At the secret flight test ground outside Berlin, two strange-looking aircraft were already ready, their silver wings shining brightly in the sunlight. What catches the viewer's attention most is that neither of these two aircraft actually have propellers - yes, they are both the world's earliest jet aircraft. One is a test aircraft developed by Heinkel, code-named He-280. The engines are installed in the wing nacelles on both sides. It adopts a straight wing design with elliptical wing tips. There are twin vertical tails arranged on both sides of the flat tail. The power is two It has Heinkel axial flow turbojet engines, each with a thrust of 500 kg. The other is a verification aircraft developed by Messerschmitt, code-named Me-262. The aerodynamic layout is not much different from that of the He-280, but if you look closely, you can still see the difference. The nearly triangular tail fin intersects at the tail in a cross. , two axial-flow turbojet engines produced by Junkers are installed directly under the swept lower wing, with a thrust of 550 kilograms.
This is an extremely important display, not only because the head of state is here to watch it in person, but also because the Imperial Air Force will determine the bidding results for the new generation aircraft based on the performance of this test flight and a comprehensive evaluation of the results of previous tests. The order quantity will be in thousands. The weather is clear and the wind is not strong at the moment, which is a good time for a test flight. According to the original plan, the project was to start at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, but now it is almost 3 o'clock, and we still have not received the start order. The test pilots, ground staff and related technicians on the side have repeatedly inspected the aircraft. Now they can only look at the conference room of the command center eagerly, hoping that the big shots will come out to observe early, while they pass the time with bored bragging and chatting. , after all, the feeling of waiting is not pleasant.
"Schulz, I heard that Fatty's downfall was because he offended the Führer? Himmler accused him of being a traitor?" Although the products of the two companies are rivals, the test pilots are very good friends. Let's exchange our views on the aircraft together, "You are always a well-informed person, who do you think can take over from the Commander-in-Chief?"
"How can we discuss the matters of important people?" Schultz frowned, looked at the surrounding flag-guard soldiers on guard duty, and whispered, "If I were you, I would not get involved in this kind of thing. Get out of trouble and hide as far away as you can."
"Come on, except for slandering the Führer, there is nothing else you dare to say. Didn't the Imperial Marshal look like a clown to you before?" Wendell's test flight was the Me-262, and he fought with Schultz After talking to each other for a long time, I couldn't help but expose the other party's background, "Tell me, how uncomfortable it is to hold it in your heart. If it's worthwhile, I'll treat you to a club for a drink tonight."
"Didn't you see that the Yuan Dynasty capital was present in person today? The meeting has been delayed in ending. Seeing that the test flight time has been delayed from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock, there may be a fierce quarrel inside. This is the first time I have encountered such a strange situation. Who can It's hard to say when I will take over as Commander-in-Chief, but I'm afraid a new round of purges in the Air Force is inevitable—if you still remember the purges of the Stormtroopers back then."
Wendell shrugged indifferently: "It's okay to scare the big shots by purging or something, but it doesn't matter to a pure-blooded Aryan like me. Maybe there will be a few vacant positions above."
"Forget it, I'll tell you if you want to hear it so much. I really can't guess the successor of the Commander-in-Chief, but as you said, Marshal Milch is stepping aside. The Gestapo has found him again. Now there is no one to protect him. The wind and rain are out of the way, so I will probably quit the test pilot team next time."
"What does this have to do with you?" Wendell asked puzzledly, "If you could really establish a friendship with Marshal Milch, you wouldn't just be a captain after so many years."
"Really, think about it." Schulz explained patiently, "After Milch stepped aside, Dr. Messerschmitt had no opponents. With his skills and connections, plus the success of the previous test flights, Dr. Messerschmitt had no opponents. The performance of Me-262 is better than that of He-280, so there is almost no suspense in winning the order. Without the project, I naturally don't have to perform test flight missions anymore."
Wendel remained silent. He knew that Schulz was right: in 1928, when Milch was still chairman of the German Civil Aviation and president of Lufthansa, Messerschmitt developed the M20 passenger aircraft. As a result, Milch's close friend was testing it. The M20 died in a flying accident. In addition to grief, Milch believed that Messerschmitt was responsible for the death of his good friend, and lacked sympathy afterwards, and became his lifelong enemy. After the Bf-109 design was completed, Messerschmitt was almost unable to obtain government orders under Milch's nose, and had to turn to selling M37 and M36 transport aircraft to Romania to maintain business operations. After Milch learned of the incident, he publicly accused Messerschmitt of being a traitor and ordered the Gestapo to investigate. Fortunately, Messerschmitt had a close relationship with Deputy Head of State Rudolf Hess, so the matter was settled. In the development process of jet aircraft, although the Me-262 started slightly late, its performance has always been better than that of the He-280. It was only because of Milch's obstruction that the Air Force was reluctant to determine the status of the Me-262. If Milch were to fall, Dr. Messerschmitt would certainly be among the people applauding and celebrating.
"What are you going to do if you don't become a test pilot? Go to the Eastern Front?"
"No." Schulz said mockingly, "Now no one shouts, 'Everyone in Germany who can fly is under my control.' The navy is planning to establish its own aviation force. The head of state approved an aviation force with about 400 aircraft. In terms of the establishment of aircraft, the Navy is now desperately recruiting personnel from the Air Force. Some of the people in the past were frustrated job hoppers, some were thorns pushed out by their superiors, and some were lunatics eager for adventure... I am also going to go Navy, maybe a change of scenery would be good for my rank."
"Hahaha, I see you have taken all three parts! What I didn't say, I have to treat you to a good meal to see you off..."
"Stop shouting...the head of state is here."
Schultz's speculation was completely logical: because there were so many things involved, the Aviation Arms Coordination Meeting, which was originally scheduled to end in one hour, was forced to be postponed for another hour, thus delaying the test flight time. The meeting was uneventful at first. After Keitel's speech, Speer, known as the economic head and the soul of the wartime system, officially announced that he would take over the aircraft manufacturing, production organization and raw material allocation rights from the Air Force Technical Department. From now on, the Air Force Technical Department will only Although everyone feels it is difficult to accept the purely technical function, they also know that it is imperative - it is a wartime system. What's more, this situation is by no means unique to the aircraft manufacturing industry. The tank manufacturing industry has already taken the lead in adjusting and optimizing.
Some people murmured privately: "Looking at this situation, I'm afraid that in a while the equipment departments of the three armed forces will be separated from the services and become a subordinate agency of the Imperial Armament Department."
"Army equipment department? You underestimate the architect's appetite. A wartime system management committee will soon be established to take charge of the overall situation. At that time, the head of state will be in command and Speer will be in charge of the overall responsibility. It will be similar to the Imperial Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labor. (Tote Organization), the Ministry of Weapons and Military Industry are only at the level of subordinate agencies, and the equipment departments of the three armed forces are probably even more waiting. Haven't you heard of his slogan - everything is to win!"
Apparently, everyone in the congregation was not convinced by Speer, who had suddenly risen to a high position and had yet to show his prominence, thinking that he had only made his fortune by serving as an architectural designer for the Führer. Soon their idea was hit by a storm - the head of state who came to attend the meeting in person instructed Speer to raise the case on aviation rearmament.
"The "Aviation Armament Reorganization Case" was personally reviewed and approved by the head of state. There is only one core - in the future, aircraft manufacturing must compress multi-model production lines, concentrate the production and subsequent improvements of a single model, and at the same time carry out large-scale decentralized collaborative production, that is, Different parts of the same model of aircraft are produced by different manufacturers, and are finally assembled at the assembly plant, and the design company is no longer emphasized to complete the production. This determination is unshakable. If you are opposed to this or have doubts, I suggest you go to the Army to find out Let's talk about the tank rearmament case."
Everyone gasped. The tank rearmament case was no longer a secret in high-level circles: the production lines of the No. 2 and No. 3 tanks, which had made great contributions to the empire, were ruthlessly terminated. In the future, the Army will no longer produce No. 2 tanks. The existing No. 2 tanks Those that have been equipped will also be gradually phased out, either sold to the Axis brothers in exchange for strategic supplies, or returned to the factory and converted into self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles (equipped with four 20mm cannons). The luck of the Panzer III tank was slightly better. The chassis production line continued to be retained and was dedicated to the production of the Panzer III assault gun that the infantry most needed. The head of state has issued an order that before the end of 1942, all Panzer III tanks must be returned to the factory and transformed into assault guns. Even the Panzer IV tanks cannot escape the fate of transformation. All Panzer IV tanks with short barrels will be discontinued, and the ones that have been produced will also be discontinued. It will be gradually converted into the No. 4 G type with long body tube.
The Army General Staff had initially criticized such a major change, but was mute in the face of Speer's unequivocal assurance that after the transition to the wartime system, the factories would organize production in three shifts and increase output. Military plans will not be delayed. Speer even made a bet: He promised to complete the modification task of the relevant old model tanks as scheduled within the next six months and at the same time provide the Wehrmacht with new tanks equivalent to 150% of the original order, and all of them were the latest Type IV G. Considering that the gap between the No. 2 and No. 3 tanks still needs to be made up, this quantity is more than double the original production capacity. If he cannot do it, he will resign directly and go home, but if Speer completes this plan, then one by one of the generals in the Supreme Command and the Army General Staff who question this will stand guard for him for a week. , until all rounds are completed. This bet frightened the originally aggressive generals. They muttered, but no one dared to step forward to accept Speer's challenge.
This bet was so famous that it spread throughout the imperial armament community within two days. Now all military-industrial enterprises and military services knew of Speer's determination, and the aviation industry was no exception. Everyone at the venue held their breath. Wait for the following.
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