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Tell the two to calm down. Just as Xia Yu was about to get out of the car, the half-closed hangar door was pushed open, creating a passageway large enough for a truck to pass through.
"Domi, drive in!"
Seeing what the other party meant, Xia Yu told Duomi to continue driving inside, with another car following closely behind.
Only three of the four lights in the hangar were on, casting a dim yellow glow that illuminated the two tall aircraft covered with tarpaulins below.
Two?
So that's how it is!
Xia Yu finally understood what was going on; the seller was planning to sell two at once.
Judging from the appearance of having a large inventory, it goes without saying who this seller is.
*Smack!*
The people in the car behind got off first. The one leading them was a long-haired man with a small mustache on his chin, exuding an artistic air.
Xia Yu also got out of the car. Their eyes met, and after looking each other over, they nodded to one another.
“I am Paul, and you must be the representatives of the Afica War Museum and Jet Art Aviation.”
An elderly white man, over sixty years old, with a large belly, a white beard but no hair, came to greet them.
Beneath its unremarkable exterior, however, lingers the marks of a soldier.
He should have retired a few years ago; his civilian status is more suited to being in the spotlight.
"Yes, I am Hel, the president of Jet Art!"
The long-haired guy shook hands with Paul.
"I am Sherlock, the curator of the War Museum. This is my business card."
Xia Yu shook hands with the two men and exchanged business cards.
Because it was a legitimate purchase, he used his public persona this time.
Jihuo Defense is about to acquire fighter jets. This intelligence is currently classified, but it will eventually be revealed.
Instead of letting major companies and intelligence agencies dig deep into the matter, it's better to selectively expose some unimportant information yourself.
As for the fighter jets that have been mothballed and stored for many years, they can take off and carry out combat missions in just a few days.
Xia Yu wasn't too worried about whether this would attract outside attention.
Who said the Harrier that took off was the one he just bought? The British have sold countless fighter jets with untraceable serial numbers over the past few decades. Xia Yu's procurement is just like Lao Mei's, dismantling parts.
"Sherlock, did you also buy it for repair? Our company has several RAF air force technicians. We can communicate if problems arise during the repair process."
The long-haired guy looks cool, but he's surprisingly enthusiastic when he opens his mouth.
After all, the secondhand military aircraft market is only so big, and every time a new person joins, it's something to celebrate.
"Sure, once our museum officially opens, you must come and visit if you have time. It will definitely be worth the trip."
Xia Yu extended an invitation to Hel.
He enjoys making friends, as long as they aren't bandits or robbers like the one in the white top hat.
The other party's maintenance is measured in years, while Xia Yu's maintenance is measured in hours.
"Then I'll definitely go then, maybe I'll get to fly this Harrier."
Hel said with great interest.
The Harrier has a short range, but its weapon systems can be removed to make it a civilian aircraft. With four external fuel tanks mounted on its belly and wings, it still has a range of 3,300 kilometers one way.
If you switch to a C130-H, it'll only have a range of 3800 kilometers.
Crossing the European and African continents is quite easy as long as you refuel once along the way.
"Alright, gentlemen, let's take a look at your planes first!"
As Paul spoke, he instructed his staff to remove the covers from the two Harrier jets, revealing the "decrepit" old fuselages underneath.
After all, these are aircraft that have been retired for many years. Repainting them is simple, but getting them back into the blue sky is a huge undertaking.
"The Harrier GR3, serial number cZ130, is an older model, but it participated in the Arkham War."
Paul first introduced Hull to his Harrier style.
A total of 122 of these initial models were produced that year. They were powered by a Pegasus 11-21 (mk103) military turbofan engine with a maximum thrust of 95.6 kN.
Because of their vertical/short takeoff and landing capabilities, not only Sea Harriers were sent to the Isle of Marshall, but also 10 Harriers. They flew 126 sorties throughout the war, with 3 lost in combat.
There were no losses in air-to-air combat; they were all shot down by ground-to-air attacks.
In addition, these early models also had a high accident rate.
The third brother next door only bought 30 planes in total, and more than half of them have already crashed.
Xia Yu could only silently wish this guy well on the road, and that he would use ejection if necessary.
"The price we agreed on?"
After inspecting the GR3, the two accompanying technicians, Hull and Paul, discussed the price.
"Yes, it's £105,000 in total."
Paul confirmed.
And so, Hull acquired this behemoth, which originally cost £8 million, at a bargain price.
Since it can't fly and is an early model, this is the price range it can only command.
To prepare it for flight, Hull will need to invest at least several hundred thousand pounds more.
After signing the contract and paying the money, everyone arrived at Xia Yu's Harrier jet.
"Sea Harrier FRS.mK2, unit number Zh811, this is a brand new Sea Harrier delivered by bAE, not one of those FRS.mK1s that have been modified and upgraded later."
Paul proudly introduced it.
Because the FRS.mK1 had a crash record, but this batch of FRS.mK2s were all retired from delivery in 2006, and there was no crash record in more than ten years.
This is outrageous; even a rebellious son wouldn't do this.
The AV8b, which inherited the Harrier's reputation as a "widow-making machine," was involved in 148 major accidents during peacetime, resulting in the deaths of 45 pilots. Its high accident rate was alarming.
Even if Xia Yu bought the cheaper FRS.mK1, he felt the system wouldn't just abandon him, but he didn't care about the extra tens of thousands of euros, so he just bought the better FRS.mK2 (in fact, FRS.mK1 was also out of stock).
"Is its radar still working?"
Xia Yu doesn't have X-ray vision, so he can't see if the Blue Fox all-weather PD fire control radar is inside the nose of the aircraft.
The low accident rate is only one aspect; on the other hand, the FRS.mK2 is the first Harrier model with beyond-visual-range strike capability, capable of carrying AMRAAM-120 air-to-air missiles.
Although the Blue Fox is only a pulse-Doppler radar, which is not as good as an active phased array radar, and although this FRS.mK2 can most likely only print out the old version of the AIm-120A or AIm-120b.
But in Afica, aren't these enough?
That's enough, damn enough.
Xia Yu could even print a few more AIM-120s and find an opportunity to assemble a vehicle-mounted air defense radar (any of the former Sulian will do), integrate it with the system's modification function, and make it specifically responsible for the air defense of Bogo Village. Wouldn't that be better than any shoulder-mounted type?
It's quite expensive though. Old Magnesium himself gets his stock for 500,000 per shot (C-type), but he doesn't charge much when selling to others, only about 2 million per shot.
Xia Yu estimated that the cost of materials printed by the system would not be cheap, and it would definitely cost at least 50,000 to 60,000 dollars per shipment.
That price is equivalent to a BMW X5. If he hadn't made money from several orders, he might not have been able to afford it.
"Sorry, we have regulations; it's part of the weapon system."
Paul said regretfully.
Without removing the weapons systems, this Harrier is not a civilian aircraft in the legal sense and cannot be sold to foreign companies.
However, methods are fixed, but people are flexible. You can just buy the dismantled radar!
Understanding Paul's implication, Xia Yu decided to pay an extra sum.
The Blue Fox weighs approximately 145 kg, while the Sea Harrier weighs less than 7 tons empty. With the other weapon systems removed, it should be at least 70% intact.
It's possible to maintain the radar without it, but buying it would save a lot of time.
Sea Harrier €470,000, Blue Fox €30,000, totaling €500,000.
One Harrier is worth four Harriers for others, which seems like a bad deal, but Xia Yu doesn't lose out.
"By the way, do you have any F4s in good condition for sale?"
After signing the contract, Xia Yu took out 500,000 euros in cash (25 stacks of 200 euro notes) and asked Paul for details.
It is true that the company does not have an airport runway now, but that does not mean it will never have one.
If all else fails, we can repair a shorter one first.
They salvaged a secondhand steam catapult from a decommissioned aircraft carrier and put it into use on land.
"Yes, we have both F4m and F4K. Which one do you want?"
It was a rare opportunity to encounter such a generous customer, so Paul quickly began promoting his product.
After HMS Ark Royal was decommissioned in 1978, all 28 of the Navy's F4Ks were transferred to the Air Force, and because of their small number, they were in better condition than the weathered F4ms.
"F4K, I like the ones that can be deployed on ships."
Xia Yu made her choice.
The landing gear of carrier-based aircraft is more robust than that of the land-based version of the same model, and its application range is also wider.
The price is only 250,000 euros, while the F4m in similar condition is only 200,000 euros. The rarity of the product is proportional to the premium.
Once it's ready for takeoff, selling it for 2.5 million euros (10 times the original price) is no problem. If it's ready for combat missions, doubling the price again to 5 million euros is also negotiable.
This is a second-generation aircraft; upgrading to a third-generation aircraft would cost ten times more.
Taking into account Jihuo Defense's current finances, scale, business, and rival companies, operating a second-generation Harrier is the most suitable option.
Paired with a second-generation F4K as a flying taxi, its speed of Mach 1.9 was comparable only to the Concorde when it was still in operation in the civil aviation industry; now, it is unmatched.
The MiG-25 in the same category is faster, but Xia Yu doesn't have time to search for one right now. He can collect one when he has the chance in the future.
After signing the second contract, Xia Yu paid the money and received two exit documents, guaranteeing that the two planes could legally leave the country.
Hull doesn't need to; his company is in England. However, once the preparations are complete, each takeoff will be subject to official supervision.
In this regard, Afica is still the best option. You might need to be careful in Busa, but you can fly freely in Kongluga Island.
"Boss, should we paint the wildlife conservation logo on it too?"
At the seaside dozens of kilometers away, Hans looked at the sea harrier in front of him and asked.
"Female deer are herbivores, but hawks are carnivores."
Xia Yu replied without hesitation.
When the fuselage is covered with missiles, even if it's painted with a big red cross, people will still mistake it for the Iron Cross.
"Will we still have time to get the plane back?"
Hans then raised a more practical issue.
Even with the fastest ship, it would take at least a week to get back to Kongluga by sea.
"Our real cargo is actually this."
Xia Yu kicked the Blue Fox radar next to the Harrier's landing gear.
"I still have a Sea Harrier that can take off at any time, but it's missing a Doppler radar."
Some things need to be clearly communicated with the guys first, otherwise a fighter jet that has been parked for more than ten years can be refueled and taken off again.
This is a supernatural phenomenon. We need to find a way to make Hans and his team's logic consistent.
"I understand, boss, you bought this plane to disassemble parts."
Hans's words made everyone suddenly realize the truth.
Just as spare parts can be removed from stockpiled tanks, the same operation can be performed on stockpiled fighter jets.
In addition, although they didn't say it, they all knew that Xia Yu had a very powerful background.
The level of integration of the Weasel S30 is something that small workshops can't modify; nowadays, even fighter jets are being refurbished by people.
The only thing I can't help with is when the radar is incompatible, or when there's no time to modify it, and you have to find an original one.
I understand now, I understand now, so that's how it is.
"So you don't need to worry about being late. The two planes will be transported by sea. You should get to Algierya first, and Busa's military plane will take you back to Kongluga along the way."
Xia Yu then explained the upcoming arrangements to everyone.
That C130-H had already made one round trip between Europe and Africa; this was the second batch, but he couldn't go with it.
"It's x8!"
The crowd obeyed the order.
Talk less, work more, and don't pry into other people's affairs. You can't go wrong doing this anywhere.
Xia Yu and Domi split into two flatbed trucks and headed towards the port, while two Range Rovers led the way and brought up the rear.
Such a convoy inevitably attracted the attention of local patrol officers, but fortunately, the two documents Paul provided were very useful.
After reporting to the authorities and receiving permission to proceed, they proactively activated their sirens and cleared a path for them.
"It would be even better if it were a motorcycle, preferably a BMW."
The iron cavalry would be more impressive, though their rank wouldn't be high enough.
"You've gone too far. They're just trying to avoid attracting unnecessary attention and want to get us out of here as soon as possible."
Although it was covered with a shroud, the outline was still clearly visible, so it's better for everyone to get rid of it sooner rather than later.
The convoy soon arrived at the port, where the cargo ship that Xia Yu had rented had been waiting for a long time.
It was a size smaller than the cargo ship he had rented last time, but it was still a two-story structure. He used a marine crane to put the Harrier into the hold, then covered it with bulkheads, then hoisted in the F4K Phantom, and finally sealed it.
Xia Yu climbed the ladder to the bottom cabin and put the sea harrier directly into the system hangar.
All done!
[Project: Sea Harrier FRS.mK2]
Completeness: 86.7% (Ready for repair)
Looking at the system interface, Xia Yu first selected to print the weapon.
As expected of a fighter jet, it has a much longer list of options than tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
In addition to the most basic cannon bullets and rockets, there are also various missiles and bombs.
[Close-range air-to-air missile: AIm-9L (printable)]
Medium-range air-to-air missile: AIM-120b (printable)
...
Sure enough, it was the earlier model B.
What is actually mounted determines what will be printed, so Xia Yu chose the classic 4+2 mode.
Specifically, the gun pods on both sides are removed, and two AIM-120B and four AIM-9L cannons are mounted on the six pylons on both sides.
Xia Yu received accurate intelligence from Maxim that the White Hats had two fighter squadrons.
One is the Etendard Squadron, which has 3 Super Etendards, and the other is the Mirage Squadron, which has 1 Mirage F1 and 2 Mirage IIIs.
All six are second-generation fighter jets, with the Mirage F1 being the most powerful of them all.
According to Maxim's deduction, it was impossible for White Hat to send all six fighter jets to deal with concentrated fire defense, especially without knowing that the opponent possessed fighter jets.
Even if they manage to send out a single squadron, six rounds would be more than enough.
The Mirage III/5 is definitely inferior to the Harrier. What do you all think of the Mirage F1 and this version of the Sea Harrier in terms of combat power?
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