The Type 32 seaplane is a large seaplane developed by Shanghai Changyang Aircraft Manufacturing Company. It defeated its bidding rival, Guangzhou Anyu Company. After that, the Navy successively placed several batches of orders. So far, there are more than 200 aircraft. Delivered into service.
The maximum range of this large seaplane is extremely exaggerated, exceeding 5,400 kilometers under standard load. Its cruising speed is about 210 kilometers/h, and its theoretical stay in the air can reach as much as 25 hours.
Moreover, its low-speed flight performance is good and relatively stable, and its stall speed is about 150km/h, which means that it can hover over the target at a slower speed, which is obviously helpful for precise attacks on the ground.
This large and slow seaplane is usually used for long-range reconnaissance or long-term patrols to attack discovered enemy submarines; it can also perform bombing missions, but the risk is higher.
About half an hour later, Zhou Changfeng was led to the airport hangar east of the naval base.
There was an uncomfortable smell of paint and gasoline in the air, while a few idle mechanics and ground crew were making jokes on the sidelines.
When you stand next to this four-engine aircraft, you can feel its hugeness and the unique power of mechanical creations.
He stretched out his hand, touched it, and tapped it twice with his index finger knuckle. The sound was quite clear.
Oh, full metal skin.
"The frame and skin of this thing are basically made of aluminum alloy. Why is it called 'basic'? Because some joints are reinforced with steel, and the rudder skin of the tail fin is made of fabric."
A mechanic here is a familiar person, and he introduced this 32-type seaplane in a carefree manner.
Think about it, the impact that needs to be withstood when taking off and landing on water is in some cases higher than at a ground airport, so it is reasonable that the structural strength of the aircraft body needs to be strengthened.
Yes, this is enough to install the artillery.
Zhou Changfeng nodded thoughtfully, pointed to the hatch and asked, "Can I go in and take a look?"
"Okay, come with me."
Several people nearby pushed over two boarding ladders, so that we could enter.
Zhou Changfeng was quite surprised by how spacious the interior of the plane was. It was much wider than other planes he had ever flown on, probably not more than three or four meters wide.
The entire aircraft is divided into several cabins, connected by rounded rectangular doorways.
At the front of the nose is a twin-mounted 7.36mm machine gun below, and above it are the pilot, navigator, and mechanic;
The second compartment is where the radio operator is located, and parachutes and first aid kits are also placed here, as well as chassis ammunition;
The third cabin is the lounge, with a bunk bed on the left and a bunk on the left and right, both of which are hammocks that can be folded to one side for storage. There is also a small toilet in the corner.
The fourth cabin is the kitchen and storage room, which can be used to cook on-site or heat refrigerated dishes; and store inflatable dinghy and sea survival items.
The fifth cabin is the fighting room, with a 7.36mm machine gun on the left and right sides, and a spherical turret above, with twin 7.36mm machine guns inside;
After that, there is a long aisle leading to the tail of the plane. It is relatively low and can only allow people to pass with their heads down.
Since fighter jets like to attack such slow and clumsy large aircraft from the rear, the tail has the most powerful self-defense firepower, with a twin 12.8mm machine gun installed.
"...This guy is so big that he can jump up and down in it. If he's cruising, he can fly for up to a whole day and night, twelve hours."
"Well, this is the sleeping area. We take turns to rest. The electric fan next to it didn't come from the factory. We added it ourselves."
"Then this is the kitchen room. There are not many kitchen utensils, but they are enough. An electric hot plate, an alcohol stove, and an electric kettle can make a few side dishes."
The mechanized man happily introduced his mount to Zhou Changfeng, as well as the small changes he made on his own.
The latter was quite satisfied, then pointed to his feet and said seriously: "Do you think it is strong enough at the moment?"
Is it...enough?
What kind of "strength" method?
My mount can carry two torpedoes. It can theoretically sink a cruiser to the bottom of the sea. Isn't this impressive enough?
Apparently the mechanic was confused by this inexplicable question and couldn't answer it.
Zhou Changfeng smiled slightly and continued: I came here this time to modify it and make it more exciting. "
Next, he briefly outlined his ideas about the gunship, as well as his general needs and assumptions.
"...The gunship is only suitable for attacking enemy forces without air defense capabilities when our own side basically controls the air. But in this case, its effectiveness is excellent. I am not as professional as you in the specific implementation, so what should I do? It’s still up to you to change it.”
To be honest, Zhou Changfeng originally thought that the crew members of this plane would be a little resistant. After all, their beloved plane that had been with them for a long time was going to be torn apart, and their missions were also going to change drastically.
However……
He saw the excitement in the eyes of the lieutenant mechanic, as if he had learned some great anecdotes.
"It's wonderful! Sir Zhou, please take it easy. We're in a hurry, right? We'll start thinking about it right away."
Later, several other crew members were called over.
Since they had nothing to do today, they went to the cultural center to have a drink and watch a movie.
The so-called cultural and entertainment department is the soldiers and officers' club of the Ming army. There are projectors and phonographs where you can watch movies and listen to music. Of course, most people go there to gather and drink.
After learning the whole story, the pilot, navigator, machine gunner and others looked at each other and immediately cheered.
And such good things?
In the end, it was Zhou Changfeng Weiji who turned out to be a bunch of thrill-seeking guys who enjoyed fighting.
However, if you don’t pursue excitement, you won’t come to HNA.
In this way, several other experienced engineers and mechanics from the base were also called over, and everyone discussed how to modify it.
"You must bring artillery, otherwise the efficiency of ground strikes will be too low." Zhou Changfeng first gave the basic requirements.
"It has to be installed on the side. The center of gravity is unbalanced."
“So, it can’t be too heavy, and the rear seat travel must be smaller, so you don’t have to think about medium- and large-caliber field guns.”
"How about a six-and-a-half-cent (20.8㎜) cannon? There are plenty of them in the arsenal, paired with two machine guns."
"It's too weak. It's embarrassing for such a big plane."
"I have an idea. The Marine Corps has a small cannon. It's very light. What do you think?"
The so-called small gun by this engineer is actually the Type 19 38.4mm infantry gun, which is a domestically produced version of the French Mle-7916 37mm infantry gun.
With a total weight of only 85kg, it is small and light. It is used to accompany infantry units and attack exposed enemy firepower points. It is equipped by both the Army and Marine Corps, but it has now been retired.
"I don't think so. That thing... the anti-explosive ammunition has very little charge." Zhou Changfeng shook his head.
After all, the caliber is here, the 38.4mm explosive charge is only 29g, which is not as powerful as a grenade.
Hiss...it seems a bit difficult to handle.
After a brief silence, someone said leisurely: "Actually, we can shorten the barrel of the mountain cannon, and that will probably be enough."
Oh? That's a good idea!
Everyone's eyes lit up.
The Type 32 seaplane looks roughly like this, but instead of twin vertical fins, it has a single vertical fin.
(End of chapter)
