Chapter 48: 48, First Private Airplane, Airplane Paint Job, Heading South To Guangzhou
Fang Wen activated the Potez 25’s piston engine.
The fuselage began to vibrate.
It was somewhat different from before.
The power felt stronger.
He could feel that after replacing, cleaning, and repairing the various problematic parts, the piston engine had regained its vitality.
He decided to do a real flight to test it.
Since there were no flights at the airport, after greeting the control tower on duty, the airplane accelerated on the runway and took off into the air.
After climbing all the way to an altitude of over four thousand meters, the engine ran normally throughout the process, even with more power than before.
Looking at the white clouds outside the window, Fang Wen felt a unique emotion in his heart.
The current feeling was different from flying passenger aircraft in civil aviation or piloting military aircraft on missions.
This was his own private airplane, and in the Republic of China’s sky, he could fly however he wanted.
Inevitably, he thought of a song and, carried away by excitement, temporarily adapted and hummed it.
“I am a big bird, flying as high as I want”
While humming the song, he piloted the airplane circling in the high sky, overlooking the farmland, roads, and city below—how delightful.
After flying a few circles and confirming the airplane had no problems, he landed on the airport runway.
The cabin cover opened, Fang Wen got off the airplane, walked to the edge of the runway, and said to the two coppersmiths: “The stuff is good, usable. How much should I pay?”
“Sir, it didn’t take much effort. Just give one silver dollar.” The old coppersmith replied.
Just one silver dollar! Fang Wen recalled that staying one night at the West Lake Hotel cost 10 silver dollars. The wealth gap in this era was extraordinarily high.
Rich people fly airplanes, stay in high-end hotels, casually spending 10 silver dollars.
For someone like the old coppersmith who lived off his craft, earning 1 silver dollar after a hard day’s work was already good.
Giving so little wouldn’t do; they had helped him greatly, and they might be useful in the future.
Fang Wen said to Uncle Fang: “Uncle Fang, settle 10 silver dollars for them. The extra is a reward. By the way, ask them if they know any skilled painters. I want to have the airplane exterior painted.”
Fang Shouxin communicated with the coppersmith father and son, then replied: “There’s a painter in a nearby temple who usually takes jobs from several temples, painting Buddha statues and making wall paintings. It’s just unknown if he can do airplane paint surfaces.”
“Find him and come talk.”
Immediately, Fang Shouxin left with the coppersmith father and son.
Taking advantage of this gap, Fang Wen called Fang Shun over.
“Shunzi, didn’t you want to see the sky? Now’s the time.”
“Young Master, I’m scared. I’ve never left the ground in my life.” Shunzi nervously wiped his hands on his pants.
“Don’t be afraid. You’ll be flying often in the future. Treat this as an experience.”
Fang Wen pushed the boarding ladder to the rear pilot seat, let Shunzi climb up, then boarded the airplane himself and took off again.
The airplane circled twice in the sky before landing.
Shunzi couldn’t wait to slide down the boarding ladder, rushed to the grass by the runway, and vomited loudly.
At this time, Fang Shouxin also returned with someone. Seeing his son like this, he asked with concern: “Shunzi, what’s wrong with you?”
“Dad, I’m fine. The Young Master said it’s airsickness; it’ll be better after a few more flights.” After Shunzi spoke, he started vomiting again—quite a strong reaction.
Seeing his son was fine, Fang Shouxin no longer worried about it and walked toward Fang Wen with the person.
“This is Painter Wang from the temple. I explained the situation, but he doesn’t know if it can be done, so I brought him to see.”
Fang Wen pointed to the airplane behind him: “I need you to paint the entire airplane.”
Painter Wang didn’t answer immediately but walked to the front of the airplane and looked left and right.
“It can be done, but this flying object has both wooden and metal fuselage. It needs high-quality tung oil as base, then apply the paint surface. Just don’t know what you want drawn on it?”
Fang Wen pondered in his heart.
What should his private airplane be made into?
It needed to be both aesthetic and practical.
In wartime, conspicuous colors like black and red couldn’t be used for airplane paint surfaces, as that would make the airplane easily locked by enemy sights.
Best to match the sky’s color while having beauty.
He discussed it with the painter.
Three days later, the paint surface was done.
The airplane was painted gray-white overall, with white clouds, blue and white porcelain patterns, and textures on it.
This made the airplane distinctly Chinese in style, with a touch of elegance.
And on the lower right corner of the airplane’s left side, there was also a drawing of a warship split open in the middle.
This marked the glory of this fighter jet in the past.
At this time, the reply from the Aviation Bureau also arrived.
Fang Wen eagerly tore open the letter and read the contents inside.
“Dear Fang Wen:
Upon reading your letter, it feels like meeting face-to-face.
I recently received your letter and learned of your ambition to start a private airline company to develop the aviation undertaking. It is truly an inspiring and praiseworthy aspiration.
The path of aviation is a symbol of today’s advanced technology and an important mark of national prosperity and ethnic revival. Starting a private airline company requires not only substantial funds and technical support, but also foresight and firm determination. Though I am not expert in management, I know the difficulties and challenges involved. However, I firmly believe that as long as you remain determined and forge ahead courageously, you will overcome all difficulties and realize your ideal.
As for specific preparations and operations, I suggest you start with market research to understand the current aviation market’s demands and competitive landscape. At the same time, actively seek partners and technical support to ensure the company’s steady development. Additionally, you must pay attention to relevant legal requirements to ensure compliant operations.
I know you have always been diligent and studious, and you will surely devote yourself to the aviation undertaking with this spirit. I hope you stay true to your original aspiration and press on, contributing your strength to the development of our country’s aviation cause.
P.S., The Guangzhou government was dissolved last December. The Aviation Bureau and the superior Ministry of Communications will move to Nanjing after the Shanghai Warfare. If you wish to proceed, come to Guangzhou quickly. There is a noble person who can lend you a hand.”
The entire letter’s content, the truly meaningful part was the last sentence.
Fang Wen also understood Instructor Liu’s current situation.
In the 19th year of the Republic of China, when Fang Wen had just transmigrated, Instructor Liu also left the flight school to join the Aviation Bureau.
But he wasn’t prominent in the Aviation Bureau.
In the subsequent Central Plains War, the Northeast Army reoccupied Beiping, and this northern government was disbanded.
Instructor Liu and the others from the Aviation Bureau went to the newly established aviation management department under the Guangzhou National Government’s Ministry of Communications.
Who knew that not long after, the Guangzhou National Government disbanded again.
They had to move to Nanjing.
But that could only happen after the ceasefire agreement was signed.
Before then, the Ministry of Communications still had to continue operating in Guangzhou.
That was why there was the last sentence.
It seemed that people there were interested in the private airline company matter.
As long as they were interested, there was a chance of success.
Fang Wen immediately found Shopkeeper Liu and took him to pilot the airplane to Guangzhou.
