Chapter 242 Ciel's Class
Charles didn't care about Kobdo's trap.
At most, Xiaer cooperated with Kobdo in interviews to continue to increase his popularity and support rate in the "Meritorious Newspaper".
However, these interviews had nothing to do with airports and the incorporation of army aircraft. Instead, the focus shifted to supplies for the front line. For example, Charles would continue to donate marching blankets and socks to the front line, as well as food, cigarettes and other supplies.
Even Kobdo revealed such information in several articles: Charles had no interest in incorporating army aircraft. Charles believed that quality of soldiers was more important than quantity. He had an elite flying unit with the highest quality in the world, and allowing a motley crowd to join would only add to his troubles.
Kobdo understood human nature. He knew that "asking for help" and "being asked for help" were completely different, although both involved incorporating army aircraft.
If Charles adopts a "seeking help" attitude and offers various favorable conditions to call on the army pilots to join, the pilots will be on guard: "Is Charles so eager to let us join for some purpose? Is it dangerous?"
But if Charles acted as if he was rejecting us, the pilots would get anxious: Look, Charles doesn’t want us, it must be that we haven’t met his requirements or we have some difficulties, we should work harder to win us over!
As a result, they flocked to it like a flock of carp crossing the river.
During this period, Charles focused his attention on aerial bombs and the Caproni bomber.
He believed that using fighter planes to engage in tail-and-shooting of German planes one by one was too inefficient. Bombers could directly take out enemy planes, pilots, and even backup pilots without any effort, which would be a real pleasure!
The development of the aerial bomb was very fast. After all, it was handled by the Saint-Etienne Arsenal, which had experience, foundation and talent. It took only one week to develop it successfully, and its performance was very stable after testing.
The Caproni bomber took a little longer, with Eric and the research department producing three prototypes in two and a half weeks.
They originally thought that it would take at least a few weeks of test flights to fix any deficiencies before mass production could begin.
However, the success of the test flight was beyond everyone's expectations. Its performance was outstanding and it could fly at a speed of 113 kilometers per hour even with a load of 800 kilograms.
This made Eric overjoyed, and he excitedly reported to Charles on the phone:
"This is simply a miracle, Colonel. We once doubted whether it was a tested or even improved model."
“It’s hard to imagine that the prototype can be so perfect.”
"113 kilometers per hour, do you know what this means?"
"It will probably be the safest dedicated bomber in the world!"
Charles knew what Eric meant. Currently, most fighter jets, such as the Avro, have a speed of only about 100 kilometers per hour, and the German fighter jets are no exception.
The Caproni bomber, equipped with three engines, could fly at a speed of 113 kilometers per hour when carrying a heavy load.
All fighter planes, whether their own or the enemy's, could not keep up with Caproni, and of course it was impossible to bite its tail and shoot it down.
This means that it does not need fighter escort at all. It can go straight into the enemy camp to bomb it and escape safely.
Charles calmly told Eric a few things:
“I hope that the R&D department will continue to increase the engine horsepower.”
"Also, mass-produce bombers, and try to produce 20 within two weeks."
"At the same time, the development of single-seat fighter jets can also be put on the agenda!"
Eric responded excitedly, "Yes, Colonel!"
Then he couldn't help but sigh: "We may create a miracle in aviation history!"
Charles didn't want to create any miracle in aviation history, he just wanted the bombers to always maintain their speed advantage.
One day, when the Germans increased the engine horsepower so that their fighters could catch up with the 100-horsepower Caproni, Charles developed a 150-horsepower engine.
As a result, the speed of bombers will once again surpass that of German fighters, and German airports will still only be able to groan under the wings of bombers.
This would make air combat easier, because German pilots would have to stay on their toes while worrying about being bombed while fighting.
…
The snow stopped that day, and the sunlight shining on the snow was so bright that it was dazzling.
Charles took some time to visit the Carter Flying Club. He wanted to know about the training situation of the pilots of the First Squadron.
When the car was in the airport, Carter was gesticulating and lecturing to students in a classroom on the first floor.
The people attending the class seemed to be new pilots. They did not have the old and weathered look on their faces like Carter and his team, but were more innocent and passionate.
However, Carter's teaching ability seemed to be not very good, and the class was dull and a little depressing.
Carter also had a look of distress on his face, scratching his head anxiously. He and the students seemed to be performing a process of "torturing each other".
Carter saw Charles coming in from a distance, so he nodded to the students and asked, "Haven't you always wanted to see Colonel Charles?"
The students perked up and sat up straight.
Carter smiled and waved to Charles outside the door. The students exclaimed in unison. Could it be that the young colonel in front of them was Charles?
Carter stepped forward and shook hands with Charles, and said helplessly, "Say a few words, Colonel. Many of them joined our flight group because they wanted to see you. They don't want to attend the class at all."
The classroom was silent for a few seconds, and the students finally confirmed that it was Charles in front of them. Warm applause broke out in the classroom.
Charles walked up to the podium slowly and said in a steady tone, "Hello, gentlemen. If you joined the flying squadron because you wanted to see me, you may be disappointed. Because you may see me more often on the streets of Paris than here."
The trainees laughed knowingly. Many of them had indeed made this mistake. They thought that Charles was the captain of the flying squadron and that they could become Charles' subordinates here.
But the fact is that Charles rarely visits the flying club once a month.
When the laughter died down, Charles asked a question: "Do you know what the difference is between the Flying Squadron and other branches of the military?"
The students were silent for a while, and then answered one after another:
"The flying squadron fights the enemy in the air, Colonel."
"We have more speed!"
"We have more women like it!"
…
The students burst into laughter, and Carter glared at him. The students quickly stopped laughing, but still had a smile on their faces.
This is the nature of pilots. They should be free and have their own personality. If they follow the rules in everything, it will be difficult for them to become a good pilot.
Charles did not lose his temper. He answered word by word: "I think the biggest difference is that you are all alone, gentlemen. You can only rely on yourself on the battlefield. No one can help you!"
The students' expressions became solemn, and some of them nodded silently.
They knew what Charles meant. Air combat during this period lacked basic communication equipment. It was difficult for aircraft to coordinate with each other. They could only rely on themselves. They would bite the enemy's tail or be bitten by the enemy. The aircraft would malfunction, leak oil, or even be hit by the enemy and fall...
You have to rely on yourself for everything until you take the last step.
Sometimes, even if there are comrades watching by your side, they still can’t help and can only watch it all happen.
(End of this chapter)
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