Noon on May 1, 1941.
Various fighter-bombers participating in the ribbon-cutting flight arrived one after another and were stationed at several airports in the base.
In the following days, reporters and pilot representatives from various countries arrived at the base one after another. The reporters went around to conduct interviews. The pilots were arranged to test-fly fighter jets at various airports and rehearse military parade formations in accordance with previous agreements. For a time, the base was extremely lively. .
The reason why the United States invites countries around the world to participate in the ribbon-cutting at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Base is to show their strength to the world.
After the outbreak of World War II, Britain and France have always hoped that the United States can participate in the war, but the American people are unwilling to get involved in the war, so the United States has been sitting on the sidelines. This invitation to the world is to tell certain countries that the United States is very powerful. .
As long as a reporter asked for an interview, Nakaso Moritaka immediately agreed. The purpose of their trip was to suppress Chinese pilots and promote the strength of the Imperial Air Force to the world. Therefore, in front of the camera, they showed off their flying prowess in the air and performed various wonderful maneuvers. The action has become the subject of reporters' interviews.
Compared with the popularity of the three Japanese pilots, the three Chinese pilots who did not show off their skills were rarely interviewed by reporters.
What reporters want is excitement. If your fighter plane flies well, no one will see it.
What's more, Zhou Zhihan, as a rookie of Hainan Airlines, learned to fly in a trainer aircraft on a simulated aircraft carrier, and no one watched him.
Even if a few reporters occasionally interview us, they always ask questions such as "Your opponent is very powerful, what do you think?" and "If you lose, will you be blamed when you go back?"
In the past few days, Nishizawa Guangyi has been secretly watching Zhou Zhihan's every move.
Two days ago, Dick Best taught Zhou Zhihan how to fly a trainer aircraft. He first practiced on the airport runway how to accurately hook the arresting rope when landing on a ship. On the third day, he drove the trainer aircraft to practice takeoff and landing on the "unsinkable aircraft carrier". We were still on the runway, and there were two failed landings during this period. Fortunately, Dick Best switched pilots and the crisis was averted.
Even so, Dick Best still praised Zhou Zhihan's technique and understanding ability. He was able to do this in just three days, which is already super outstanding.
Returning to the camp on the evening of the fourth day, Nakasa Moritaka asked: "Nishizawa-kun, what do you think of Zhou Zhihan's study?"
"To be honest, Zhou Zhihan is very capable. He was able to take off from the ship in just four days, but he only has two days left. It is impossible for any Army aviation pilot to complete the safety of the carrier-based aircraft in two days. Landing. This time, I will defeat him."
"good!"
Nakasa Moritaka's eyebrows were bright, "If you beat Zhou Zhihan, Kato-kun and I can win at least one game, and we can trample Chinese pilots under our feet in front of the world."
Hearing that the Chinese general will definitely lose, Kato's face is full of confidence: "General! I think we can win these three games steadily. Zhang Mufei is not your opponent. I am 70% certain to win Gong Yeti." .”
May 4th.
Just before lunch, there were cheers from all around the "unsinkable aircraft carrier". Chinese pilot Zhou Zhihan piloted a training aircraft and successfully landed on the simulated aircraft carrier.
God.
six days.
In just six days, Zhou Zhihan set a historical record. An Army aviation pilot completed the process of taking off from a simulated aircraft carrier and landing safely in just six days.
Immediately, Zhou Zhihan attracted the attention of reporters from all over the world.
After eating lunch, Zhou Zhihan piloted the F4F Wildcat alone and successfully landed on the simulated aircraft carrier.
At this time, almost all reporters from the entire base gathered here. Before this, as a Chinese pilot, almost all reporters were not optimistic about it.
After the training, he returned to the camp in the evening. Worry appeared on Nakasa Moritaka's face. Zhou Zhihan's successful takeoff and landing made him feel great pressure.
In this regard, Nishizawa Hiroki said that there is no pressure. The simulated aircraft carrier is stationary, while the aircraft carrier on the sea will change slightly when it is parked. The difference between the two is huge. There is still a long way to go between knowing and mastering.
In order to reassure Nakaba Moritaka and Kato, Nishizawa Hiroyuki said: "Before, I was really worried that Zhou Zhihan could not complete the take-off and landing on the simulated aircraft carrier, and then he would give up. Now he can take off and land on the simulated aircraft carrier, and the real one will be tomorrow." The USS "Raider" aircraft carrier will arrive at the base. If it fails to land in the spotlight, the whole world will laugh at China. Wouldn't it be better?"
Before dusk, the aircraft carrier USS Raider arrived at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
Then, the United States’ latest fighter jet, the P47 Thunderbolt, has also arrived and will be tested on time on May 6. (1)
That evening, pilots and reporters from the last two invited countries arrived at the base. They were old enemies—Germany and the United Kingdom.
The two countries were still fighting fiercely at this time, but the main battlefield had moved from the sky above London to North Africa.
It was 8 o'clock in the morning on May 5, 1941.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station began on time.
Before the ceremony began, the base military gave the schedule for today's friendly confrontation between Chinese and Japanese pilots.
The first set of confrontations:
China's Gong Yeti faced off against Japan's Kato, with both sides flying P40BC Tomahawk fighter jets.
The second set of confrontations:
China's Zhang Mufei faced Japan's Moritaka Nakaso. The fighters of both sides were P51 Mustangs.
The third group of confrontations:
China's Zhou Zhihan will face Japan's Nishizawa Hiroyuki. Both sides will fly F4F Wildcats to take off and land from an aircraft carrier.
Within the specified time, whoever takes the shortest time, performs the most difficult stunts, and hits the most targets wins. Of course, victory in aerial combat mainly depends on shooting skills, and the final victory is still based on the number of targets.
The rules of the competition stipulate that when the pilots of both parties take off, each party can fly the aircraft and use radio to conduct on-site communication.
After receiving the notification, pilots from both sides conducted final training.
Amid the military music of the honor guard, the three giants of the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force cut the ribbon for the test flight at the base.
After a short speech, a phalanx of trainees entered the venue to undergo a military parade, and then various performances took turns. Dick Best led the Sixth Reconnaissance Team to perform an aerial display, and then various fighter-bombers flew into the sky one by one to perform aerobatics.
When the host announced that pilots from China and Japan would engage in a unique friendly competition to add to the celebration of the ribbon-cutting test flight ceremony, the entire base rejoiced.
First, neatly dressed Gong Yeti and Kato appeared. The host took out a coin, tossed it up, and guessed the face.
Kato flies first.
Zhou Zhihan, Gong Yeti, and Zhang Mufei exchanged glances and nodded together. This is a good start to take the lead, allowing the Japanese to fly first. Let's wait and see what happens.
Moritaka Nakasa first drove the Mustang to take off from the airport and conducted on-site command in the air.
Then, Kato slowly drove the P40BC Tomahawk onto the runway. The ground crew removed the chocks on the three wheels of the fighter plane, and the commander made a posture ready for takeoff.
Kato wore a samurai belt with "Must Win" written on his head. He started the fighter and found that all the instruments were normal. He then pushed the throttle slightly, released the brakes, and the P40BC Tomahawk took off.
——
The P47 Thunder fighter made its first test flight on May 6, 1941.
