Chapter 260: 259, Elite Pilot Tests, 8,000 Km Supply Transport For The Northeast Anti-japanese United Army
After breakfast, the physical fitness test began.
Doctors and nurses from the Industrial Park’s medical room came to conduct this test.
Under the nurse’s guidance, the three Red Army soldiers began measuring and recording basic information such as height and weight.
Then came the vision test. In the piston aircraft era, all operations were done with the naked eye; good vision was essential.
The vision testing process was actually similar to the future, using a logarithmic eye chart. The test subject covered one eye and followed the nurse’s instructions to perform the test.
There was also color blindness testing. If color blind, one couldn’t distinguish airplanes with different paint schemes.
Next was the hearing test. A qualified pilot’s hearing had to meet the standard.
The doctor held a tuning fork to the subject’s ear and struck different tuning forks to assess hearing sensitivity.
Tuning forks of different frequencies could detect hearing loss in different ranges.
This was also what Fang Wen was worried about. After all, the three had likely been in war environments for a long time, and shockwaves from explosions could easily damage eardrums.
But fortunately, all three passed.
Then came the cardiopulmonary function check.
High-altitude flight and high-difficulty combat flight maneuvers would burden the heart and lungs due to air pressure changes. Without this fitness, they wouldn’t be suitable.
The Republic of China had no electrocardiograph machines, so the doctor could only assess cardiopulmonary function by observing the patient’s breathing rate, breathing depth, and auscultating the heart and lungs.
The assessment showed the three were very healthy.
Having passed all the above checks, next were balance and coordination tests, physical strength tests, and flexibility and joint mobility tests.
Stirred by competitive spirit, Pan Jiafeng quietly said, “Master, I think they won’t perform so well next.”
“Is that so? I think they can do it just the same.” Fang Wen gave a different view. These three were selected like soldier kings; their physical fitness should be no problem.
The two continued watching.
The balance and coordination test used a swivel chair and balance beam to assess vestibular function and body balance coordination ability.
The three passed easily.
The physical strength test included: sprints, sit-ups, pull-ups, standing long jump, assessing explosive power, endurance, core strength, and upper and lower limb strength coordination.
The three all performed well, but with emphasis on different aspects.
Qi Baoqian excelled in endurance and upper and lower limb coordination, likely related to his frequent reconnaissance and special operations outside.
Du Jiahua had excellent core strength, upper limb strength, and coordination. Fang Wen thought it was related to frequent crawling and weapon shooting.
Shao Deqing had the strongest explosive power, with good endurance too; he was the most combat-capable.
The last item of physical fitness was the flexibility and joint mobility test.
This was added by Fang Wen at the last minute. The purpose was to consider that Elite Aviation Team members would later perform many high-difficulty complex flight operations, so body flexibility needed consideration.
The test item was: seated forward bend.
The requirement was to sit on the ground with hands flat in front of the toes.
This was a bit challenging. The three Red Army soldiers had never done this movement before and were initially unadapted, but with their perseverance, they all completed the posture one by one.
Fang Wen clapped and said, “Congratulations on passing the physical fitness exam. Now go eat. We’ll start the psychological test this afternoon.”
The three stood up, formed ranks, and left together.
Pan Jiafeng wanted to follow.
“What are you going for?” Fang Wen called out.
“To talk with them.” Pan Jiafeng replied.
“No, that would interfere with their afternoon test.” Fang Wen said seriously. Pan Jiafeng had to give up.
At 3 p.m., the three were brought to another room in the Industrial Park office area.
That was Fang Wen’s office in the Industrial Park; he would conduct this test.
The first test subject, Qi Baoqian, entered and stood in front of Fang Wen.
Fang Wen looked up and asked, “Please briefly describe an experience where you successfully overcame adversity.”
Qi Baoqian stood straight and began recounting directly.
“Last year, our troops had just captured a county town and were organizing promotional activities. I was sent outside the city for alert reconnaissance. It was me and another comrade. We encountered a company of scattered enemy forces. Seeing only two of us, they tried to surround and kill us. We discussed having me draw fire while the comrade flanked. We fought for 2 hours that day. I led them around the mountain twice, then coordinated with the comrade to capture them all.”
From just this one question, Fang Wen could tell the man had extremely solid psychological fitness; he was unflappable.
He said satisfied, “You can go out now. Call the next one in.”
The second test subject, Du Jiahua, entered.
Fang Wen asked, “When facing emergencies, how do you usually stay calm and make decisions?”
Du Jiahua was stunned, then answered after a moment, “Officer, I just know one principle: don’t panic when something happens; panicking will ruin it. So in battle, I don’t think about anything else, just aim wholeheartedly, shoot, then follow orders.”
Fang Wen nodded. This question assessed the test subject’s emotional response and control under high pressure.
But Du Jiahua gave a suitable answer in his own way.
Fang Wen couldn’t help saying, “You have good marksmanship. When you learn to fly later, use the machine gun to shoot Japanese devils accurately too.”
“Yes.” Du Jiahua stood at attention and responded.
“Go out and call Shao Deqing in.”
Then the last one, Shao Deqing, walked in.
Fang Wen thought: this one was hardest to read—cavalry, communicator, skilled in close combat; probably frontline combat personnel.
He asked, “Were you selected?”
Shao Deqing blushed: “Officer, I was selected. Don’t doubt it. Though I’ve been in the Red Army not long, I’m no worse than others.”
Straightforward personality, but seems lacking in experience handling matters—a rookie.
Fang Wen made a preliminary evaluation, then asked, “Describe a situation where you felt extremely nervous or under immense pressure, and how you handled it.”
Shao Deqing recalled: “Once, I rode horseback to deliver orders, 2 kilometers away. The whole unit was in mobile combat. When I arrived, that detachment had left, but the encirclement and suppression forces arrived. Hundreds of enemy forces passed by me. Because it was dark, they didn’t realize the horseman was an enemy and didn’t spot anything wrong. I didn’t dare speak either. Seeing clothes on a supplies horse-drawn carriage, I hooked one with my gun, changed outfit directly. Then rode out and delivered the orders to the detachment. Does that count?”
“It counts.” Fang Wen nodded.
Changing clothes surrounded by hundreds of enemies, then leaving safely—this psychological fitness passed too.
With physical fitness and psychological tests passed, Fang Wen felt these three Red Army flight cadets were very qualified, seedlings for elite pilots.
Next, high-altitude testing.
At dusk, Fang Wen and Pan Jiafeng brought the three Red Army flight cadets to the port.
“Tonight is the last test, testing your adaptation to high-altitude environments. Not very difficult, just a warm-up before formal flight training. But there’s some danger. Details inside the aircraft. Now, board.”
After Fang Wen spoke, he led the way into the Xuanming.
Pan Jiafeng came over enthusiastically to introduce himself: “Hello, I’m Pan Jiafeng, a member of the Elite Aviation Team. We’ll be colleagues from now on. Let’s board together.”
Led by Pan Jiafeng, the three entered the Xuanming.
Fang Wen then explained the situation.
“This flight mission is from Yangon to a place in Heilongjiang in the Northeast. Round-trip range 8000 kilometers, taking two days. Also, the destination temperature is minus 16 degrees or lower, with many emergencies. Be mentally prepared.”
Fang Wen described the flight difficulty, then entered the cockpit.
Next, Pan Jiafeng would communicate with the three.
With equal status, Pan Jiafeng spoke much more relaxed.
“Let me introduce this airplane. It’s called Xuanming, a Shuiyun II long-range seaplane produced by Taishan Aircraft Manufacturing Plant. Range 4000 kilometers, speed 200 kilometers per hour, max speed 300 kilometers per hour. Last month it completed a trans-Pacific flight from Asia to America.”
His description greatly surprised the three Red Army flight cadets.
Having marched long-term, they had precise senses of speed and time.
The airplane they were in could cover such a long distance in one day, making them first realize how advantageous airplanes were for transport.
Shao Deqing, who had read more books and thus had broader knowledge, said in surprise, “You mean our China has produced its own airplanes!”
“Yes. Not just for show. Our Shuiyun Type 1 airplane is in commercial use, and the aircraft manufacturing plant produces them every month.” Pan Jiafeng said proudly.
At this time, Fang Wen’s voice came over the radio inside the aircraft: “Aircraft about to takeoff. Pan Jiafeng, teach your colleagues flight precautions.”
The Xuan Ming Seaplane took off. Fang Wen controlled the airplane while observing the cabin interior.
Pan Jiafeng loved teaching, and the three flight cadets were eager to learn.
They had a teaching-style discussion on the Xuanming’s internal structure, from the nose mooring compartment to the tail machine gun room.
This was good, saving a lot of teaching time.
Fang Wen thought much foundational teaching could be left to Pan Jiafeng, who had trained flight apprentices at Taishan Airlines.
Brushing aside thoughts, his mind returned to this long-range air transport.
For the newly formed Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, this transport delivered 2 tons of compressed rations and 10,000 rounds of 7.92mm bullets.
Though not much supplies, it was a rare supplement for the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army deep behind enemy lines.
To ensure success, the flight path had to be steady and safe.
Thus, split into two nights of flight.
First night: Yangon——Yichang Seaplane Airport（Yangtze River）——Hancheng Seaplane Airport（Yellow River）
The stop in Yichang was to load a batch of cotton-padded jackets for the Anti-Japanese Allied Army soldiers to keep warm.
Second night direct to Tangyuan County in Heilongjiang, then return that night, refuel at Hancheng Seaplane Airport, and finally back to Yangon.
Time passed bit by bit.
The Xuanming flew at 4000 meters altitude.
Under night cover, crossing over 2100 kilometers in 10.5 hours to the Taishan Seaplane Airport near Yichang.
Fang Wen activated the radio device but used a non-aviation frequency to call.
“White Magnolia has arrived, calling ground.”
Moments later, ground responded: “303 received, ground guidance in progress.”
Using passwords; mismatch would mean trouble. Fortunately, nothing happened.
Then the seaplane airport lit up with flashes of fire for guidance.
Fang Wen controlled the airplane to land.
After taxiing, the airplane landed on the water surface.
Then a small steamship came over.
Sun Debiao stood at the bow, directing personnel to move the loaded supplies to the bow, then Pan Jiafeng and the three Red Army pilots loaded them onto the airplane.
After supplies were loaded, Sun Debiao talked with Pan Jiafeng.
“Tell the General Manager, everyone involved tonight doesn’t know what they’re doing. And they know the rules for such night operations; they won’t talk.”
Pan Jiafeng nodded, bid Sun Debiao farewell, and the airplane closed the hatch.
After reporting the situation, the airplane took off immediately.
Over 2 hours later, the airplane arrived at Hancheng Seaplane Airport over 500 kilometers away.
By then, the sky was slightly bright.
Fang Wen looked down from the sky: on the west bank of the Yellow River channel was an ancient city—Hancheng.
And on the river cliffs on both sides near the county town, there were many buildings.
These buildings along the Yellow River formed the town, and the seaplane airport was there.
After simple radio communication, the airplane landed at the seaplane airport.
Fang Wen came down from the cockpit and informed the 4 in the cabin.
“We’ll stay here during the day, rest 4 hours inside the airplane, then go with me to the county town to play.”
Pan Jiafeng asked puzzled, “General Manager, we fly again at night; isn’t more rest time better?”
“You think it’s really playing? It’s acting.” Fang Wen explained: “Nominally I’m here for leisure, that’s why the airplane stops again; of course we show it to outsiders. You four as escorts must act too; don’t mess it up.”
Pan Jiafeng immediately understood and asked no more. The three Red Army flight cadets showed no reaction; they’d experienced such things often and found it normal.
（Republic of China Hancheng Yellow River bank）
The 4-hour rest ended.
Fang Wen had rested early; the three Red Army flight cadets got up on time.
Pan Jiafeng was still sleepy but hurried to get up seeing everyone else up.
Hatch opened; Fang Wen’s group exited the cabin, walked along the floatboard to the airport dock.
The dock had a steep slanted stone staircase chiseled into the riverbank cliff walls, with wooden railings on both sides to prevent accidents.
Fang Wen’s five climbed the staircase to the town on the Yellow River bank.
This was originally an abandoned Yellow River ferry, now revived due to the rise of seaplane routes.
Fang Wen strolled through the town.
He first checked his own seaplane airport operations.
Passengers waiting to board seaplanes sat in the adjacent seaplane waiting room, with boxes beside them, even pets.
Seaplanes originally couldn’t carry live animals; this was Fang Wen’s special rule, since airplane space was narrow and loose animals could cause trouble.
But this was hard to enforce; those madams insisted on bringing them. With more seaplane routes, it became a big issue. Under mass protests, the rule was canceled, changed to allowing only small cat and dog pets.
Fang Wen passed the waiting room; ahead was ticketing and the office building, where several passengers were buying tickets.
Without internet linkage, selling tickets for the entire Yellow River route was complex.
From the starting point, telegraph operators at all seaplane airport stations began passing passenger info. How many disembarked at each station, how many tickets available for resale—all needed telegraph operators to summarize info for the airport manager, who would make ticketing plans based on the situation.
Speak of the manager, and he appeared.
Hancheng Seaplane Airport manager came over with a smiling face.
