General Pat Plouffe took Zhou Zhihan to his hotel in his own car and told Zhou Zhihan bluntly: "You are my student, and I will tell you everything I know. The reliable information I received is, China's planned purchase of 500 fighter jets and medium bombers, as well as 150 transport aircraft requests may be difficult to achieve."
Zhou Zhihan's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and saw that the current situation was worse than expected in China.
"For now, Congress has only agreed to sell 50 P40 fighter jets to China, but during this period there will be changes due to the arrival of the Japanese delegation.
These fighters were originally intended to be sold to the United Kingdom, but when the first batch of 24 arrived in the United Kingdom to participate in the war, they were immediately boycotted by British pilots because the performance of the P40 was completely unable to match the German Messerschmitt.
British pilots believed that when the P40 met the Messerschmitt, it was an iron coffin in the air. Its flight speed was almost 100 kilometers slower than the latter. Especially after entering an altitude of 7,000 meters, the control stick responded slowly, the dive ability was extremely poor, and it hovered. and small radius rotation were far behind the Mei type, so more than a hundred subsequent ones were rejected by the British military. "
Zhou Zhihan knew what General Pat Plouffe said. This batch of P40 fighter jets was ordered by France, but now that France has surrendered, it is impossible for the United States to sell this batch of fighter jets to the current French and puppet government. That would only increase the Germans’ Advantage.
At this time, the British industry was destroyed by the Luftwaffe, and the straits were blocked, making it difficult for supplies to enter, so they were eager to get these fighter jets.
However, after the P40 met the Messers over the UK, it was beaten and returned. Therefore, the Americans believed that it had no advantage in the European battlefield and its performance was far inferior to the Hurricane, not to mention the Messersch, Spitfire, and Messersch. This was because the British were unwilling to do so. Only after receiving the remaining P40s will the Americans be willing to sell this fighter jet to China.
If the British are willing to accept these fighters, what is China's business?
Zhou Zhihan sighed inwardly, China was really backward at this time, and the fighter jets that the British did not want were in demand in China.
In fact, he has no idea how many P40s he can win this time in the United States. However, he clearly remembered that Chennault established the Flying Tigers in China in 1941, and the first batch of fighter jets produced by the Flying Tigers were P40s. In other words, during his trip to the United States, he could definitely buy back fighter jets, but how many of them could he take out? He didn't know about the aircraft. He had forgotten how many P40 fighter jets Mao Bangchu bought in the United States in history.
As for the Mustang and the new bomber, you should never even think about it. The American people were very vocal against the war for fear of offending Germany and Japan. Even the United Kingdom, which President Roosevelt wanted to help most, could not persuade the United States to join the war.
President Roosevelt naturally knew that once Britain was captured by Germany, the only remaining Soviet Union in Europe would also be in danger, and the United States would not be able to survive alone in the end. However, the American people did not think so at the moment, so the government was helpless under the strong anti-war wave of the people.
General Pat Plouffe continued: "Not long ago, I talked with Mr. Laughlin Corey, President Roosevelt's chief adviser. The information he gave me at that time was that the president was willing to sell 100 P40s to China and allowed the dispatch of volunteer troops. Go to China to fight.
But just a few days ago, Congress was under pressure from Japan, so it changed the 100 fighter jets sold to China to 50. At present, even these 50 fighter jets are subject to considerable variables.
The Japanese delegation arrived before you. Mr. Laughlin Corey told me that as soon as they got off the plane, they submitted a letter of intent to purchase P40 to the U.S. Congress, clearly competing with you, China.
Moreover, the Japanese have said that if they want to bid for these fighter jets with you, their price will always be 20% higher than China's. This is a big temptation for aircraft manufacturers. So in this battle without gunpowder, China has already lost three points without fighting. "
"Teacher!" Zhou Zhihan asked after a moment of silence, "Is there any way for me to meet President Roosevelt?"
Worried that the Japanese would take advantage of him due to long nights and long dreams, Zhou Zhihan decided to ask his mentor, General Pat Plouffe, to personally meet with the president. Chennault went to submit the relevant documents as soon as he got off the plane. If he waited for him to apply to see Laughlin. Mr. Corey will then make an appointment to meet with the President, and it will take at least ten days and a half to go through the relevant procedures. In the end, he may not be able to meet President Roosevelt.
General Pat Plouffe shook his head: "It is difficult for me to see Mr. President usually, and the Japanese delegation has just arrived. If the president receives you, he must also receive the Japanese. Obviously the president does not want to see the latter. But this is politics, and all aspects need to be balanced. There is a more important factor here, that is, the U.S. government is not willing to offend the Japanese for the time being, so it is very difficult for you to purchase the aircraft this time."
"Teacher!" Zhou Zhihan begged, "How about you help me meet Mr. Laughlin Corey first. I know this is very difficult for you, but China's current anti-war situation is very serious. The Air Force is facing the Japanese aviation force. It is even more precarious, and there is an urgent need for this batch of fighter jets to return home to support our skies.
Prior to this, the Soviet Union had withdrawn all experts and pilots. Just two months ago, the Chinese Air Force had no fresh blood to add, and was on the verge of losing one less aircraft. "
General Pat Plouff thought for a while and said: "Then let me give it a try. Maybe he will meet you. After all, it was he who suggested to the president to sell fighter jets to you.
But now and then, the Japanese appear halfway, putting great pressure on him, so don't put too much hope in this.
Moreover, the president’s chief adviser is not that easy to meet. I have to make an appointment in advance to see him. "
Zhou Zhihan's face was filled with gratitude: "Thank you, master!"
When they arrived at the hotel, General Pat Plouffe chatted with Zhou Zhihan for a while and then left, saying that he would go back and contact Mr. Laughlin Corey now.
Zhou Zhihan felt warm in his heart and was extremely grateful. He and Song Ziwen and others sent General Pat Plov off together.
Seeing this scene, Song Ziwen, Zhang Mufei and Gong Yeti finally understood why the principal changed the general on the spot and asked Zhou Zhihan to come by name.
In the current situation, it would be useless to replace Mao Bangchu. Song Ziwen himself tried every means during this period and searched for people who might be able to help China, but to no avail. When Zhou Zhihan came, he immediately had a lieutenant general as his mentor. Pick him up personally and introduce him to the president's advisers.
With only Chinese personnel left in the room, Song Ziwen sat on the sofa and drank coffee without thinking, and said worriedly: "Originally, our country has reached a preliminary agreement with the United States on the purchase of P40 fighter jets, but who knew that Cheng Yaojin would show up halfway.
The money we paid for purchasing these fighter jets was domestic donations plus loans. Now the Japanese are determined to win. They threaten to spend any amount of money to buy these fighter jets. The Americans are only interested in profit, and the trade between them and the Japanese is huge. It's very tricky to possibly favor us in this matter. "
Zhou Zhihan stood up, walked to the window and opened the curtains. It was almost dusk. Looking at the busy traffic on the street outside and the peaceful faces of the people, he felt very envious. Then he lit a cigarette, looked out the window and said: “At home, the high command believed that the Japanese’s statement that they were determined to acquire these fighter jets was just a pretense, and its ultimate purpose was to put pressure on the U.S. government so that the U.S. would not dare to sell even a single bullet to China.
But if the United States really wants to sell fighter jets to China, it will be useless no matter how Japan obstructs it. Therefore, the purchase price is not an issue. It depends on whether we can find a way to convince the Americans. "
