Chapter 275

Chapter 275: Road Trip to the South

Through a large collection of commercial marketing books bought on behalf of others, Pashtun Sally eagerly absorbed knowledge like a sponge, gradually growing and broadening her horizons.

Under the leadership of this Pashtun female CEO, Dragoon Mining Company began to take shape and steadily grow, bit by bit.

As Gem Valley embarked on a grand construction initiative, Lin Mo did not stay at the Night Special Forces base.

The previous mission had been a carefully arranged trap set by foreign forces, and it had been identified as highly likely to be so. Consequently, the Night Special Forces had been exposed to some degree. To prevent any adverse events from impacting Lin Mo again, higher-ups arranged for a period of inactivity until the storm subsided, after which Lin Mo could resume activities.

Colonel Qi’s proposed external “vacation mission” was still under approval, and it was uncertain when he would receive the orders to take a break.

Since the aircraft were unavailable, it made little sense to remain at the aircrew group’s hangar, especially with the domestic aircraft manufacturing orders already fully booked. It was not that they didn’t want to earn money; rather, production efficiency was slow to improve—this was not a printing press but involved time-consuming precision machining reliant on the quality rates from component factories.

Moreover, there was no clear timeline for the arrival of new planes, with models still undecided, such as J-10A, J-10B, or J-11. There had been no approvals from the authorities.

A pilot without an aircraft was worse than an infantryman; certainly, if Gold Coin didn’t gain anything, it wouldn’t provide a seat for Lin Mo’s flight training.

Thus, Lin Mo found his "little mistress." That’s right, a little mistress. Besides Lin Mo’s original J-10, the other partner "monstrous" was the P-51 Mustang, which just happened to be his little mistress.

This P-51 Mustang, stationed at an air force base in central China, had undergone significant transformations, appearing entirely rejuvenated.

With a standard camouflage paint job and large August 1 logos, any foreigner who saw it would surely feel like spitting blood. How did an original American WWII plane end up in China’s active combat aircraft lineup?

For Lin Mo, this ace pilot, the operational tasks executed with this aircraft bore little difference from those performed with the previous J-10A, following designated flight paths.

Unlike the scarcity in Afghanistan, resources were ample at home. The refurbishment of the P-51 Mustang went incredibly smoothly, and placing a few orders for parts cost very little. There was even no need for specialized aircraft manufacturing factories; regular mechanical processing businesses could handle it.

Piston fighters are structurally much simpler than jet fighters, especially the cockpit instrumentation, resembling a slightly more involved car dashboard, without even a radar onboard.

After further modifications, the gun positions on both sides of the wings were converted into two 85-type 12.7mm machine guns, with automatic feed boxes holding 300 rounds each. The underwing mounts were modified to carry short-range missiles and a Rocket Pod, with the two mounts per wing being more than sufficient. Below the belly, an infrared flare launcher was added, capable of firing 24 flares continuously.

Additionally, a computer system was installed inside the aircraft, and the cockpit bore little difference compared to modern fighter cockpits, albeit with significant simplifications. While waiting for the arrival of a formal aircraft, Lin Mo maximized the performance limits of the P-51 Mustang within existing parameters.

Not being able to mount fire control radar like jet fighters, Lin Mo installed a small disc-shaped radar on the fuselage behind the cockpit. It wasn’t powerful, but it effectively handled targets within a 20km range.

Fire control radar was impossible to install unless an electronic pod was mounted. However, the P-51 Mustang was not suited for beyond-visual-range locking attacks, so being able to carry short-range air-to-air missiles was already its limit.

Incorporating modern high-precision equipment and technologies into this vintage fighter not only did not add weight but actually helped this “Mustang” shed some cumbersome equipment, successfully reducing weight by nearly a ton. The engine components were upgraded with better quality parts, further elevating the entire aircraft’s performance.

Under Lin Mo’s modifications, this P-51 Mustang reached the performance limits of piston fighters, significantly improving endurance, even surpassing that of the J-10.

In fact, this P-51D had load standards not inferior to those of the J-8, capable of withstanding 7.33G, with theoretical design values exceeding 12G, thus providing ample room for further modifications. It would not be enough for Lin Mo to tinker with another aircraft.

As long as Lin Mo could maintain it and refrained from unauthorized flights, the higher-ups truly did not care whether a pilot possessed such a toy. The upkeep and usage of aircraft are essential; fighter jets are not private cars, and such accidents rarely occur.

Just as Lin Mo finished organizing the P-51 Mustang, new orders from higher-ups arrived at the air force base where he was stationed, commanding him to head to the South China Sea to join the Dalian Naval Academy’s training ship No. 83 for military exercises and serve as a flight instructor for the aircraft carrier pilots.

During his time as a test pilot at National Defense Star Aerospace Company (NDS), Lin Mo had already impressed many domestic experts and aviation professionals with his flying skills.

An ace pilot proficient in aircraft design, familiar with mechanical structures, and possessing practical skills was being groomed to create his exclusive fighter. No one would question the superiors’ decision in this regard.

Having experienced conflicts and completed several real combat missions, this ace pilot had extensive combat experience, flying various fighter jets, including the J-10, L-15 Falcon, J-8, FC-1 Fighter Jet, X-1 experimental machine, J-14, and J-20. His aerial dogfighting skills were top-notch, and he felt no pressure in assuming the role of flight instructor aboard China’s first aircraft carrier.

Even performing short take-offs and landings on the carrier was well within his skill set.

Lin Mo departed alone; the command provided him with only a coordinate area and arrival time.

Transportation? None!

Lin Mo brought his own rations, daily necessities, and aircraft, flying there himself once again on a road trip.

It was ridiculous—an excellent aircraft design expert, a skilled mechanic, plus an aerial ace, could effortlessly retrieve another aircraft if ejected. Just to accommodate him with specialized warships for transport or carrier-borne aircraft would be a waste of resources, costing enough for Lin Mo’s salary for a decade.

It was far more convenient for Lin Mo to pilot the P-51 Mustang, which he had obtained for free.

The No. 83 aircraft carrier, acquired from Ukraine, was originally the Varyag aircraft carrier, remodeled at Dalian Shipyard. It is a medium-sized conventionally powered aircraft carrier equipped with formidable anti-ship, air defense, and anti-submarine weaponry, powered by four steam turbines and four steam boilers, with four shafts and double rudders.

The bow features a ski-jump take-off deck, and the carrier’s midsection houses four aircraft landing arrestor wires and one emergency engagement net. The bridge is situated on the right side of the flight deck, with a lift for aircraft/storage in the front and back, and it has formally entered service as China’s first aircraft carrier.

This 300-meter-long flight deck posed no challenge for the P-51 Mustang’s take-off and landing.

With the order in hand, Lin Mo quickly prepared. Without mounting missiles, he kept it light by loading only belt ammunition into the wing guns for self-defense, attaching two dropable auxiliary fuel tanks to the wings, and directly took off with his personal belongings.

“Calling ‘Mustang’! Calling ‘Mustang’! This is ‘Turtle,’ please respond if you hear me!”

Lin Mo’s P-51 Mustang refueled at Lingshui Air Force Base and took to the skies, navigating toward the designated coordinates using satellite navigation.

As soon as he entered international waters, the radio crackled with the tower’s voice from Lingshui, with the identifier “Turtle.” They did not exhibit much surprise toward this unusual aircraft passing by.

As aviation professionals, they recognized this WWII model, which had thrived in service, with a maximum range of 3860 kilometers, easily flying directly from Beijing to Sanya.

Of course, it could also depart from Sanya, cross the South China Sea, and even fly over the Spratly Islands to reach Malaysia. The higher authorities decided to let Lin Mo pilot this vintage piston fighter to the assembly area partly for this reason; the P-51 performed impeccably on long trips.

“‘Mustang’ received! What can I do for you?”

Lin Mo activated the Light Mirror Technique and overlaid the radar screen, starting a routine scan of within a 100-kilometer range.

“According to meteorological satellite remote sensing, the region at longitude ×× and latitude ×× may experience seventh-degree wind and waves. It is advised to return for rest and wait for favorable weather conditions before proceeding.”

It seemed Lingshui Air Force Base received the latest weather data; if not managed well, landing in seventh-degree wind and waves would pose challenges.

“‘Mustang’ received, no problem! I can handle it!”

Lin Mo was no stranger to flying in adverse weather conditions; during his time in the Su Lan Empire, he had frequently fought deadly battles against enemy aerial knights in fierce winds and storms alongside Gold Coin.

“Please ensure your safety! Wish you a smooth journey!”

Since there was no direct command, “Turtle” did not forcefully order Lin Mo to return. As a pilot, self-discipline was critical; if it was feasible, he could proceed; if not, he shouldn’t push himself. Lin Mo’s assurance also reassured “Turtle” that he could manage.