The Douglas company may not be well known to many comrades, because in 1997, this company was merged by an old rival. Of course, if you ask someone in the American aviation community in 1933, "Do you know McDonnell Douglas?" ”

The answer is absolutely no, because in 1933 there was no such company as zài, even if this company was quite awesome and prominent in the second half of the 20th century, such as the famous C-47 transport aircraft (DC-3), F-4 Phantom, F-15 are all products of this company.

But in those days, MacDonald. Douglas does not exist in the company, to be precise, these are still two companies, MacDonald and Douglas. Among them, in the thirties and forties of the twentieth century, Douglas Company was more awesome.

And the main product that made Douglas awesome was the C-47, the best transport aircraft of World War II was a widespread success, and at one time overwhelmed the old rival Boeing, and even the Soviet Union introduced a production license for the DC-3 (civilian version of the C-47)!

However, at the very beginning, that is, in 1933, when the DC-1 first flew, Douglas had a really hard time, for the simple reason that there was no bottom about the future. In 1933, the U.S. economy was still not improving, and the aviation industry was still squeezed enough by the world economic crisis, and if it were not for the U.S. Navy's torpedo program, the Douglas company would probably have closed down.

Of course, even if it didn't go bankrupt, Douglas was miserable enough, for a very simple reason, the old rival Boeing came up with an epoch-making aircraft - Boeing 247. It swept the U.S. civil aviation community when it came out, and received orders that Boeing couldn't produce even if it was a 24-hour spin (TWA tried to give Boeing new orders, but due to production loads and other reasons). To no avail. ）

And at this time. Douglas is also working on a new aircraft that will be similar to the Boeing 247. That is, DC-1. It's just that at this time, DC-1 has just stepped off the drawing board, and even the prototype has not been produced. In the face of the aggressive Boeing, Donald. Douglas was worried about what would happen to his company.

Comrades who are familiar with history know that Douglas should not worry at all, because Boeing is too presumptuous, and in order to deal with the main competitors of United Airlines (Boeing's small partners), Trans World Airlines and American Airlines, refused to sell the Boeing 247 to the above two companies immediately. In the face of Boeing's approach. The latter two airlines naturally will not sit still, under their strong demand, the DC series aircraft will not worry about sales at all, and even when the DC-1 is improved to DC-2, the Boeing 247 is not the opponent of the DC series at all, and it is almost a collapse.

Of course, this is history, and Donald naturally doesn't know it, so at this time he is still sitting in his office with anxiety and stupidly looking at DC-1 on the drawing tablet. Until his secretary woke him up.

"Sir, Miss Natalia is here, will you see her at once?"

Two days ago. Donald had never heard of the name Natalia at all, and naturally had no way to deal with her. But a telegram two days earlier changed that. The reason for this Miss Natalia is that they have a strong interest in DC-1, which they haven't fully stepped off the drawing board yet.

Donald didn't know how strong this strong interest was, for the simple reason that Miss Natalia was unknown in the aviation world, and even if she was a local tyrant, she really liked Douglas's flying machines, and how much she could order. Maybe it's just one?

So, while Donald is happy to have a new client, it's very limited, which is the main reason why his mood is still low. However, this did not prevent him from inviting Natalia in immediately.

"On behalf of the entire Douglas company, I would like to extend a sincere welcome to you, Miss Natalia!"

Donald kissed the back of Natalia's hand very gentlemanly, to be honest, now he is in a slightly better mood, the reason is very simple, men like beautiful women, and Natalia is undoubtedly the kind of big beauty who will make men worship under their skirts. It's always more comfortable to talk about business with beautiful women than with a mean old woman, isn't it?

"I heard you're very interested in our products?"

After some politeness and greetings, the businessman Donald finally returned to normal and went straight to the point, after all, even if the beauty is eye-catching, it can't compare to real money, right?

Natalia elegantly lit a lady's cigarette, spat out a smoke ring faintly, and said seductively: "Yes, Mr. Douglas, I am very interested in your DC-1 airliner, is there a real thing?" ”

Donald was finally a little surprised by this, because the DC-1 really didn't have a physical object, and the only prototype was still on the production line. He had thought that Natalia's DC-1 was just a façade for other Douglas products, such as the racing planes that the rich loved so much. After all, in the thirties, airplane racing was quite popular, and most of the local tyrants who had money to burn bags were willing to build one for display.

So when Natalia made it clear that she was interested in the unformed DC-1, Donald was finally surprised, and he couldn't help but kindly remind: "Miss Natalia, I must remind you that DC-1 is still in production, and this is a passenger plane, and it is not fast......"

Natalia spat out a smoke ring indifferently and said, "I know, what I want is a passenger plane, it can carry 10 passengers, right?" ”

Donald wondered when the tyrants were interested in airliners, but he replied with a smile: "That's right, it's designed to carry 12 passengers!" ”

"Good!" Natalia smiled and asked without question, "When will you be able to come up with the finished product?" ”

Donald was both happy and surprised in his heart, happy that there was an order for the prototype before it was produced, and surprised why the other party wanted to buy a passenger plane?

"Are you ready to enter aviation?" Donald asked cautiously.

Throughout the thirties, the aviation industry was full of flowers, and there were many aircraft manufacturing companies of all kinds. And airlines have sprung up. A little money in the United States. It's all too common to buy or lease one or two planes and get on one route. Donald thinks Natalia is ready to get into this line of work as well. Otherwise, why buy a passenger plane?

However, Natalia was stunned by the question, and asked in a daze: "Enter what?" ”

Yes, how could Natalia enter the aviation world, come to Douglas, her task is to buy airplanes, as for what she buys airplanes for, she doesn't care at all, who let this matter be instructed by some immortal?

Natalia's attitude disappointed Donald a little, originally he thought he could get new customers? At least Natalia is a bit of a tyrant in his eyes. But the other party's surprised expression told him. That hope was dashed.

However, Donald was not too disappointed, after all, this is more normal, so he still asked politely: "Then how many DC-1s are you going to order?" ”

Natalia's eyes widened and she asked in shock, "How many?!" ”

The disappointment in Donald's heart became even stronger, and he immediately changed his words: "As long as there is one, there is no problem!" ”

Natalia was not satisfied: "What's the use of a top?" For the sake of a plane, as for the sake of Los Angeles, I came from Los Angeles? ”

Donald was stunned and asked stupidly, "Then how much are you going to order?" ”

Natalia held out a finger, and Donald asked again, "Cross?" ”

To be honest, when this number was said, Donald himself thought it was ridiculous. Even a "big" company like Trans World Airlines would be able to order ten planes in one go.

However, the answer given by Natalia surprised him: "It's a hundred!" Mr. Douglas. I'll give you an order for twenty first, and then if your plane satisfies me, there will be more to come! ”

Donald was already dazed, because the numbers Natalia said were so staggering, an order for 20 planes, which was a big deal!

Suddenly, in Donald's eyes, Natalia's whole body seemed to glow with gold, and he immediately stood up, called the secretary in without saying anything, and ordered her to bring some high-end drinks and snacks to entertain this super customer.

Natalia just smiled at this, because she didn't just come to place an order, she also brought a request from an immortal: "Mr. Douglas, although I admire your company's DC-1, there are some small problems that need to be solved. ”

Donald's heart suddenly tightened and asked, "What's the problem?" Miss Natalia, we can do it if you ask for it! You will be absolutely satisfied! ”

Natalia smiled and said, "Quite simply, I'm not satisfied with the engines you use, I want my plane to use a liquid-cooled engine made in France, specifically Hispano. Susa 12Ybrs engine. ”

This request made Donald a little stunned, he had thought that this very layman beautiful local lady would make an embarrassing request, but he definitely did not think that she would offer to replace the engine.

After a moment's pause, he asked, "Why do you want to replace the engine?" The Wright SGR-1820-F engine is reliable, affordable, and affordable......"

But Natalia was unmoved: "This change is necessary, if you can't switch to Hispano. Susa 12Ybrs engine, then there is no need to continue to talk about this business! Can't I replace it? ”

"Absolutely!" Donald hastened to reply, "There are no problems!" ”

Indeed, for Donald, changing the engine is simply a minor problem, and he understands Hispano. Susa 12Ybrs performance, this water-cooled engine weight is a little lighter than the dry weight of the Wright SGR-1820-F, it is not a problem at all to change to DC-1, and in terms of power, the two engines are almost the same, and even after replacing the liquid-cooled engine, the engine compartment of DC-1 can be more streamlined, the wind resistance will be smaller, and the flight speed will be faster.

Natalia nodded with satisfaction, and then added: "This is just my first request, the second requirement is that DC-1 must undergo certain modifications, and must adapt to high latitudes and cold climates. ”

Donald was a little surprised by this request, and he asked, "Why?" ”

Natalia smiled and said, "Because the DC-1 I ordered is going to fly to Russia, and I have to adapt to the harsh climate there!" ”

Russia?!

This time Donald was really surprised, he really didn't expect it. The end users of their own aircraft turned out to be Russians. Then, at this opportunity, he carefully looked at the beauty in front of him. Sure enough, I found the unique taste of Slavic women.

"And who are you?" Donald asked cautiously.

Natalia smiled and said, "I'm just an ordinary Russian woman living in the United States. ”

Donald definitely doesn't believe this, but Natalia's nationality or the power she represents behind her is not a problem at all, the United States and the Soviet Union have not been close to each other in recent years, and a large number of cutting-edge technologies have been exported to the Soviet Union. Selling civilian airliners like him is nothing at all.

Even Donald was glad that he had won the favor of Russian customers, in his opinion it was a huge market, and the purchasing power of the Soviet government in recent years was really too strong!

After some negotiations, the contract of intent was signed quickly, and the initial order was 20 aircraft. It will also include an optional additional order for 20 aircraft. The order for these forty aircraft alone can put Donald's heart in his stomach with peace of mind, and he now has to think not about whether the DC-1 will be successful or whether it can make money, but how to expand production capacity and further improve the DC-1.

The good news from the United States made Li Xiaofeng happy, and there was no difficulty at all in changing from DC-1 to DC-2 and DC-3. Even if the current DC-1 is a bit small, it is still sufficient.

"Where are you going to use it? Setting up an airline? Yakov asked.

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said: "I do plan to set up an airline, but it is not an ordinary civil airline, do you think Arxnis will be interested in DC-1?" ”

"You're going to resell it to the Air Force?"

Li Xiaofeng shook his head and said, "That's almost impossible, Tukhachevsky will definitely get in the way." I mean setting up an aviation leasing company. Lease the aircraft to the Air Force. That's where Arksness can help! ”

Indeed, if it is purchased directly with Hispano. DC-12 of Susa 1Ybrs engine. Natukhachevsky will definitely do his best to disrupt the business, but leasing is completely different.

"But would Arxnis be interested in DC-1?" Yakov asked again.

"Of course," Li snapped his fingers, "he's going to fall in love with DC-1!" ”

Why is Li Xiaofeng so sure? The reason is very simple, at this time, the airborne forces of the Red Army still use TB series bombers, compared with the TB series that is halfway home, DC-1 is faster and more suitable for carrying personnel, and it does not need to be purchased by the Air Force at any cost, only rented and borrowed at a cost, why should Arksnis object?

However, Yakov soon asked a very real question: "However, forty DC-1s only need 80 engines in total, and counting the spare engines, it only consumes about 100 Hispano. Susa 12Ybrs. What about the rest? ”

According to Li Xiaofeng's idea, the DC-1 will cost 40 aircraft at most, after all, compared with the DC-3, the DC-1 is still a lot smaller. And he wants DC-3 more, but DC-3 has a greater power demand. The 760 hp engine of the Susa 12Ybrs is certainly not enough. For example, the genuine DC-3 uses two 1200 horsepower engines. In the long run, I'm afraid there will only be Hispano. The Russian modified version of the Susa 12Ycrs VK-105P (initial designation M-105P) was able to meet the needs.

The rest of the Hispano. Susa 12Ybrs still has nowhere to go, which is a big problem!

However, Li Xiaofeng was full of confidence in solving this problem, and he said with a smile: "Do you remember Sikorsky? ”

Yakov sighed and said: "How can you not remember, isn't it the money-losing goods?" ”

Why did Yakov call Sikorsky a money-loser? The reason is very simple: during the great development of the aviation industry in the twenties and thirties, the only aviation manufacturing company in which NORINCO invested was Sikorsky Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd., headquartered in Finland.

The aircraft-building company, in which Sikorsky was the chief designer and had a 10% stake, was able to produce a lot of products throughout the twenties, with almost nothing worth mentioning, except for a few unsuccessful seaplanes. Subsidies from NORINCO are needed every year to survive, and the amount of these subsidies is quite large. In the closest circle around Li Xiaofeng, Sikorsky called him a "money-losing goods" and considered him the most failed investment of a certain immortal in recent years.

However, Li Xiaofeng did not feel that this investment failed, the twenties and thirties were a period of great aviation development, but it did not belong to helicopters, and Sikorsky was best at the rotor field, in fact, in 1930 Sikorsky had come up with a product similar to the historical R-4. It's just that the demand is not large, and there is no large-scale production. Most of the dozens of aircraft produced one after another are self-produced and sold, and they have all entered service with EO, and the actual use effect is not bad.

Originally, Li Xiaofeng was going to let Sikorsky run in small steps and get out the historical S-51, and then the S-55 (H-18) in 1939. Susa 12Ybrs is worried that there is nowhere to go, so let's just take a bigger step and step towards the S-55 in one step.

Imagine if there was a vertical projection force in World War II that could transport an infantry squad in one go (the S-55 used an eight-hundred-horsepower Wright R-1-300-3 piston engine that could carry ten infantrymen), whether it was used for special raids or to rescue pilots, it would be very promising.

Of course, it is not without difficulties to get the S-55, the power is nothing, the main thing is that the S-55 uses a large number of magnesium alloy materials in order to reduce weight, and this aspect is the biggest problem for the Soviet Union.

But fortunately, Li Xiaofeng still has time, the Soviet Union does have problems in the area of new materials, but for the United States, the problem is not big. It is acceptable to temporarily source alloy materials from the United States for production. Anyway, all Li Xiaofeng wants to do now is give it to Hispano. The Susa 12Ybrs engine is just looking for a place to go. When the war broke out, Hispano. The Susa 12Ybrs has definitely developed into the VK-105PA (1200 hp), and at that time, even if the Soviet Union did not make achievements in magnesium alloy, it was possible to make a body out of a heavier aluminum alloy...... (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you to the Plane Wanted, Zsuzm, Pig Chic 2, Sweet Potato in the Melon Field, Instant Kill Potato and Comrade Juventus!