Chapter 49: 49, Modifying Auxiliary Fuel Tanks, 1400 Km Ultra-long Flight, Landing In Guangzhou
The straight-line distance from Nanjing to Guangzhou is 1400 kilometers, but in this era, traveling by land is at least 1600 kilometers, and by sea and land it’s even more troublesome because of the Shanghai situation.
Fortunately, now there’s the Potez 25, which only needs 7 hours to arrive.
But the Potez 25’s maximum range is only 600 kilometers, so without intermediate stops, how to fly such a long distance.
Fang Wen thought it was possible; with his supernatural ability’s understanding of the airplane, as long as an auxiliary fuel tank was installed, the in-air endurance problem could be solved.
But where to install the auxiliary fuel tank?
The bomb rack on the belly could perfectly solve this problem.
Once the auxiliary fuel tank was installed with the hook, it could be hung on the bomb rack, then make an oil line switching device.
In the first half of the flight, prioritize fuel supply from the auxiliary fuel tank, and switch to the main fuel tank in the second half.
Moreover, this auxiliary fuel tank could be released via the bomb release device and discarded in the air to reduce the airplane’s tare weight.
This was a fighter jet configuration that only appeared during World War II, yet Fang Wen had made it ahead of time.
With the auxiliary fuel tank, the long-distance flight relay problem was solved.
But to fly there, there still needed to be an airport for landing.
In this era, the destination airport had to be contacted in advance to agree on a rough time, so that the Guangzhou side could reserve the runway.
For this, Fang Wen delayed another day before takeoff and contacted Instructor Liu via telegram, asking him to communicate with Guangzhou Airport.
The telegram they sent back indicated that landing could only be between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
This meant the airplane had to depart around 10 a.m.
The next morning, they ate breakfast in the airport canteen and packed a few steamed buns and pickled vegetables.
At 9:30, Fang Wen and Shopkeeper Liu boarded the airplane.
Howard drove the repair vehicle back from the other side of the runway, waving to signal that the path ahead was clear.
Immediately, the airplane accelerated on the runway and took off.
At high altitude, entering steady flight status, Fang Wen took out the compass and map to position the flight path.
The compass determined the heading, then compared with the map.
In an era without satellite navigation, pilots still had to compare observed ground landmarks with the map markings to ensure flying along the correct flight path.
And this flight’s landmark was the Yangtze River.
He quickly determined the heading and controlled the control stick to adjust direction.
Next came the long flight journey.
It was Shopkeeper Liu’s first time riding a fighter jet, and he was very interested.
He leaned out to look at the scenery below.
The airplane followed the Yangtze River, this natural landmark, flying southeast.
All the way to the Poyang Lake inlet, the airplane turned and crossed Poyang Lake.
After crossing Poyang Lake, they reached Nanchang.
Further south, the terrain gradually became complex, with hills and mountain land.
And at this time, it was time to switch fuel tanks.
Fang Wen turned a small knob under the dashboard in front of him.
In mechanical perception state, he clearly saw the auxiliary fuel tank’s oil pipe close and the main fuel tank’s oil pipe open.
After switching from auxiliary to main fuel tank, the remaining 500 kilometers of range would be supplied by the main fuel tank.
After a 1400-kilometer range and over 7 hours of flight, the airplane finally arrived over Guangzhou.
As Instructor Liu said, the landing airport was inside Guangzhou City.
The specific location was: north bank of the Pearl River, a bit above the river island, with Dongshan Lake nearby.
These weren’t marked on the map.
Fang Wen had to find it himself.
He controlled the airplane to circle in the sky above Guangzhou City.
Guangzhou City in the Republic of China era was surprisingly prosperous, with a very large area.
Lower in the urban area, there was a river running through it—that was the Pearl River.
Found it.
Fang Wen saw a river island in the lower reaches area of the Pearl River.
And on the river island was a not very large small lake.
That meant the airport was on the north bank higher up in this river section.
His gaze turned upstream of the Pearl River section, looking down to see a large open area.
There were faintly visible hangars and runway, and several seaplanes parked by the river.
After confirming it was here, Fang Wen continued circling in the air, waiting for ground instructions.
After a while, a signal came over the airplane radio station’s aviation frequency.
“This is Dashatou Airport ground control tower, cleared to land.”
Fang Wen controlled the airplane to confirm the landing direction and touched down on the airport runway.
Then, ground staff waved flags, directing Fang Wen to taxi the airplane off the runway and park at an empty spot.
It was finally over.
Fang Wen got off the airplane and stretched his body.
Shopkeeper Liu slowly climbed down the boarding ladder, his legs suddenly went weak, and he couldn’t stand.
“My legs are numb.” Shopkeeper Liu said sheepishly.
“Normal, fighter jets aren’t as comfortable as passenger aircraft, and this was a long flight; rest and it’ll be fine.” Fang Wen explained with a smile.
The two waited by the airplane; as per the telegram agreement, Instructor Liu would come pick them up.
After a while.
Instructor Liu, dressed in a plaid suit, walked over.
He enthusiastically shook hands with Fang Wen.
“Fang Wen, it’s been over a year, you’ve changed a lot.”
“Instructor, you’ve changed a lot too. By the way, this person beside me is Shopkeeper Liu, he’s the company’s shareholder representative, and he came with me to check the situation.”
Instructor Liu shook hands with Shopkeeper Liu: “Pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you; we both have the surname Liu, we must be from the same family five hundred years ago.”
The three chatted, building rapport, then Instructor Liu looked at the airplane.
Instinctively walking to the airplane’s side, he reached out to touch it.
“Potez 25, the Northeast Army’s main fighter jet from a few years ago, much better than our Nanyuan Flight School’s trainer aircraft; you kid actually got one, and repainted it—I almost didn’t recognize it. Huh, what does this warship pattern mean?”
As Instructor Liu’s student, Fang Wen couldn’t help feeling a bit proud, like reporting his post-graduation achievements to his teacher; he explained, “This airplane is the one that bombed and sank the Izumo.”
“A meritorious aircraft; tell me how you got it. Wait, not convenient here, let’s go to Xian Shi Company.”
With that, Instructor Liu pulled Fang Wen’s hand and walked out of the airport, with Shopkeeper Liu following closely.
They got into a black sedan.
Xian Shi Company was located in a bustling urban area, with department store, hotel, catering, etc.
It was a place where Guangzhou’s officials and nobles often came to relax.
The hotel Fang Wen and Shopkeeper Liu went to had a sign reading “Xian Shi Company Global Goods Guangdong Travel East Asia Grand Hotel”.
Entering the hotel, Instructor Liu arranged a quiet private room, then went out alone to make a phone call before returning.
He smiled and said, “I’ve contacted the person; probably another half hour. Let’s talk about the bombing of the Izumo first.”
Fang Wen nodded and spoke leisurely.
He and Instructor Liu shared a common language; many details he mentioned were understood by the other.
The dangers involved quickly infected Instructor Liu, who couldn’t help sighing.
“After hearing what you said, I think this air raid was extremely difficult to succeed: three times the enemy aircraft, and the Izumo itself had decent anti-air capability. If not for your luck, with the bomb landing exactly in the vulnerable central position, it really might not have worked.”
Fang Wen smiled and nodded: “Yeah, I’ve always been lucky.”
“No, this is China’s national fortune protecting you, that’s why you hit from thousands of meters high.”
But this wasn’t said by Instructor Liu.
Fang Wen looked over; it was a slightly plump man wearing a trench coat and wide-brimmed hat.
Instructor Liu quickly stood up and introduced: “This is Yan Bangfu; whether your matter succeeds depends on him.”
Fang Wen and Shopkeeper Liu stood up in response.
The other man took off his overcoat and hat, hanging them on the coat rack.
Sitting down, he said: “Let’s sit and talk. I’m just making the introduction; they can’t come forward conveniently, but you need to explain the situation clearly, so I can report back to him.”
Fang Wen noticed his hands, wearing white gloves.
