Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 146 From the East? A Boeing 707?
Two weeks is a very tight schedule. We need to make improvements to the Y-10 transport aircraft, coordinate the transport of supplies for it, and find buyers in the West in advance...

June arrived, and Qin Liang finally finished all his work. When he arrived at the airport, he looked around at the empty space and felt a pang of emotion.

Most people still don't dare to sit there!

"Qin Liang, Northwestern Polytechnical University still doesn't recommend that you..." Director Luo came to see him off personally, his face full of worry.

Vroom, vroom! Just then, a Hongqi sedan drove into the airport and stopped next to the Y-10 with a sharp screech of brakes.

A general in a green military uniform stepped out of the car, and Qin Liang was momentarily stunned: "Old Lin?"

"Yeah, I heard you're going to take the Y-10 over there. I really admire that! I've got some free time these days, so I'll go with you on the Y-10 to the airshow!"

What?
"Old Lin, you are a hero of our Air Force, you..."

"What do you mean, kid? You look down on Old Lin? Old Ma, you be the judge!"

Old Ma, who was standing to the side, instantly had tears in his eyes. Even a high-ranking official like Old Lin had come to support the Y-10! The future of the Y-10 must be bright!
"Come on, let's get on! This is such a big plane, we can sit wherever we want... Hey, what's that on the wingtip?"

"This is..." Old Ma was about to give a technical explanation when Qin Liang interrupted.

"A new look for the old, a new look to celebrate the spring breeze of reform; from the past to the present, welcoming an open society. Since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, our country has undergone earth-shaking changes, and the changes at Northwestern Polytechnical University are even more remarkable. Our Y-10 aircraft has also completely broken with the past. These two small wings not only represent our raising our hands to support the country's new policies, but also the red heart of our Y-10 R&D team, forever loyal to the Party, and showcasing our new image to the world..."

Old Lin looked at Qin Liang with a complicated expression. "You've stayed at Northwestern Polytechnical University all this time, and you know the capital's attitude towards the Y-10. You're actively seeking change!"

Director Luo was stunned. What did Qin Liang mean by this? When did this guy develop such keen political intuition? But... in the early years, everyone only focused on technology and suffered great losses as a result. Now... we need talents like Qin Liang.

Old Ma's mouth gaped open, and it took him a long time to react: "Qin Liang is right, this Xiao Yi is a symbol of our transformation and welcoming of the new era..."

"Okay, I got it, let's go up!"

Inside the Y-10, economy class.

The plane has a single aisle layout with three seats on each side. The blue seat covers look neat and elegant. It's just a pity that because it's a private jet and was manufactured by the Shanghai Aircraft Factory, it wasn't delivered to the civil aviation industry. Therefore, there are no pretty flight attendants on board.

However, the seats are large and the space between them is wide enough that even if Mr. Sun, who performs crosstalk, came up, there would be enough room for him to sit.

"Come on, let's go to the front, first class!" Old Lin said. "I brought a few parachutes in my luggage. Once we're up there, I'll teach you how to use them. In the future, Northwestern Polytechnical University should also offer a skydiving course..."

Qin Liang felt a surge of emotion. Old Lin didn't actually need to take the risk; it was all because of him!

"No rush, there's plenty of time along the way." Qin Liang decided to continue his efforts to persuade the military to purchase more along the route—early warning aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, electronic warfare aircraft, they all need them!

Paris has three airports. Charles de Gaulle Airport is the aviation hub of Europe, handling the majority of international flights. Orly Airport was the most important airport in Paris before Charles de Gaulle Airport was built, but now it only handles some international and domestic flights. As for Le Bourget Airport, located northeast of Paris, it was the first airport in Paris, opening in 1919. Its status has greatly declined since then, and besides handling some civilian flights, its main function is hosting air shows.

June has arrived, and in the lead-up to the Paris Air Show, many exhibition areas have already begun to be set up, featuring everything from the C-5 Galaxy to four-seat propeller trainer aircraft, creating a lively atmosphere.

As the host, Dassault's booth was located in the center and was also the largest. At this moment, Delasco was directing more than a dozen ground crew to adjust the position of a brand-new delta wing fighter jet. Below the cockpit, there was a line of words written in a flamboyant style, which seemed to start with M and followed by the number 2000.

When he heard the roar of engines overhead, he looked up and saw the large passenger plane flying in.

"Boeing 707? Why would Boeing still send such an outdated aircraft over here?"

"I reckon they're still trying to make easy money," said Jean-Jacques Samin, Dassault's best designer, with disdain. "If Dassault continues to make passenger planes, Boeing won't stand a chance."

After saying that, he continued to look at his plane.

"Something's not right. Why is there a red thing sticking up from the tip of this plane's wing?" Just then, another staff member spoke up.

Delasco shielded his eyes from the sunlight and looked up at the sky. By then, the passenger plane had flown even closer, and he could clearly see the wingtips of the plane extending upwards, which were particularly conspicuous because they were painted red.

"Winglet? This technology is already in commercial use?" Samin was somewhat surprised. "It seems that Boeing, when it comes to developing commercial airliners... humph, is still no match for Dassault."

“No, no, look at the tail, there’s a red sign over there!” Delasco’s voice was loud.

The red background and five yellow five-pointed stars are the symbols of the East. This plane... is an Eastern Airlines Boeing 707 passenger plane? Did it fly to the wrong airport?
No, no, the fuselage doesn't have civil aviation livery, this is... here to participate in the airshow!
The East can actually build such a large passenger plane?
"Let's go and take a look!"

The Y-10 glided onto the runway with the most graceful movement. After it came to a stop, an airport tow truck towed it toward the designated exhibition area. Along the way, countless people pointed and commented.

Eastern passenger plane!
Dongfang can actually build the Boeing 707!
After the plane came to a stop, the gangway moved over, and two figures came down from it with smiles on their faces.

"Wow, so many people are watching! Looks like I made the right choice coming here!"

"Yes, Mr. Lin, these are just our colleagues. When the exhibition officially opens, our booth will definitely attract a large number of visitors."

“That’s right, you’re absolutely right!” Old Lin nodded: “Our Eastern aviation technology…”

"Isn't this an Eastern exhibition booth? Why did they bring a Boeing 707? Even if they added a small wingtip, it's nothing special. In 1897, British engineer Frederick Lanchester applied for a patent for placing a tailplate vertically at the wingtip to control wingtip vortices. That's technology from a hundred years ago!"

The sound was very loud, and it was clearly rhythmic!

Qin Liang looked at the person who spoke. "Oh, it's an old acquaintance!" he thought. "This guy actually got transferred back from Old Ba's overhaul plant? Since you're sticking your neck out, then we'll use you to build a reputation for our Y-10!"
"Mr. Delasco, are you sure this advanced Y-10 aircraft of ours is a Boeing 707?"

(End of this chapter)