CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 342: LARGE AIRCRAFT FINALIZATION_1

The second plane to undergo a trial flight was named the Deer Hunter Dive Bomber. Its prototype was modeled after the Stuka Dive Bomber, extensively used by Germany in World War II. With a top speed of 410 kilometers per hour, it could carry a 500-kilogram bomb under its fuselage and two 100-kilogram bombs under its wings. The Dive Bomber could dive nearly vertically toward the ground, dropping its bombs precisely on target. Before guided weapons technology matured, it was a very economical and highly accurate method of tactical bombing.

It was uncertain whether Chui Chui’s envisioned aerial fortress could be ready for the early stages of the spring war, making the Deer Hunter Dive Bomber an alternative weapon against airborne airships. Since World War II-era Dive Bombers could hit moving battleships at sea, hitting flying airships should not be difficult. The challenge remained how to penetrate the airships’ defensive systems. However, having a weapon capable of threatening airships at the war’s outset was better than having none.

The experimental Deer Hunter Dive Bomber, equipped with simulated bombs, took off smoothly under the pilot’s control and then rapidly climbed in altitude. After performing several aerial combat maneuvers, it began demonstrating dive-bombing from multiple angles. The Deer Hunter swooped down from high altitude at a vertical angle, emitting a sharp, alarm-like siren. This distinctive sound was characteristic of the Stuka Dive Bomber, originating from a device at the air intake called the "Jericho Trumpet." Although this device could reduce the plane’s speed, Yan Xing, after weighing the pros and cons, decided to retain the sound. On the battlefield, sound is also a weapon: it can intimidate the enemy and bolster the morale of one’s own troops.

The Deer Hunter Dive Bomber roared through the air repeatedly, like a Knight blowing a horn and charging into battle. Yan Xing, inspired by the sound, decided on the spot to put the Deer Hunter Dive Bomber into production. His original plan was to produce 100 units at once, but considering the production capacity of the Eternal Domain’s Alchemy Laboratory, the number had to be reduced to 50. It was better to produce an initial batch for immediate use and then continue production while the war was ongoing.

After the Deer Hunter Dive Bomber landed, the Beak Eagle Bomber took off. The Beak Eagle Bomber had seen actual combat once during the Battle of Heize City, but that was a temporarily retrofitted transport plane. With complete air superiority, its ultra-low-level bombing had been quite effective. However, as a bomber designed for strategic and tactical bombing missions, it still required modifications and the addition of specialized equipment. This would allow the Beak Eagle Bombers to locate targets in relatively safe airspace and, depending on the mission, bomb single or multiple targets. Additionally, the Beak Eagle Bombers needed a greater range to support allied forces on military missions if necessary.

The Beak Eagle itself was modeled after the B-17 bomber; hence, there was no need for significant changes to its shape or aerodynamic layout. It merely needed reinforcement of key airframe parts to enhance its defensive capabilities and the addition of some defensive Magic. Equipped with an internal-combustion steam engine enhanced by Alchemy Technology, a professional bomber was created. And since the Beak Eagle had already been in service with the Eternal Domain Air Force, the test flight of the Beak Eagle Bomber went much smoother than those of the first two models. With the Eternal Domain possessing enough parts and existing models for conversion, an order for ten Beak Eagle Bombers was not a strain on the Alchemy Laboratory.

「The Beak Eagle Bomber completed its trial flight.」

A scaled-up version of the Beak Eagle was then towed onto the runway by a tractor. Using the Beak Eagle, a large bomber-like aircraft, for transport tasks was somewhat awkward. According to Chui Chui’s calculations, a great deal of its power was being wasted. Transport planes do not require the protection of thick armor plating or weapon systems for aerial combat. These elements could be converted into increased payload capacity and space. A transport plane only needed to fly smoothly and safely deliver personnel and cargo to their destination.

To improve aerial transport efficiency, the Eternal Domain urgently needed a specialized transport plane rather than continuing to improvise with bombers. Chui Chui was assigned an emergency task; together with the Goblin Engineers, she rapidly developed the Beak Eagle Transport Planes.

However, increasing payload and space was not as simple as merely enlarging the airframe. Changes to the center of gravity and aerodynamic layout could significantly impact the aircraft’s overall performance. Cost was also a consideration. Yan Xing planned to build several hundred transport planes for both internal use and export, so they could not have the same production cost as bombers. Leveraging her formidable computational abilities and referencing established transport plane design concepts, Chui Chui, with the assistance of Goblin Engineers, finalized the design drawings for the transport plane.

The Beak Eagle Transport Plane retained the original bomber’s appearance but reduced its engine count from four to two. The airframe materials were primarily wood with metal skinning to minimize aircraft weight. With main components sourced from the real world and the Goblin Engineers’ alchemical reinforcements, the aircraft’s structural integrity was ensured. Ultimately, the Beak Eagle Transport Plane, with only two engines, achieved a higher payload, greater space, and longer range compared to the bomber.

Of course, these were all theoretical figures. If the extensively modified Beak Eagle Transport Plane could take off and land smoothly, that alone would be a great success. Due to the many uncertainties involved, Yan Xing had not yet authorized mass production of the Beak Eagle Transport Planes. He permitted the production of only five units for further experimentation and data collection, intending to refine the aircraft’s performance and safety before considering large-scale production.

「After four aircraft with proven success and referenceable blueprints completed their test flights, it was time for the Goblins’ wildly creative designs to take the stage.」

Unlike the cautious Chui Chui, who lacked reference data, the Goblins were dissatisfied with the limited power yet good controllability of the internal-combustion steam engine. After gaining a partial understanding of flight principles, they set their sights directly on the turbocharged jet engine. Such an engine, when used on Gryphon Armor, could propel aircraft to supersonic speeds. It provided more direct and powerful thrust compared to an internal-combustion steam engine driving a propeller.

Thus, the Goblins devised some bizarre flying machines. Taking advantage of Lord Yan Xing’s visit to observe the test flights, they transported all their creations, eager to broaden his horizons.

The first to be presented was called the Individual Flight Device. It was a very simple piece of equipment: a metal harness with a pair of wings attached to the back, and a turbocharged jet engine fixed between the wings. The pilot, wearing this so-called flight pack, could theoretically take off from the ground simply by starting the engine.

However, the Goblin Engineers had not yet solved the problems of flight stability, steering, or landing. Therefore, they strapped a dummy to it to demonstrate the flight pack’s launch procedure to Lord Yan Xing.