At present, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr really couldn't think of anything else they could do, so they asked Arthur very curiously.

Arthur smiled and did not answer the questions of the two directly, but handed over a few documents and motioned for the two to watch on their own.

After carefully reviewing all the materials, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr looked at each other, and then asked tentatively: "Your Highness, do you want us to develop a steam plane?" ”

Yes, although it is well known that the inventor of the aircraft was the Wright brothers of the United States, many people were already exploring the footsteps of the Wright brothers before the successful test flight of the Wright brothers' aircraft.

The first recorded aircraft builder was the German Mochaysky. In 1882, he built a steam plane with flat-winged wings, but the test flight failed.

From 1886 to 1890, France's Adele also built four steam planes, and the test flights were also unsuccessful.

Maxim of Britain and the United States also built steam planes in 1893 and 1896, perhaps because of poor power, or for other reasons, in short, the planes made by these people did not succeed in flying, which also made them regret to miss the honor of being the first to invent the airplane.

Until December 1903, the Wright brothers piloted their invented Flyer 1 on Kitty Hawk Beach on the east coast of the United States, successfully flying four times, a total of 97 seconds, 441 meters away.

Although it was only a short time and distance, it was indeed the first time in human history that a powered aircraft actually flown in a powered aircraft.

After the last test flight, Wilbur Wright also said excitedly, that is: "The era of flight has finally arrived!" ”

Although compared to the airship, the time for the aircraft to really play its role is even more delayed.

However, it cannot be denied that in terms of development potential, practical role, and the most important safety of flight, the aircraft is definitely a more suitable aircraft for development than airships.

Arthur had Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr watch all the previous steam planes for one purpose, and that was to let them build airplanes!

The Wright brothers were able to successfully build an airplane, why couldn't Australia?

In terms of ability, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr are both experts in the field of aviation, will they be less capable than the Wright brothers? Not necessarily.

Perhaps what they lack is the imagination and pursuit of flying into the sky.

This is something that Arthur was able to provide them, and Arthur had seen all kinds of more advanced aircraft, let alone experimented with flying experiments.

What Arthur needed was for Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr to use their knowledge of the aviation industry to bring Arthur's ideas to life.

Although it may not be possible to invent the airplane before the Wright brothers, there is a good chance that it will catch up later.

The Wright brothers' airplane inventions are also being explored, and even airplane inventions around the world.

If Australia can succeed in overtaking the invention of the aircraft, it will play a crucial role in Australia's military affairs.

Why did Arthur attach so much importance to the development of aircraft? Because before the advent of more powerful weapons, aircraft and air supremacy were absolutely no less important to a war than the number of troops invested, or even exceeded.

The threat of aircraft to front-line troops and rear logistics is incomparable, and can even directly determine the advantages and disadvantages of a war, and determine the outcome of a war.

Just imagine, the front line troops and the rear logistics lines are all harassed or even cut off by aircraft, so is there still a war to be fought?

It may be fought, but it will test the military's military spirit and trust in the leader. It is not uncommon for people to turn defeat into victory under absolute disadvantage, but this does not mean that everyone can do it.

After receiving Arthur's affirmative reply, the two were still a little surprised, and asked: "Your Highness, for now, there is no possibility of success for the steam plane for the time being. While it's impossible to say that steam planes can't fly, it's definitely something that requires a lot of effort and crazy experimentation to explore. And do the functions of the steam plane and the airship coincide? Even if a steam plane could fly into the sky, it wouldn't be able to transport as much as an airship. ”

Arthur shook his head with a smile and said: "The functions of airships and airplanes do not conflict, and as far as I know, someone in the United States has already developed an airplane that can fly into the sky, but it is still experimenting. I hope you will pay attention to the study of airplanes, which is more important to Australia than airships. Now that you've built your airship, focus on the development of the aircraft. Externally, you are only responsible for the research and development of airships, but in fact, you have to pay more attention to the research of airplanes, understand? ”

Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dühler looked at each other and it dawned on them.

Although Arthur invited them to Australia and asked them to build an LZ-1, this does not mean that Australia's main development direction is airships, but rather steam planes that have a somewhat similar role to airships.

As for why they are used, it may be because they are experts in the field of aviation?

"I see, Your Highness. Once we had built a replica of the LZ-1 rigid airship, we would start working on the steam plane. Teodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr said in a tacit agreement.

Although the research objectives are not the same as the airships they originally fantasized about, they are almost all in the field of aviation.

They still understand the research and development ideas of the aircraft, and they also dabble in aerodynamics.

Anyway, the research funds and salaries they care about will not be less, and they will even increase, so it doesn't matter what they study.

What's more, Arthur also promised to hire more experts in Europe to help them, the previous failed products of steam planes were all invented by individuals, and with the efforts of a large amount of money in a country, are you still afraid that you will not be able to invent a successful product?

As for Arthur's claim that someone in the United States had succeeded in inventing an airplane that could fly, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr did not doubt it.

As a duke of a country, the words spoken are still very convincing.

Seeing that Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr had agreed to the research plan, Arthur nodded with satisfaction and said, "Australia will establish an airship research center, and you will all be the head of the research center." Your first research funds will arrive soon, and I hope that you will be able to build a replica of the LZ-1 as quickly as possible, and then invest in the development of the aircraft as soon as possible. There is an engine specialist in Australia, and perhaps he can help you in the development of your aircraft. In short, I hope to see results as soon as possible. ”

Theodor Kerber nodded, looked at his old partner, and then said tentatively: "Your Highness, I hope that Australia can provide us with some books on aerodynamics and aeronautics, and I hope that experts in this field will also arrive soon." We'll put your research into it as quickly as possible and won't fail to live up to your expectations. ”

The second more, ask for support!

(End of chapter)