"Mr. Sherlock, can you get your hands on an Ash-73TK?"
Kevin's eyes lit up, and he asked Xia Yu directly.
The engine he asked about, judging from its name, was clearly a Soviet-made engine. Then, Mr. Xia, who had been fixated on American piston engines, also realized what was going on.
Yes, besides the original B-29, there's also the former Soviet Union's red B-29—the Tu-4, not to mention that the ASH-73TK has more power than the R-3350-57AM.
With this combination, FHC's Super Fortress has all the elements it needs, giving you double the experience for the price of one trip – truly more for the same price.
As for the old Tu-4 with its engines removed, its home country has also developed a mature engine replacement solution, directly replacing it with a turboprop engine for greater power, and upgrading the electric fan to a hairdryer.
Operating these two hybrid bombers will undoubtedly boost the profitability of the second phase of the Afica War Museum project to new heights.
Developing bomber experience services in North America is a dead end. Bombers that don't drop bombs are more boring than tractors. For example, the most expensive VIP gunner's seat on the Coppa Allstar, which was funded and restored, costs only $1,500 per flight, while the gunner's seat is only $600.
This meager amount is barely enough to cover fuel and labor costs. To make real money, we need to drop bombs and bring in a few Zero target drones to upgrade the gunners' skills. That would bring in two to three million in profit per sortie.
Mr. Xia knows how to make money. FHC's aviation division is based in the United States. If you want to enjoy special services, we can charter a direct flight to Afica for a spontaneous trip.
It's just as convenient as a Texan driving to Mexico; all you need to bring is a credit card that won't be maxed out.
"Of course, but the initial prototype isn't very reliable. I'll wait until I find a batch of later models."
Xia Yu said, "Leave the engine issue to me. Your job is to get the other subsystems of this B-29 ready, so it doesn't drag on for three to five years like the Allen."
The new boss is still young, but FHC still needs to emulate the corporate culture of Ji Huo, maximizing efficiency and ensuring adequate compensation.
"Yes, Mr. Sherlock!"
Upon hearing that they would receive a raise, everyone responded enthusiastically in unison.
"Let's leave it at that for now, Aviation Department. Your focus is on attracting visitors to the Afica War Museum. Armored Department is the main force for increasing domestic revenue. Paul has obtained a business license for ATF special weapons and equipment for FHC and also acquired dozens of hectares of wasteland behind the hangar, which will be the Armored Department's field site."
Xia Yu then turned to Bob, the head of the armored division, and spoke.
Except for some cities, the civilian airports in the old magnesium region are all located in remote areas, not to mention that Paine Airport is the location of Boeing's Everett factory.
The museum's original test track was a closed area outside the hangar leading to the airport, but it could also be driven inwards to the airport taxiway and runway.
However, the original plan was just to deal with Boeing's complaints. If they added value-added services, it would be easy to attract the FBI and ATF together. It's better to just honestly expand the space outside the airport that belongs to FHC!
"The safe storage and use of pyrotechnics is of paramount importance, and we cannot overemphasize it. I will transfer a group of experienced staff from the Afica War Museum to the United States to assist FHC in establishing the relevant system and to conduct training for you and the newly recruited staff."
Americans deal more with bullets than with artillery shells, since privately owned artillery mostly fires shells using black powder pellets.
The hand-rolled ammunition that Xia Yu exported to the Old Magnesium Museum is equivalent to a rocket launcher in its entirety; private individuals simply cannot purchase it.
Ninety-nine percent of the goods sold on the dark web are fake, but if you trade overseas and find the right channels, you can get the real stuff. The more chaotic the country, the larger the scope of the goods you can get.
Within the United States, only regulated and licensed institutions and companies can purchase and provide related shooting services, which is much more rigid than Afica. However, this also effectively prevents gunfight rooms from being upgraded to artillery battle suits.
However, the US military has a tradition of losing weapons and ammunition. In May of this year, the Air Force lost a box of M430 multi-purpose high-explosive rounds used in the MK-19 automatic grenade launcher. A total of 32 40x53mm high-speed grenades have not been found to this day.
The under-barrel grenade launchers available to the public cannot fire this type of grenade, but by unscrewing the warhead, removing the spin safety mechanism, leaving only the impact fuse, and adding a 3D-printed tail fin, it can be mounted on a consumer drone to make headlines.
And it wasn't just 40mm grenades; other missing or stolen items included hand grenades, mortar shells, Claymore mines, C-4 bombs, and TNT.
If you search for a tutorial and use it as a firecracker in an abandoned mine, that's fine. But if you really want to take revenge on society, it's more efficient than an AR-15 with a bump stock. Even a patrolman with only a small pistol can't empty the magazine.
"The museum's security level must be comprehensively upgraded in the future. It's easier to rob our place than to rob a military ammunition depot. After all, this is just a Boeing factory that produces passenger planes, and the security level is not that high."
After walking around the long hangar, Xia Yu emphasized this point again.
Hiring a local PMC company would be a bit of a slap in the face, since the core business of Ji Huo Group is private military contracting, and they can't afford to lose face by outsourcing.
After much thought, it seems better to leverage FHC's powerful firepower to establish the North American branch of Jihuo Defense.
We don't need to go to Texas, right? The lenient policies there only apply to ordinary people. For institutions and companies, it's the same everywhere. The only thing to consider is the local tax rate.
As for being too far from Mexico and even further from South America, that's not a problem.
Jihuo Defense is stronger than its competitors because it has a large number of vehicles. One An-124 can take off and transport an entire platoon of main battle tanks. The branch office is located in Washington State.
Old Magneto had no connection to other states, but here the Allen family at least had some influence; the governor and many congressmen attended Paul's funeral.
To be honest, Paul's gift brought Xia Yu's plans to enter North America forward by many years. Whether it was the museum business or private military contracting orders, he originally planned to take action five years later.
With the museum business suddenly brought forward to the present, the complementary PMC (Production, Manufacturing, and Construction) sector must also follow suit.
The European branch focuses on counter-terrorism, the Asian branch on maritime security and anti-piracy, so what is the role of the North American branch?
After leaving Pann Airport and returning to the hotel, Xia Yu kept thinking about this question.
The PMC business implemented in different regions has different focuses. Is the North American branch going to California to crack down on zero-dollar purchases?
He felt physically uncomfortable because it was too undignified. In Afica, he always attacked the black men who drove infantry fighting vehicles and tanks and were armed with RPGs and anti-tank missiles.
When Amelika arrived, she immediately raised her fist at the black man who was trying to steal her clothes and shoes. Xia Yu would rather not do that kind of business.
Ultimately, it all comes down to making money off the rich; that's where the profits are.
The wealthy can be divided into legal and illegal categories. The money of legally wealthy people may not be clean, but Jihuo Defense can provide them with security services.
Illegal rich people are an exception, because they all made their fortunes by joining gangs and selling laundry detergent.
Even if some of them have already cleaned up their act, Jihuo Defense will not accept their employment; instead, they will exploit them.
Not being American, Xia Yu had little interest in punishing evildoers in North America, but he was extremely interested in collecting bad guy coins.
Over the past year or so, the frequency and amount of spoils distributed by Jihuo Defense have generally decreased. This is partly due to the increase in the number of employees, but the most important reason is that Afica is too poor.
Warlords and organization leaders with thousands of men under their command either had no money, or if they did have any, they spent it all on weapons and equipment, leaving little room for personal gain.
Europe has plenty of money but little work; Asia hasn't made any major moves yet, the problem being that the shift from land to sea requires too much expertise.
Only those who advertise that washing dishes can earn four or five thousand dollars in the free and easy world of luxury can make money off the ground. This kind of rhetoric, while not entirely deceptive, is at least 10% true. The wealthy in the US really do have a lot of money, or rather, they're printing their own money—how could the speed and quantity not be fast?
But this money is just for your eyes, not for you to pick up. There are only so many people who can sit at the table and share the cake.
"Honey, what are you thinking about?"
Looking at her husband, who was lost in thought, Liv asked.
"Since we're here in the US, let's stay a couple more days before we leave, since we're thinking about our business in North America."
Xia Yu said that the Taiwanese people don't need to rush, and the deployment in Libya can be postponed for two days.
"If you stay a couple more days, I'll see where you want to go next!"
Liv asked skeptically.
"You guessed right. Before you leave, take a detour to Arizona to see our planes."
Xia Yu replied with a smile.
It's not good for a wife to be too smart; she's like a tapeworm in his stomach, knowing everything.
"Buzz"
After leaving Washington state, the USS Fisher flew over Oregon and Nevada, and after entering the vast desert of Arizona, it successfully landed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Yes, it's that famous aircraft graveyard of the old US Air Force.
Thompson's four AC-130H fire control systems were delivered to the port when Xia Yu was still in Europe, but the six A-10s that Xia Yu wanted are still not ready.
There are also the Navy's three F-14Ds. Their history of stealing spare parts led the Navy to relocate all the F-14Ds that were not destroyed from their storage locations.
The reopening and maintenance would not be the responsibility of the 309th Aviation Maintenance and Modification Brigade, but he could ask about the progress there once he arrived.
As the cabin door of the Airbus A319 opened, Xia Yu, carrying his son, stepped down the gangway and felt a wave of heat wash over him, as if he had returned to the scorching Sahara.
"Hmm, Papa, it's hot."
Little Yuzu kept humming and spouting words, but how can a real man not get some sunshine?
Xia Yu put on a camouflage boonie hat and walked quickly toward Thompson.
“Mr. Sherlock, it’s been a long time. This is your son. I’ve always wanted a son, but I’ve had three daughters.”
Thompson took off his sunglasses and greeted his partner.
There's a saying that pilots are more likely to have daughters because of ionizing radiation, but Xia Yu's flight hours were all accumulated in recent years, so it's unlikely to have any impact on him, even if he really wants a girl.
"I don't know about three North American countries, but that would be incredible in China!"
Xia Yu said with emotion.
"Really? Well, daughters are daughters nonetheless. The eldest is nearsighted, while the second was accepted by my alma mater. I wonder what kind of aircraft she'll be able to fly after graduation."
Daughters can also inherit the mantle; as long as you have many children, there will always be one who is suitable in terms of both appearance and personality.
"As long as it's not an A-10, it's fine. These days, portable anti-aircraft missiles are appearing more and more frequently on the battlefield, and titanium alloy armor isn't that reliable."
Xia Yu offered advice based on his practical experience.
"Yes, warthogs are too dangerous. If all else fails, we'll transfer them to the National Guard."
The US National Guard also has A-10s, but the problem is that while they are primarily responsible for homeland defense, they sometimes have to go abroad to fight.
However, given General Tang's connections in the Air Force, it wouldn't be too late to transfer his daughter out once the deployment is underway.
This is very realistic. The United States today is no longer the same as it was back then. The previous generation has already suffered enough, so why should the next generation take any risks?
Going to the Air Force is supposedly to inherit his father's mantle, but to put it bluntly, it's just for prestige. As long as Thompson's Tacair doesn't go bankrupt, this second son will definitely be the successor in the future.
Xia Yu and the other party rode in a car and chatted all the way to the cool hangar, where two Warthogs were being unsealed and prepared.
"These are the last two. The highest priority at Davis-Monthan Air Force is the Air Force's maintenance orders, and the last priority is for us third parties."
Thompson then explained the reasons for the slow delivery schedule of the A-10.
“I understand. I’m not in a hurry. I just happened to be passing by and wanted to take a look.”
Having seen the aircraft graveyard in Oslo, it's time to check out the one in Magnesium, even if there's nothing particularly good there.
There are no F-22s or B-2s; the main attraction is the sheer number of various fighter jets piled up together to create a spectacular sight.
Among fighter jets, early models like the F-15 and F-16 could be refurbished and used as unmanned target drones, but unfortunately, they won't sell them; they keep them for themselves to use as target drones!
"It will take another week to prepare the last two aircraft. At that time, the six A-10s and two spare parts will be loaded onto the ship and sent to the country together."
"Oh, right, and the 50 GAU-8 Avenger cannons you requested. The Air Force ordered a total of 800 from General Electric, and now every one we fire is one less."
The soul of the Warthog is this 30mm 7-barrel Gatling gun, because Xia Yu bought GAU-8s with severe rifling wear from the spare parts warehouse, which were very cheap.
The worn rifling of a machine gun can be repaired with a little steel. Besides, museum operations don't involve the intensity of actual combat. Even if the accuracy is poor, it can be repaired by firing a few more rounds, which can also consume more ammunition and generate more revenue.
"Yes, these machine guns are very valuable to collectors. Fifty of them may only meet the needs for the next few years. I will come back to buy more after we have used up more than half of them."
As for attack aircraft, the A-10 should definitely be displayed in the same hall as the Su-25, along with a certain red attack aircraft designed by a fellow villager from Xia Yu. It would be great to have the three "land-licking musketeers" together.
"But it's an attack aircraft, otherwise I would have taken advantage of the situation to collect one myself."
Thompson remarked with emotion.
Only fighter jets can serve as hypothetical enemies; attack aircraft are essentially powerless against fighter jets, so it's impossible for Tacair to procure Warthogs.
"By the way, how's the batch of F-5s I sent you?"
Xia Yu inquired about the current status of the Tiger II fighter jets from John. He was quite interested in the adversary business, as he might also be involved in this industry in the future.
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