Although Li Hang promised Lao Zhou that he would return to the team within half a month, he has actually been living at the airport as if he had returned to the team.
As the leg injury continued to improve, he also began to perform some recovery training, but did not return to action.
During this period, the Japs did not launch any more large-scale air raids on Nanchang and Wuhan, mainly because it was too late.
No way, the loss is too great.
The industry of the Little Devils is not as good as that of the four countries of Germany, the Soviet Union, and Britain. In addition, not all of them have been converted to military at this time, so the production capacity has not turned into runaway mode. Although the output of aircraft is okay, it cannot withstand the repeated losses before.
Especially good pilots.
In every air battle, basically the Japanese pilots suffered greater losses than China. In addition, it was an active air strike. Even if they parachuted, they would either be captured or killed.
Therefore, the little devil also needs some time to buffer.
The same is true for the Chinese Air Force.
After this air battle, the Fourth Group did not have new aircraft or pilots, mainly pilots.
Zhou Zhikai, Chen Guimin and others from the seventh batch have all joined the Air Force, and the eighth batch has not yet graduated.
This means that in the next half year, the Fourth Group will only have 34 pilots, including 8 in the 21st Squadron, 7 in the 22nd Squadron, 10 in the 23rd Squadron, and 9 in the 24th Squadron.
Whether it is the Japanese or the Chinese Air Force, generally an air force will have spare aircraft and reserve pilots, but the Chinese Air Force does not.
Not to mention airplanes, you can only buy them.
Among the pilots, although there are dozens or hundreds in each class, there are only a few dozen who fly chase planes. The rest fly reconnaissance planes, bombers, etc., and it is impossible to just fly chase planes.
To put it bluntly, even if Li Hang can solve the problem of the aircraft, pilot training needs to be strengthened.
"Squadron leader, let me drive. Your legs are not fully healed yet."
In the early morning of March 15th, the genius was slightly bright. On the tarmac of Hankou Airport, an extremely simple aircraft was parked here.
The reason why it is extremely crude is that this aircraft is just a wooden aircraft. It has not even been painted, and it still has the original color of wood.
Under this situation, Liang Tiancheng was a little worried about Li Hang, because the latter wanted to test the flight himself.
"Are you familiar with this plane? If you are not familiar with the plane, aren't you just messing around when you get on it?" Li Hang glared at the other person and stopped him from causing trouble.
Don't look at the fact that Li Hang actually produced a prototype of this aircraft without even using it for a month. There are many reasons for this.
The aerodynamic shape of the later Chujiao Liu was completely copied, which saved a lot of time, not to mention the need for too many mathematical, physical and other principles to demonstrate;
The body structure is basically a wooden structure, and parts and instruments such as engines, tires, propellers, parachutes, and joysticks are directly removed from scrapped aircraft;
Plus this prototype is really simple.
The weapon was not installed and there was no shooting coordinator, so it was equipped with a parachute. This was necessary in case something happened during the test flight.
The reason why we were so anxious to take out such a crude wooden airplane was actually to prove that this airplane could really fly, and that there was a need for further research.
So early in the morning, not only were the pilots from the Fourth Group there, but Zhou Baifu and Mao Bangchu were also there.
Even the leader of the civil engineering department, who is also the chairman of Hubei Province, commander of the Wuhan garrison and commander of the Sixth War Zone, also came.
No way, Lao Zhou was originally from the civil engineering department.
In addition, people from the China Aid Air Force also came because they were really curious about the test flight of a wooden plane.
. . . . . .
"Baifu, are you so optimistic about this young man? Are you going to let him have a hard time?" Old Chen looked at the wooden plane not far away and really didn't know what to say.
He wouldn't have come here originally. Although the Japanese army had not yet started preparing to attack Wuhan, he had a lot of things on his hands and how could he have time to pay attention to a little person.
Lao Zhou said that his men had built a wooden airplane and were preparing to fly it. He was a little curious, so he stopped by to see the strangeness.
"I think this young man is quite interesting. He is not greedy or possessive, he is affectionate and righteous, he is devoted to the country, he has the ability, and he has no background. Where can you find such a young man?
I heard that he gave part of the money awarded to him by the government to the relatives of the few people who died in Nanjing to protect him, and the rest was used to build airplanes. Where can I find such a person? "Lao Zhou smiled and spoke for Li Hang.
Among the four people before, except for the one in Jiangxi, Li Hang went there in person. For the other three, he had people send medals, family letters and money on their behalf.
There are many reasons. The problem of money depreciation is one, and Li Hang's lack of time and inconvenience are also important factors.
"Baifu, what you said is wrong. There are still many people like this in the National Government at this time, such as the pilots in the Air Force." Old Chen reminded with a smile.
"Other pilots are not as capable as him, and their background is not as simple as his." Lao Zhou emphasized.
"You want to make him one of your own?"
"That's not a hurry. The other party doesn't seem to be interested in these things. I just think this young man is quite interesting. I am also his leader, so naturally I can't ignore him."
The two of them looked towards the tarmac while talking.
How should I put it? There were many people watching, and most of them looked at it in surprise, not thinking that this crudely made and improvised wooden plane could fly.
Most people in the 23rd Squadron had the same idea.
In the air battle, they all admired Li Hang, but building an airplane was not the same as flying one, especially flying such a crude wooden airplane.
"Squadron leader, why don't I go? I'm really worried that this plane won't work." When Zhou Zhikai saw Li Hang getting ready to get on the plane, he immediately stopped the latter.
"Are you doubting my ability?" Li Hang asked back.
"Squadron Captain, I am here for your safety."
"If there is really a problem with this plane, wouldn't it be the same if you came? My emergency response capabilities are better than yours, so I believe I will be fine.
And the plane's gliding ability is quite good, isn't it? "Li Hang smiled and pointed to the long and wide wings of the wooden plane in front of him.
"Squadron Captain, but..."
Zhou Zhikai still wanted to try to stop it, but was interrupted by Li Hang, "Don't try to persuade me. With so many people watching, if I shrink from the battle, where will I put my face? I have already agreed. If I get through smoothly, you guys will The crowd needs to treat me well."
"Squadron leader, if you come back successfully, I will treat you to delicious food with one month's salary." Liang Tiancheng promised immediately.
"Me too..."
"Me too..."
Zhou Zhikai and others were not to be outdone, and the atmosphere suddenly changed.
Seeing these people's reactions, Li Hang smiled, stepped on the stool, flipped up the wing, and sat on the seat that was removed from the Hawker II.
