Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Training Ship "Shilang" No. 83

“Cat Paw 3 received! Please speak!”

Two twin-engine J-15 "Dark Sabre" carrier-based aircraft maintained an altitude of 4,000 meters, circling around the No. 83 training ship, which had been transformed from the Varyag aircraft carrier, performing synchronized barrel rolls to train pilots in maintaining spatial awareness during long flights over the sea, avoiding the deadly illusion created by the blue sky and blue sea.

“The instructor sent by the higher-ups has already taken off from Lingshui Base and is flying towards us. I need to reconfirm their location; the onboard radar hasn’t detected them yet. The IFF identification code is ‘P-51’, and the ID code has already been sent.”

“Cat Paw 4, we are climbing to 13,000 meters. Activate the radar and scan at a 15-degree climb angle, speed 800, heading due north.”

“Understood, Cat Paw 3.”

The two J-15 carrier-based aircraft quickly ceased their barrel rolls, raised their noses for an upward climb, and the flames from their twin-engine nozzles intensified as the planes synchronously began to ascend.

“Cat Paw 3, why would they suddenly send a carrier-based instructor here? We already have fourteen instructors!”

“I don’t know. We have nine captains here too, so what’s strange about having more instructors?”

“I can’t figure it out. Weren’t the names all lined up before departure? Why is someone being added now? Is it someone with connections wanting to gain prestige?”

“Don’t say that! That’s an upper-level issue; we just need to focus on training. Make sure to tighten the throttle during your landing; don’t be like last time when you broke all four arrestor wires and couldn’t stop. Alright, we’ve reached 13,100 meters, level off, and turn on the radar to scan.”

“Okay, okay, I’m curious about who this new instructor is. The radar is on and scanning.”

“Signal detected! Distance 337 kilometers, altitude 200 meters. That’s low! Speed 600 kilometers! Initiating IFF recognition. The system confirms the signal as ‘P-51’. Correct, Cat Paw 4, do you see it?”

Compared to land-based fighters, carrier-based aircraft have higher requirements for radar detection range and precision due to their need for sea attack. The J-15’s onboard AESA radar is more advanced than that of the J-10 and J-11; climbing to a sufficient altitude allows it to avoid the Earth’s curvature effects and detect targets at greater distances.

“Cat Paw 3, I see it too. Yes, it’s them. I’ll forward this to the bridge.”

“Calling the bridge, we have detected the ‘P-51’. It is 330 kilometers away, heading this way.”

“Understood. Training Group 2, you go intercept it.”

“Got it. Cat Paw 3 received.”

“Cat Paw 4 received!”

The two J-15 "Dark Sabre" jets gradually reduced altitude. At over 5,000 meters, they had to turn on the oxygen supply system; at this height, fighters couldn’t hold out for long without oxygen. If they lost it, the pilots wouldn’t be able to endure.

Two clear white trails stretched into the northern sky.

“Two carrier-based aircraft detected, J-15 ‘Dark Sabre,’ quantity two! Estimated contact in fifteen minutes!”

Lin Mo squinted, instinctively categorizing the first aircraft he spotted as a potential target.

The P-51 "Mustang" had a small onboard radar that couldn’t detect such distant targets, nor could it find stealthier fighters. It could only serve as a close-range missile evasion and visual supplement, and the piston engine couldn’t support the power needed for an active phased array radar.

Recognizing the two approaching J-15 "Dark Sabre" aircraft was possible because of Lin Mo’s standard flying technique: the Airborne Light Mirror Technique, a unique aerial ace in this world.

The appearance of these carrier-based aircraft indicated that Lin Mo’s destination, the No. 83 aircraft carrier training ship, was not far off.

He slowly raised the nose of the aircraft, leaving behind ultra-low altitude flying and rapidly climbing up.

Flying at ultra-low altitudes was also for secrecy, as shipborne radars generally struggle to detect targets beyond 50 kilometers. Originally, Lin Mo wanted to avoid American attention and wouldn’t raise the aircraft much higher to scare off the RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, all for this reason.

The fuel gauge read about a third remaining, and Lin Mo hadn’t discarded the auxiliary fuel tank. He intended to use it again on the return trip; it should be enough.

Activating the long-unused radio, Lin Mo sent out a probing signal. Since the J-15 "Dark Sabre" and the P-51 "Mustang" were approaching each other head-on at great speed, they were already within radio communication range, thanks to his modifications.

If he had used the original radio of the "Mustang," the communication range would have been limited to visual range. Beyond that, even if signals could reach each other, the communication modes and encryption forms wouldn’t sync.

“This is ‘P-51,’ please identify yourself.”

“Here is Training Group 2, Cat Paw 3 and Cat Paw 4. We have detected you. Uh, instructor, are you alone? What kind of aircraft is that?”

“Yes, I’m flying the plane by myself.”

The pilots of the two J-15 "Dark Sabre" aircraft were completely stunned upon catching a glimpse of Lin Mo’s P-51 "Mustang" piston fighter.

The onboard computer system couldn’t identify the type of aircraft due to its modified status. The avionics were all makeshift, lacking devices to automatically transmit identification signals. The two J-15 pilots initially thought it should be a two-seater or another single-engine twin-engine "Dark Sabre."

However, the onboard computer system couldn’t recognize the aircraft type and could only confirm the identity signal on the radar screen.

“Cat Paw 3, I think that must be a P-51 ‘Mustang’!”

The pilot from Cat Paw 4 visually identified the aircraft passing below them.

“It should be! What is going on?”

“Don’t be surprised; this is my personal ride! Hahaha!”

Lin Mo smiled slightly, not changing his flight path, while the two J-15 "Dark Sabre" aircraft reacted by making a loop and coming back around. The nose of the aircraft erupted with a sonic boom as they quickly followed closely, one on the left and one on the right, flanking the P-51 "Mustang."

“Instructor, you’re amazing!”

The pilot in Cat Paw 4, on the left side, gave a thumbs-up to the P-51 "Mustang," which was on the same horizontal line to the right, exclaiming, “You rock!”

Flying a personal fighter jet to work was indeed quite unique.

Lin Mo responded with a V sign.

“Maintain altitude at 1,000 meters! 11 o’clock direction! Keep this speed!” The voice of Cat Paw 3 came over the radio.

After about ten minutes, a massive aircraft carrier appeared in sight.

The No. 83 aircraft carrier training ship was constructed by the Ukrainian Black Sea shipyard under the commission of the former Soviet Union and later modified by Dalian Shipyard in China. Initially named the "Varyag" aircraft carrier, it had a full displacement of 57,000 tons, was 304 meters long, with a waterline length of 281 meters, a waterline depth of 10.5 meters, and a flight deck measuring 300 meters. It was powered by four steam turbines using heavy diesel fuel, generating a maximum power of 200,000 horsepower and achieving a top speed of 31 knots. It had an operational range of 8,000 nautical miles and could sustain 15 days without resupply, accommodating 50 carrier-based aircraft, classifying it as a medium-sized aircraft carrier.

Several supply ships, medium cruisers, and medium frigates formed a quasi-carrier fleet nearby.

On the right side of the No. 83 aircraft carrier training ship "Shilang," the classic Soviet-style large bridge was very prominent.

Lin Mo heard the radio voice from the bridge: “This is Captain Li Xiaoyan of the No. 83 ‘Shilang’. Is that the ‘Mustang’?”

“I am the ‘Mustang’!”

“The landing runway is clear. You can land!”

“’Mustang’ understood! Please cancel the arresting wires; my P-51 doesn’t need them.”

“Okay, the cancellation will be completed in one minute. Please be mindful of the wind. It’s currently an east wind at level six, with potential to increase. Our ship has adjusted its position; please ensure safety.”

“’Mustang’ received! Thank you!”

“Wishing you a safe landing!”

Piston aircraft have short takeoff and landing distances, so the carrier’s runway posed no pressure for the P-51.

The news that the new carrier-based instructor had personally flown an old P-51 "Mustang" over spread quickly throughout the entire aircraft carrier.

Cadets from Dalian Naval Academy, tired of watching the J-15 "Dark Sabre" take off and land, flocked to the flight deck, as long as they weren’t on duty. They included pilots from the flight crew as well as the deck crew, engine crew, weather crew, Marine Corps, communication crew, and weapon crew, with numerous cadets in each position due to the nature of the training ship.

Many people stood along the sides of the takeoff and landing runways on the flight deck.

It was just short of waving flowers and beating drums in welcome, giving a warm reception.

The Marines on duty were dispersing those in unsafe positions to prevent overcrowding.

Many pilots from the aviation crew stood beside the landing runway, looking up at the sky. The P-51 "Mustang" began to circle, searching for a suitable landing angle.

The two J-15 "Dark Sabre" aircraft from Training Group 2 disengaged from the P-51 "Mustang" and began a wide-radius escort around the No. 83 aircraft carrier training ship "Shilang."

Not just them—many cadets were familiar with the renowned P-51 "Mustang" fighter from World War II.

“Did you see? The new instructor! How cool! He’s flying a P-51!”

“I wonder how skilled he is. I hope he doesn’t end up in the sea. Look, he doesn’t even want the arresting wires; we’ve met a real ace here.”

“Hope he doesn’t mess up, haha!”

“Liu Zhen, don’t talk nonsense!”