracy was really unsatisfactory, and the impact point of the bomb was 108,000 miles away from the target, and they almost flew out of the shooting range and landed in the small village in front of them.

Sukhoi pursed his lips and said, "I knew it would be like this, there is no point in high-altitude horizontal bombing, nothing will hit!" ”

Hemsstra felt fresh, he patted Sukhoi on the shoulder and shouted, "One more time!" ”

Sukhoi fulfilled the old man's wish, entered the attack course again, and threw four bombs again, but like the last time, it was still a thousand miles off topic.

But the old man seemed to be addicted, and when he saw the explosion from the air, it felt different, and he shouted again: "Do it again!" ”

But this time, Sukhoi did not fulfill his wish, for him, it was pointless to come ten more times, the high-altitude bombing was too painful, and it was simply impossible to accurately hit any target. He was not ready to waste the bomb, and pushed the joystick, and he shouted: "No need, it's a waste to try again!" Save a little ammo...... With some fuel left, let's go to the sea for a while! ”

The old man felt sorry for not being able to continue watching the bombs, but it was also a pleasure to be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea from the air, and after continuing to fly west for an hour, he patted Sukhoi on the shoulder and pointed to the sea and said, "Are those German warships?" (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you Comrade Sukhoi for your friendly cameo again, and thank you to the very powerful Juventus and Comrade Potato for rewarding again!