“…… You mean, the new aircraft is not as flexible as the 'Sea Lightning' that was equipped at war? Is this just your personal opinion, or is it the impression of most people around you? ”

Pan Guochen lay on the steel-legged tea table in the lounge, without raising his head to record and ask questions, the cup in his hand was full of the aroma of coffee.

"That's the general perception among the veterans in the team."

Cai Guolan was holding her chin with one hand and counting the sugar cubes in the cup.

Pan Guochen poked the notebook with a pen: "If I remember correctly, the No. 3 air-cooled 7-cylinder star-shaped engine manufactured in Jiangnan equipped with 'Sea Lightning' has a rated output of only 190 horsepower, and the "Haiyun Electric" Beiyang Heavy Industry No. 10 air-cooled 8-cylinder V-shaped engine has an output of only 220 horsepower, and the No. 10 model has only reached 250 horsepower, and the No. 11 liquid-cooled 8-cylinder V-shaped engine of Beiyang Heavy Industry No. 11 of 'Haizhen Electric' has a rated output of 330 horsepower in one fell swoop - I don't understand, for the continuous improvement of engine power, Does it make veterans like you feel uncomfortable? ”

Cai Guolan's ceramic ball-like eyes swept half a circle to the ceiling, and he shook his head while reaching out to get the milk cup: "I didn't say that the new machine is not good, for rookies, it is easy to operate, and it only needs a short period of adaptation training to get started, as long as you don't forget to add water, no matter how much the engine is tossed, it will not burst the cylinder, not to mention the speed...... I mean, it's great for the average person who doesn't have a talent for flying, and who doesn't have a sense of mechanics. ”

"But not for an experienced ace veteran like you?" Pan Guochen was in hot pursuit.

"Well, I think flying a light and nimble plane, but very unstable, like the Sea Lightning, is like driving a fierce horse that has not yet been fully tamed, you have to feel its rhythm at all times, grasp the tightness of the reins, and if you get distracted, you may be thrown under the horse. Novices may suffer a lot from it, and even pay the price of their lives. However, once you become familiar with its habits, and you can even say that you accept each other, you will be able to accomplish actions with it that are unimaginable to others......"

Poon noticed that at the mention of the word 'acceptance', Cai's eyes flashed with a romantic longing that was clearly not aimed at human beings.

"As for the 'cloud electricity' and 'seismic lightning', in my eyes, it is like a lifeless car, as long as you step on the accelerator and grasp the steering wheel, it will move forward in a daze, and no matter how fast it is, it can remain stable. You hit the steering wheel to the left, it goes to the left, you go to the right, it goes to the right, you just follow the manual mechanically, there will be no problems, there are not so many complex and difficult habits to be summarized in words that need you to slowly experience and ponder - on the other hand, you should never expect it to create any surprises for you other than the actions specified in the manual.

Cai Guolan smiled faintly, picked up the well-mixed coffee with both hands, and blew lightly for two breaths, and then sipped it contentedly.

"Geniuses are a minority after all, and a mass-produced weapon should be designed for the majority of ordinary soldiers."

Pan Guochen closed the notebook, took out a pack of red "Kirin" brand cigarettes from his briefcase, and shook them twice under his nose first: "Don't mind, right?" ”

"Of course not...... You're such a special officer. ”

"Really? How special is it? Pan Guochen continued casually, looking for his silver and gold dragon lighter given by the empress all over his body.

"Bang", a light blue background of the flame bounced in front of Pan Guochen, Pan Guochen consciously picked up the cigarette and leaned over, by the way, glanced at Cai Guolan's fire-machine-exactly the same as his own, and subconsciously said: "As far as I know, this thing, the emperor will only give to the noble and close ministers around him." ”

Cai Guolan blinked her unusually bright eyes: "I just know that the investigation just now shouldn't be the work of a general." ”

"This woman is really not ordinary...... Liang Gensheng's taste is really ......"

Pan Guochen muttered in his heart, and let out a long puff of smoke on his side face: "Your opinion is very valuable to us, maybe it won't be long before you and your comrades-in-arms may get a new type of fighter with both rookie and veteran performance." ”

"Then I'll wait and see, rest assured, before that, I will give full play to the advantages of 'Sea Earthquake Electricity' - but this should not be what the chief wants to hear the most?"

Pan Guochen lowered his head and smiled bitterly: "Women are too smart, sometimes it's really not a good thing - I'll just say it directly, I heard Liang Gensheng mention you, saying that it was because you were determined to divorce and remarry, and it took a lot of effort to transfer you to the mainland." I didn't expect to run into you here, so I ...... Excuse me, am I too much to do? ”

Cai Guolan clenched the coffee cup with both hands, and just lowered her head and smiled: "No...... It's okay, I don't mind, it turns out that you are really Liang Gensheng's friend......"

"Woo-woo-"

The sharp siren suddenly sounded throughout the ship, Cai Guolan reflexively grabbed the flight cap, quickly saluted Pan Guochen, and rushed to the duty room without saying a word.

Seeing Cai Guolan's back disappear outside the door in an instant, Pan Guochen touched the back of his head in amazement, extinguished most of the remaining cigarette in his hand in the ashtray, picked up the briefcase, and strode towards the spiral ladder leading to the bridge.

……

Central San Cristobal Island, Kiraquira Airport, Headquarters of the Anglo-American Combined Air Force "Toucano".

"This is Major General Westland, the commander of the Royal Indian Flying Corps during the Battle of the Bay of Bengal, and the current commander of the 'Tucano' Air Force, which unites the command of the base aviation units on the island and Rennell Island."

After listening to Mitchell's introduction, MacArthur stretched out his hand to Westland with reverence on his face: "I'm honored, I'm Douglas?" Lieutenant Colonel MacArthur, who was transferred here yesterday from General Robinson's headquarters. ”

Westland shook hands with MacArthur and tilted his head apologetically: "I heard Billy mention you, when Ling Zun was the governor of the Philippines, I had the privilege of having dinner with him - unfortunately, I don't have time to entertain you now, I just received a report from a patrol plane that an enemy aircraft carrier formation was found in the sea east of Malaita Island, only 300 nautical miles away from here, which has confirmed the submarine reconnaissance report forwarded by General Schroeder before. ”

Mitchell nodded thoughtfully: "I've read the Navy's report, I don't think we'll get in the way here?" ”

"Of course—please take care of yourself."

With that, Westland strode back to the chart table and studied it with the staff officers.

The abandoned MacArthur shrugged at Mitchell: "I thought this was yours." ”

Mitchell shook his head helplessly: "We are still freshmen, they have graduated from graduate school, to improve the speed of learning, we can only teach by hand, here, a British squadron leads one or two American squadrons, what they do, we will do it, for the time being, this can only be the case - come here, I think you will ask me about the 'Toucan' air force next." ”

"Billy, what else can I say? You're a worm in my brain—"

…… V