Chapter 107: 106, First Stop France, Falmang F220 Large Bomber
Shrike Hao completed the final intercontinental flight path and arrived at the Bosphorus Strait.
This is the outlet of the Black Sea, and also the passage that must be crossed between Europe and Asia.
Its special geographical location gave birth to a unique city, Istanbul.
The city has half on each bank of the Bosphorus Strait. The north bank is Europe, the south bank is Asia.
But in these times, there was surprisingly no bridge over the Bosphorus Strait.
That is to say, for people to cross between the two banks, they could only take a sea vessel or swim across.
Fang Wen was slightly surprised, piloted the airplane over the Bosphorus Strait, and found Ataturk Airport on the European side.
The airport was very large, and from high altitude, many airplanes could be seen parked below.
Fang Wen turned on the radio device to call the ground, and after receiving approval, landed.
After the airplane landed, a man in a suit received him.
He took out a business card:
“Hello, I am Anton Dini, the sales director of Boeing Company’s European branch. Thank you for your service to Boeing Company. This Asia-Europe long-distance flight has ended successfully. This is my business card. I hope we can maintain cooperation in the future.”
Fang Wen took the business card, and the other party took out a piece of paper.
“This is the hangar lease voucher for Ataturk Airport. You can store Shrike Hao in the hangar for two months. If you are ready to return, contact me, and I will arrange your return flight path.”
All of this was the follow-up reward for Fang Wen’s service to Boeing Company.
In Europe, it was no longer possible to pilot the airplane as freely as during the Asia trip, so Shrike Hao had to be temporarily stored at Ataturk Airport.
Fang Wen put away the voucher, drove the airplane into the hangar, locked the door, removed the only key, and took it with him.
Afterward, he still had to go with Anton Dini to handle one last thing.
That was to settle the passport matter.
Because it had been self-piloted airplane crossing multiple countries’ airspace before, the Republic of China passport Fang Wen brought was all blank, with no stamps from the countries passed through. Such a passport could not be used to pass through various European countries.
The China embassy, US Embassy, and Turkey customs had to fill in joint supplementary content on the passport, explaining the Asia-Europe flight passage, and stamp seals, in order to clear other European customs.
January 1, 1933.
The passport matter was finally settled, and Anton Dini left immediately.
Fang Wen checked into a hotel near Istanbul Airport.
Recalling this long journey, thinking about what to do next.
Taking five days, from December 27 to December 31, the flight from Shanghai to Istanbul was finally completed.
Passing through 10 airports and landing points, crossing multiple climate zones, experiencing different customs and cultures.
Along the way, he also helped Boeing sell twenty airplanes, just not sure if the balance could be recovered after India’s independence in the future.
And this trip had one major gain.
That was that Fang Wen recorded various flight data for the entire flight path. With these, international flight paths could be opened just like domestic flight routes.
The 4000 kilometers from Karachi to Istanbul was still uncertain, but the 4000 kilometers from Kunming to Karachi could be achieved.
Wasn’t this the Hump Route?
In the future, when the War of Resistance Against Japan fully erupts, the Hump Route could be opened in advance to transport various strategic supplies back home to counter the Japanese blockade.
Thinking of this, Fang Wen took out the small notebook recording the entire flight path again, wrapped it together with the map marked with notations in kraft paper, and kept it in his inner shirt pocket.
After recalling the journey, he began to think about what to do next.
Coming to Europe, there were three places to go: France, United Kingdom, Weimar Republic.
What exactly could be obtained, Fang Wen was not certain.
But for an Easterner unfamiliar with the place in Europe, unable to pilot an airplane, he had to plan carefully.
What he could rely on, besides the Republic of China’s consulates in Europe, were the overseas Chinese scattered throughout Europe.
Among these overseas Chinese, some were fellow villagers from the Guangdong-Fujian area. His wife had said that as long as he arrived in Istanbul, she could arrange the rest.
Right, it was agreed to send a telegram home reporting safety upon arriving in Istanbul, almost forgot.
Fang Wen immediately took out the telegraph machine from the canvas bag and sent a telegram to domestic.
Shanghai Airport.
Members of Fang Wen’s small group gathered at his home.
Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, Shao Sishen, Pan Jiafeng, Shopkeeper Liu, Sun Debiao, Howard.
Shopkeeper Liu sat by the telegraph machine, holding the headphones with one hand and listening.
The others were talking in low voices.
“Why hasn’t the general manager replied yet? It’s been six days.”
“He must be delayed by something.”
“By the way, I heard that the time here is different from Istanbul. What time is it there now?”
“It’s 5 hours behind us. It’s 8 p.m. here, so 3 p.m. there.”
Besides these people, Kuang Mingzhu was also there. She appeared calm on the surface, but was more anxious inside than others.
Everyone was waiting for Fang Wen’s reply telegram.
Time passed bit by bit, and Shopkeeper Liu suddenly raised his hand.
“There’s a signal.”
Everyone immediately fell silent.
Shopkeeper Liu carefully listened to the radio waves, translated, and kept writing on the paper.
After finishing, he stood up and handed the note to Kuang Mingzhu.
Under everyone’s gaze, Kuang Mingzhu read.
“Have arrived at B, replying safe.”
B was the code abbreviation for Istanbul. Everyone immediately cheered happily. The patriarch had succeeded.
Shopkeeper Liu hurriedly said, “Not done yet.”
Immediately, everyone fell silent again.
Kuang Mingzhu continued reading: “Plan to go to Three Kingdoms. Can Mingzhu arrange reception people?”
Kuang Mingzhu looked at Shopkeeper Liu: “Can we reply to him immediately now?”
Shopkeeper Liu nodded: “Yes.”
“Then I’ll dictate, you send the telegram.”
Shopkeeper Liu sat back down to listen and record.
“Have him give current address. I will telegram the fellow villagers there to receive him. Also, tell him Sixth sister has been bailed out, but her teacher is still detained. I will continue to find ways.”
After Shopkeeper Liu recorded the telegram message, he began skillfully tapping the telegraph key.
At this moment, knowing Fang Wen’s safety news, everyone’s mood was much more relaxed.
In Istanbul, Fang Wen sent back the current address.
Then he shouldered the canvas bag and went out.
He took the hangar lease document into the airport, opened the hangar door, and closed it behind him.
It was time to retrieve the operational funds for this Europe trip.
He crouched low and crawled under the fuselage, pulling out a connecting rod from one side of the auxiliary fuel tank.
Then he inserted this connecting rod into a small hole under the fuselage and turned it clockwise.
After three turns, there was a click from inside.
The specially installed spring mechanical lock opened.
A gap appeared in the fuselage belly. Fang Wen opened the secret door, reached in, and took out a sealed leather bag.
Inside the leather bag were US Treasury bonds worth 300,000 US Dollars.
After unzipping the leather bag and checking that the national debt inside was fine, Fang Wen restored everything to original, put the leather bag in his clothes, and turned to leave the hangar.
Nothing happened that night. Dinner was settled at the hotel. Fang Wen went nowhere.
The next day, the room door was knocked on.
Fang Wen got up to open the door.
Outside stood a tall Eastern man.
He said in a thick Min Nan accent.
“Mr. Fang, I’m Lin Shuiwang, a friend of the Kuang Family. I received the telegram message this morning and hurried over right away.”
“Hello, please come in.” Fang Wen opened the door and invited him in.
In the room, after giving him a cup of water, Fang Wen asked.
“I need to go to United Kingdom, France, Weimar Republic. It’s inconvenient along the way. I want to find a reliable guide. Best if they have connections on the ground, so it’s convenient when doing things.”
“That’s me. I ran sea vessels at 13, stayed in Europe at 20 to make a living. I’ve been to the three places you mentioned and know people on the ground.” Lin Shuiwang replied, then stood up again. “Mr. Fang, I know the situation at home is bad now. We wanderers abroad also want to contribute. Tell me what to do, and I’ll do my best to help you.”
It seemed his wife had told the other party something.
Fang Wen hesitated, then said: “This trip, I want to investigate three things. All greatly beneficial to the motherland. First, go to United Kingdom to find the production process for a medicine called penicillin. It can treat gunshot wounds, greatly increasing survival rates for wounded soldiers on the battlefield.”
Just the first matter made Lin Shuiwang full of respect. He hadn’t fought in wars but knew their cruelty. Soldiers dying from wound infections outnumbered those killed directly by bullets.
If this matter was done well, it would be great merit. Even the Three Princes would approve.
He listened very seriously as Fang Wen continued.
“The second matter is to check if there are production lines that can be acquired, like firearm bullets or engines and such. Our industrial manufacturing capability is too poor. With these, we can do more with less money. The third is my personal matter, to see if there are good-performance airplanes.”
After hearing Fang Wen out, Lin Shuiwang patted his chest. “Rest assured, I will definitely take you to complete these three things.”
Whether Lin Shuiwang could be absolutely trusted, Fang Wen didn’t know, but for now, he was the most suitable candidate.
Immediately, that same day, he set off with Lin Shuiwang.
At Ataturk Airport, they bought airplane tickets to the first destination, Paris.
The direct flight from Istanbul to Paris landed.
Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang got off the airplane, following the passengers to the entry exit.
At the exit, customs and military police were guarding, checking everyone’s passport.
Lin Shuiwang’s passport passed. When it was Fang Wen’s turn, the customs staff looked up scrutinizingly.
“You piloted an airplane from Shanghai to Istanbul?”
“Yes.”
The customs staff looked down, carefully checked the stamps on the passport, asked no more, and stamped it with the steel seal.
Retrieving the passport, Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang left the airport, took a vehicle into the urban area.
Lin Shuiwang was indeed very familiar with here. He took Fang Wen to check into a hotel that was inexpensive, in a safe area.
In the guest room, Lin Shuiwang shared what he knew.
“Overseas Chinese in Paris, France are scattered. It takes some time to find fellow villagers for help. What do you want me to inquire about, Mr. Fang?”
“Can you find someone who understands the industrial manufacturing situation in France to come over?” Fang Wen replied.
“Okay.”
Then, Lin Shuiwang went out on his own to inquire.
Fang Wen, who didn’t speak French, stayed in the hotel room.
Until the afternoon, Lin Shuiwang brought back a middle-aged man.
“This is my fellow surname villager. He fits your requirements.”
Fang Wen shook hands with him and introduced himself: “Hello, I’m Fang Wen.”
“I’m Lin Baoluo.” The middle-aged man’s Chinese pronunciation was a bit odd.
“You were probably born in France?” Fang Wen said in surprise.
The middle-aged man was somewhat emotional and told his family story.
“Yes, my father studied in the French class of Baoding Army Primary School, came to France for studies in 1908, attended La Fleche Military Middle School. Later the Qing Dynasty fell, and funding was cut. Other classmates returned home one after another, but he stayed in Paris. At first to work-study and finish studies, later couldn’t persist, found a job as an employee in Paris, married and had children. Then war broke out, he joined the army, and there was no news.”
Fang Wen nodded. Life was indeed not easy.
“Lin Shuiwang brought you, meaning you understand France’s industry, right?”
“Indeed, I worked in an institution under the Ministry of Industry and know some situations.”
Fang Wen asked the first question: “I want to know about France’s current aircraft manufacturing industry.”
Lin Baoluo shook his head: “These years, the airplane industry is still stuck in the biplane stage. Monoplane research and development can’t keep up with other countries.”
“Which airplane manufacturers are developing monoplanes?” Fang Wen continued asking.
“Farman Aircraft Manufacturing Company, they are developing a bomber codenamed Farman F.220. Also Newport Aircraft Manufacturing Company is doing similar research, but seems unsuccessful.”
“F22?” Fang Wen asked in surprise.
“F220.”
It turned out to be one digit off, but Fang Wen became interested in this bomber under development.
He asked Lin Baoluo to get information on the monoplanes currently under development in France.
Two days later, Lin Baoluo brought the information. Since it was all public info, it wasn’t difficult for him.
Fang Wen read through it and finally focused on the Farman F.220 bomber.
This was a night bomber.
In 1929, the French aviation technology bureau proposed demand for a night bomber. Farman Company won the bid and started development of the F.220 bomber.
Currently, the company had received orders for two from the French Air Force.
The first prototype had completed test flight in May last year.
Just the term night bomber was enough to attract Fang Wen. Night bombing was Fang Wen’s strength.
He read carefully.
The F.220 bomber adopted an upper monoplane layout with struts. This upper monoplane design was very suitable for large-capacity transport aircraft and large bombers.
The F.220 bomber was equipped with 4 Hispano-Suiza 12Lbr 12-cylinder inline liquid-cooled engines of 600 horsepower each.
Next were the detailed specs of the F.220 bomber.
Wingspan 36 meters
Fuselage height 5.2 meters
Wing area 186 square meters
Empty weight about 10474 kg
Fully loaded reached 18675 kg
Fang Wen was stunned.
This was the largest airplane in size and payload he had seen since time travel.
How far could such a huge airplane fly, how fast?
Fang Wen continued reading.
Airplane payload: 4000 kg in fuselage bomb bay, external load 4000 kg.
Air combat weapons: 3 7.5 mm MAC1934 machine guns mounted in nose, dorsal, and ventral machine gun turrets.
Crew members: 5, 2 pilots main and co-pilot, 3 machine gunners.
Speed: maximum 320 km/h at 4000 meters altitude
Ceiling: 8000 meters
Range: 2000 km
Looking at these specs, greed rose in Fang Wen’s heart. What a great treasure.
F.220 bomber internet images copyright restricted cannot be published, view on your own. This bomber is flashy and impractical for others, but a treasure for the protagonist.
