What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 240 Another Request (600 monthly votes in April)

A4E Skyhawk attack aircraft (1959)

Dimensions: Length 12.22 meters, wingspan 8.38 meters, height 4.57 meters

Weight: Empty weight 4750kg, Fully loaded weight 11136kg
Speed: 1078 km/h
Range: Internal fuel load 2468kg, theoretical range 1437km
Maximum service ceiling: 10242 meters

Required R&D: 16690 experience points

In the afternoon, at the shipyard, Tang Wen selected the model of the A4 attack aircraft.

The A4 was a high-performance aircraft, with approximately 3000 produced and countless variants.

59年原型机诞生的A4E是其中较为重大的一次改型，换装了普惠J52-P-6A发动机，将推力提升到32千牛的同时还降低了27%的油耗。

Meanwhile, its air intake and fuselage have also been optimized, increasing the maximum takeoff weight from over 7 tons to 11 tons, which is a remarkable figure.

The required R&D experience is about 1.7, which is really not much in comparison.

However, the supersonic versions of the F11-F1 are much more expensive:

F11-F-1 "Tiger" fighter jet (1955)

Dimensions: Length 12.45 meters, wingspan 9.64 meters, height 4.39 meters

Weight: Empty weight 7471kg, Fully loaded weight 11843kg
Speed: 2252 (12000 m) km/h
Range: Internal fuel load 2767kg, theoretical range 1828km
Maximum service ceiling: 15331 meters

Required R&D: 21850 experience points

The last Gulf of Aden battle yielded nearly 4 experience points, and with the crude oil inventory, Tang Wen has about 5 more experience points, which is almost enough for research.

Despite having some knowledge of the equipment, Tang Wen was undecided about whether to produce the F11.

The A4E is a good aircraft that has stood the test of time, but the F11 served in the Imperial Navy for too short a time, and in an era before the development of the Internet, there is almost no reliable information available, so its quality is questionable.

Another problem is that Tang Wen originally planned to use the A4E as a carrier-based advanced jet trainer, but he was unable to develop a modified two-seat version.

The proper two-seater version of the A4, the TA-4E, was to appear in 65, but the shipyard has no information on that.

If you need to modify the design, you need to provide at least the revised drawings.

But it was clear that Tang Yi wasn't cut out for this, and Tang Wen had no idea where to start.

If a warship breaks down, you can jump into the sea; but if an airplane malfunctions, your life is truly hanging by a thread.

This is a headache. I wish I had an aviation expert.

Just then, the office phone rang.

"Boss, someone wants to see you. They say they're the manager of the Hongdu branch."

Tang Wen's eyes lit up; what he said came true!
……

"Manager Zhao, or should I call you Chief Engineer Zhao?"

"They're all the same, there's really no difference."

After greeting everyone, Zhao Yaohua placed the two boxes of gifts on the table.

Regardless of whether the system is reformed or not, when the aviation system promotes aircraft, the designers usually take the lead, which means they handle both business and engineering. Zhao Yaohua adapted quickly.

Tang Wen fell silent when he saw the gifts he had given him: a box of malted milk powder in his left hand and a box of brain-boosting supplements in his right.

Shi Juzhu deserves to die.

"Quickly, pour tea for General Manager Zhao."

At this moment, the ship girl changed her outfit again. After discovering that Tang Wen was not very fond of the clothing of this era, she conjured up a black double-breasted naval uniform from who knows where.

However, Tang Wen asked her to remove her peaked cap and insignia, which, combined with her white undershirt and black tie, made her look like a formal secretary.

Jane showed no discomfort with this identity, pouring each of them a cup of black tea with extreme elegance in every gesture.

Zhao Yaohua was secretly amazed when he saw this scene. This Boss Tang was really impressive. He was able to hire a beautiful foreigner as his secretary, which subtly elevated his status.

Sheep people are a symbol of status!

However, someone who is suspected of being a mastermind who helped acquire the aircraft carrier should actually have that kind of charisma.

Zhao Yaohua's attitude became even more respectful, and he earnestly discussed the carrier-based modification of the CJ-6 with Tang Wen. Generally speaking, there were no surprises; the first batch would be delivered in two weeks, and the modification would be completed within the next month.

After all, the CET-6 has a simple and lightweight structure, and the original design bureau knew its structure very well, making it very easy to modify.

Tang Wen, meanwhile, had been observing Zhao Yaohua's behavior. During their conversation, he subtly probed Zhao's attitude towards foreigners, confirming that he was not the kind of person who wanted to get involved.

There's no way around it; that's just the current environment in China. Research institutes are in turmoil, and leaks are commonplace. After roughly confirming Zhao Yaohua's claims, he then said:

"Besides the CJ-6, I would also like to ask for your help in improving an aircraft."

"Let's talk about what kind of aircraft it is first. Hongdu has a wealth of design experience."

Tang Wen: "If, and I mean if, I had a physical A4E attack aircraft and some design data, how difficult would it be to convert it into a two-seat trainer version?"

This question caught Zhao Yaohua off guard: Is the A4E you're talking about the same A4E I'm thinking of?
"Yes, it's the 59 version of the A4E Skyhawk."

hiss--

Zhao Yaohua took a sip of tea to hide his shock, but still managed to ask, forcing himself to remain calm:

"How much design data is available? Is the actual aircraft in a flight-ready state, or is it only for static display, or are it made of disassembled parts?"

"The documentation is almost complete, the aircraft is in excellent condition, and there are plenty of spare parts, so it can fly at any time."

When can it be provided?

"Within a week."

Big news!

Although the A4 is far outdated, it is still an excellent aircraft that is in service in multiple regions and is theoretically still classified.

The fact that McDonnell Douglas could obtain a real, flyable aircraft and complete documentation suggests there might be a mole within the company.
Horrible, terrible.

But Zhao Yaohua also had his own questions:

"Excuse my bluntness, since we have the information on A4E, why not just get the information on TA-4E? That information is from over thirty years ago, so it shouldn't be too difficult."

If you've already managed to get into McDonnell Douglas, why not just go straight for the top spot?

Besides, the A4 is so outdated. McDonnell Douglas has the F18 and F15, which are much more advanced.

However, Tang Wen simply said "no comment" and asked again if it could be done.

"Yes, no problem!"

Although Hongdu Design Institute can only be considered a second-tier design institute in China, it has considerable experience in jet aircraft, so it can easily perform minor modifications on early subsonic aircraft like the A4.

"Even if we only have actual machine measurements, let alone design data, it wouldn't be difficult to modify it into a two-seater. After all, there is also publicly available information about the TA4E, so we can just copy it."

His confident demeanor pleased Tang Wen, who then raised the second question:
"I also have a personal question: what are the performance characteristics of the F11-F1 variant? Is it safe? Are there any major risks associated with carrier-based takeoffs and landings?"

This really stumped Zhao Yaohua. The F11 was not well-known, and most early jet aircraft designs had flaws. There was also little publicly available information, and no one except the Imperial Navy had ever used it. So, to analyze its carrier-based performance, he couldn't just make things up.

And why is Tang Wen asking this? Does he also have an actual F-11?
However... the fact that one model ultimately failed speaks volumes.

Zhao Yaohua thought for a while, and finally said simply:
"Mr. Tang, I'm not familiar with this model. How about I ask McDonnell Douglas for you?"

Tang Wen: !
After finally managing to shock Tang Wen, Zhao Yaohua smiled:

"During the honeymoon period, I got to know a lot of people from McDonnell Douglas. The F11 and A4 are old-fashioned, so asking them shouldn't be a problem."

By the way, you're not planning to publicly use the A4 and F11 here, are you?

"Can't you?"

McDonnell Douglas will sue you for copyright infringement!

"But he can't really impose any sanctions."

Zhao Yaohua was speechless for a moment, and after a long while, he nodded in astonishment.

Perhaps the Navy gave the order; does the Navy intend to use A4?

Why not just buy the modified Q-5 carrier-based version from us? Isn't the Q-5 better than the A-4?
Zhao Yaohua's face darkened. How much they looked down on our Hongdu Police Station! We had to react properly!
"Alright, I'll take this task for now. Also..."

As they were talking, an SBD flew by outside. Zhao Yaohua paused before saying:
"Is that Super Yorktown ship for your own use?"

"of course not."

Zhao Yaohua breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little disappointed.

Tang Wen corrected his mistake:
"These are performance props from the Dawan Scenic Area. The scenic area belongs to the Dawan Village collective, not to me personally."

I only have the right to use it for 24 hours a day; the real owners are all the villagers.

(End of this chapter)