Over the next week, Xia Yu finally finished preparing the BS-5 steam catapult, and then disassembled the entire system, including the open cylinder, U-shaped sealing strip, air guide pipe, catapult air tank, catapult track, etc.
The vacated slot will be used to install a US H4 hydraulic-mechanical catapult, which served in the mid-WWII period and was the best performing at the time. It can accelerate a 7.3-ton carrier-based aircraft to 78.3 knots in a distance of 31.7 meters.
It's more than enough for launching those old World War II relics. The force of the BS-5 is too great; I always feel like it will tear the landing gear off.
Of course, the performance improvement of the H8 variant after the war was relatively mild, accelerating the 7-ton carrier-based aircraft to a speed of 105 knots. If it took advantage of the east wind and a deck wind of 24 knots, it could even launch a fully loaded 9.363-ton F9F fighter jet into the air.
With a travel of 53.1 meters, the slot after the removal of the BS-5 was shorter, so it would be better to just use the 31.7-meter H4 type. Anyway, the old carrier-based aircraft is light enough to take off without a catapult.
It's just that the catapult is necessary for the performance to be visually appealing.
Many of the aircraft carriers that the US Navy dismantled during World War II were either rented or sold, with only a few lucky ones becoming museums.
The good news is that at least double digits of various models of valuable shipbreaking components, such as hydraulic mechanical catapults, have been preserved within the United States.
Xia Yu has already entrusted a secondhand military equipment dealer named Bruce in England to help him go to North America to find a set of H4 catapults.
It doesn't have to be good; a bad one is fine too, as long as too many parts are missing.
By covering the exposed slots on the deck with a newly printed U-shaped sealing strip, few people noticed that the displacement of the St. Paul had been reduced again and again.
The Xiayu underwent significant renovations, removing many cabin facilities and internal pipelines. With the ship no longer needing to support nearly two thousand crew members in long-term ocean operations, reducing its hull weight was justified.
The ship should be able to regain its weight after being refitted to a near-operational state, since in addition to the São Paulo Hotel and restaurant, aircraft will be added one by one, and groups of personnel will move in.
He also set up 10 double and four-person cabins for officers in the ship's living quarters, enough to accommodate all the official employees of the fire defense. The logistics staff and village guard members could only sleep in the 12-person soldier cabins.
As for Xia Yu himself, he naturally enjoyed the treatment of a quasi-captain.
As the highest commander of an aircraft carrier, the captain usually has two living quarters on the ship. One is the onboard living quarters on the bridge. Because the superstructure is very expensive, the area is relatively small, with only a bed, a desk, and a small bathroom.
The other is a cabin in Hong Kong comparable to a presidential suite, located next to the operations center, which includes a bedroom, private bathroom, dining room (which also serves as a conference room), and living room.
Xia Yu has already commissioned Philip to redesign and renovate the place, and he'll probably charge at least $50,000 to $60,000 a night.
This price is significantly higher than the presidential suite at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, but this wealthy guy is prepared to spend millions on board; would he be short of a mere fifty or sixty thousand?
No, Xia Yu is only worried that there won't be enough rooms available and he won't have any to stay in.
He instructed someone to move the luggage to the island superstructure. During the voyage, Xia Yu stayed in the captain's cabin, which was not large but had a good view.
As night falls after leaving the port, lying in bed, a turn of the head reveals a sky full of stars outside the porthole.
It would be even better if there was a girl on the other side of the double bed. Thinking of this, Xia Yu couldn't help but look towards the deck.
Liv, the company's only female employee, is unloading her luggage from the Mi-24V's troop transport compartment.
She has a pretty face, a slim figure, is intelligent and approachable, kind and generous, which perfectly matches Xia Yu's criteria for choosing a partner. Most importantly, she has eyebrows!
This is really rare in this era. Xia Yu had met women before when he was in China, but after getting closer, he found that none of these girls had eyebrows!
Or perhaps the eyebrows are drawn on, while the naturally growing ones are trimmed or shaved into the two small dots reminiscent of ancient Chinese women, which are very noticeable after makeup removal.
This is something Xia Yu cannot accept. Simple repairs are fine, but if it's repaired like that or completely destroyed, she would be terrified when she wakes up in the morning.
He's not afraid to sleep in cemeteries, but he's really terrified of this kind of "living female ghost."
Just when Xia Yu was preparing to find a normal girl, he went bankrupt and went abroad. Black Pearl really wasn't into that kind of thing. In addition, after obtaining the system and encountering unexpected events, he created Focused Fire Defense and grew it all the way up. Meanwhile, his personal problems have been dragging on until now.
As a traditionalist when it comes to relationships, Xia Yu dates with marriage in mind. He's like a tycoon with a harem—just watch and admire.
His emotions, time, and energy are all limited. Three women are equivalent to five hundred ducks, and Xia Yu would rather be with his iron clappers and aluminum alloys than count ducks.
It seems like I'm aging prematurely. Aren't men supposed to start liking fishing, collecting prayer beads, and buying tools in middle age?
Xia Yu suddenly realized that he was approaching thirty, not far from middle age, so this was quite normal.
Without his parents urging him, he began to seriously consider marriage.
It seems like it's time to find someone to spend the rest of my life with and have a basketball team's worth of kids.
Being poor means having fewer children, but Xia Yu is already rich. How can she possibly have two car crews to play combat games without having five or six kids?
This is probably the regret of being an only child. If conditions allow, and if they meet the right person, most of Xia Yu's peers would be willing to have more children.
Unfortunately, life is full of disappointments, and only a small number of people can meet such conditions.
After acquiring the system, Xia Yu's life was half complete. As for the other half, he planned to take care of it, which involved sending the other person's brother on a business trip. Wasn't that a bit unethical?
…………
"Buzz"
"Honey Badger, don't stop! Shift to fourth gear and let's keep going!"
In the Alynya desert, a Leclerc UAE is speeding along.
Having easily mastered the CN-120-26 120mm main gun, Hans has progressed from gunner training to commander training.
A gunner who doesn't want to be a tank commander isn't a good armored soldier. He had long harbored rebellious intentions and had always wanted to upgrade the Weasel crew to his Mongoose crew.
This is a good thing; Xia Yu will understand.
"I'll help!"
Upon hearing the boss's voice, Xia Yu took the medical kit from Liv's shoulder.
"Thank you, boss."
"No need to thank me, just call me Xia when there's no one else around."
The two walked into the cabin together, and Xia Yu took the initiative to close the distance between them, just like always.
"Thank you, Xia!"
Liv responded generously.
"It's nothing. Your brother told me you like hiking and mountain climbing."
Xia Yu naturally started talking about hobbies and interests.
"Yes, that's probably why my physical fitness is still pretty good. It's just that since I came to Afica, I haven't had the chance to get close to nature."
Liv's tone was somewhat regretful.
Being busy with work is one aspect, but another is that Doctors Without Borders is often deployed in war-torn regions.
For her own safety and to avoid causing trouble for her teachers and colleagues, she usually stays at the hospital.
After joining the Firepower Defense Force, during her training period at Ao Daliya, aside from the abundance of snakes and insects, Liv really enjoyed the openness and desolation of the place.
"If we have the chance to go to Afica in the east later, we can climb Mount Kilimanjaro together. Also, I have to go back to China next February. There are many famous mountains and rivers there. You and Hans can go with me to see them."
Xia Yu extended an invitation.
He prefers digging bases in the mountains to mountain climbing, but when it comes to pursuing a girl, it's essential to have shared interests.
"Really? When I was a kid, I always wanted to climb the world's highest peak. But when I grew up, I realized that it's a game for the rich. Not to mention the tens of thousands of euros in costs, you have to keep pushing your limits and become good enough to challenge for the world's number one."
Despite her aspirations, Liv is pragmatic; she would have to work for several years to save up enough money.
“At Jihuo Defense, you can save up enough money this year. But you’re right, we’re not Chabars. Having a strong physique isn’t enough. You need to accumulate enough mountaineering experience.”
Xia Yu agreed, saying that disrespecting nature can be fatal, except for those like him who have cheat codes. He has tens of tons of oxygen in the storage warehouse, and other supplies are not a problem. The only thing to be careful about is altitude sickness.
"The highest I've ever climbed is the Alps, with Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters. It's a good choice for those looking to advance their skills. The top ten mountains in China are all too difficult for me."
Liv said with a little hesitation.
It seems he really likes it. Xia Yu, a Chinese, only knows about Mount Everest and the second highest peak, K2, from the popular quiz show back then.
No one could explain things as clearly as Liv, a foreigner, counting on her fingers.
"Then let's not climb them for now, but go and see the mountains with a richer cultural heritage."
When it comes to hiking, the most important thing is who you climb with, and Xia Yu naturally became Liv's hiking buddy.
"Great! I like humanities too, but I'll have to trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all. I've been away from home for years and haven't really had a chance to see the scenery back home. This is an opportunity, I can't just focus on making money."
Xia Yu is not yet thirty years old, but he has traveled more in Afica than in other places. It's a pity, really. Let's not talk about those peaks for now. When we get back, let's take a walk around the area near our hometown.
After the baby is born... they've already had a baby, thankfully he hasn't decided on a name yet, otherwise the process would be too fast.
"Climbing mountains will take some time, but there's a good opportunity for hiking soon."
Xia Yu finally came up with the explanation he had prepared.
Hiking is easier than mountain climbing, and he also has a good option to take advantage of time differences, so he finally decided to make a move.
"Won't this affect your work?"
Liv is a competent employee. The museum business is on track, and they are about to be deployed to Mari. As the field medic, she doesn't have much to do, but Xia Yu, the boss, must be very busy!
I am very busy, but major life events are also very important.
"It won't have any impact. Anyway, this ship is very slow. We can take a helicopter first and then go back in a couple of days. We can still catch up."
Xia Yu revealed his plan.
“I understand. I heard from my brother that you and Sergeant Kuhn went to Gineya…”
Liv's eyes darted around, as if she had remembered something.
"Shh, Liv, let me keep this a little mystery!"
Xia Yu smiled and told her to stop.
This girl is too smart. Now he doesn't have to worry about the intelligence of his offspring. Luckily, he wasn't greedy, otherwise he might have been stabbed three times and stabbed six times.
Just kidding. Hormones can make people lose their rationality, but once the hormones subside, as long as the personality isn't too extreme, it's unlikely that they'll end up hurting each other.
I'm really disappointed; I'll probably just leave.
A creature devoid of emotion and driven by self-interest might even help cover up its husband's infidelity.
"Okay, let's keep it a secret."
Liv zipped up her mouth, but she was actually looking forward to the island hike!
She and her brother Hans are two extremes in terms of personality. One likes to stay at home but has to travel a lot for work, while the other likes to go shopping but is restricted to one area by his work.
Having learned to use weapons and killed rebels, Liv has gained some self-defense capabilities. With her boss by her side, it's time for her to travel around and see the world.
The last time she flew over Mount Nyiragongo, she wanted to wear a fireproof suit, get off the helicopter, and go as close as she could to take a look.
But she had just joined the Firepower Defense Force at that time and did not express her true thoughts.
Now that I've discovered the boss shares my interests, things are different. My colleague is so lazy I can't get him to go out, and I'm not that familiar with the other colleagues. The boss is much better.
Liv had no idea that her weasel boss was not a pure-hearted person. But what kind of pure friendship could there be between a man and a woman? Sharing interests was just a means to get closer.
After delivering the luggage to Liv's private room, Xia Yu returned to the deck.
It was almost time; they needed to prepare to depart.
About ten minutes later, the Norwegian Navy, which had been guarding the area near the São Paulo, began to withdraw, and a Norwegian-flagged ocean-going tugboat appeared on the horizon.
This ship was the driving force behind the São Paulo's departure from Afica and its journey to the Philippines, as it would have to pass through the more dangerous Gulf of Gineya. During this period, Jihuo Defense would escort the ship throughout the entire journey.
Before that, however, they had to go to the cargo port of Konluga to hoist the equipment and supplies onto the ship.
To lift a container by helicopter, you need a Mi-26, but even if you bring a Mi-12, you still can't lift an overweight T-64B1M.
With anchor raised and towlines secured, the São Paulo departed from Pointe-Noire, where it had been docked for over half a month. Meanwhile, the gantry cranes at the cargo port a few kilometers away were already prepared, and Kuhn and his convoy had arrived early.
Counting the heads, Christian wasn't there either, except for the three who were away on business.
Dahuang's litter of puppies has been weaned, and Xia Yu gave him a break to fly back to England to deliver the puppies to his daughter.
Compared to her puppies, the younger kitten is still enjoying breast milk all to herself, and she's grown quite a bit.
P.S.: This book features only one female lead. My writing skills are limited. When I write about rich protagonists, I only have two female leads, one from Earth and one from Mars. Romance is not the main theme of this book, but it's impossible for the protagonist to be single when he's so rich. Getting married and having children is an inevitable outcome, and it would be best if the women could help the protagonist.
After careful consideration, Hans's sister is the best choice. As for the somewhat abrupt development, it is also due to the protagonist's personality. He plans carefully before acting, and even if he is attracted to her, he will wait until his career has developed to a certain stage before making a move.
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