You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you brought out a Tiger tank?

"Besides fighter jets, we also need specialized reconnaissance aircraft and high-altitude surface bombers!"

Zhao Feixiong also harbored a strong desire:

"It is impolite not to reciprocate."

If the Japanese can bomb our airport, we also need to have the capability to fly over and bomb their stronghold.

Although we now have the JU-87 Stuka dive bomber.

However, if the Stuka is equipped with external fuel tanks to perform long-range missions, its range can reach more than 1200 kilometers, but its payload will be severely reduced.

Moreover, when it comes to bombing heavily defended enemy airfields, dive bombing is always far more dangerous than high-altitude horizontal bombing, as it is far too easy for the enemy to be shot down by dense ground anti-aircraft fire.

After listening, Lin Feng nodded in deep agreement.

The Stuka is an "airborne artillery" designed to provide close-range fire support for infantry and to destroy tanks and bunkers; it is indeed not well-suited for strategic bombing.

"Okay, your suggestion is very insightful, I've taken it into consideration."

But in reality, he didn't know whether the single-engine Ju-87 could be directly upgraded to a twin-engine Hans tactical bomber such as the Do-17 or Ju-88.

Lin Feng patted Zhao Feixiong on the shoulder:

"Okay, you go and rest first."

"I'll figure out a way to handle the plane issue."

As night fell, Lin Feng wandered alone into the spacious hangar.

Before me, a BF-109E fighter jet, fresh from maintenance, sat quietly, its fuselage gleaming with a cold metallic sheen under the dim light.

Beside it was a fighter jet that had sustained minor damage during the daytime battle.

Ground crew had already removed its engine cowling, and on the steel frame next to it were the two 20mm MG FF cannons that had been removed from the wings.

Lin Feng stepped forward, reached out and touched the cold cannon barrel, then focused his gaze on the intact fighter jet and brought up the system interface.

Next, the system presented new upgrade options.

He can spend 30 merit points to upgrade the aircraft into a professional reconnaissance model equipped with a high-resolution aerial camera.

Alternatively, you can spend 20 merit points to remove all weapons and upgrade to a two-seat trainer aircraft to train pilots from the Great Xia region.

Of course, what attracted Lin Feng's attention the most was the option for a complete upgrade that radiated golden light.

[Upgraded to - BF-109 F-4 fighter jet]

[Merit Points Required: 200 points/unit]

[Powertrain: Upgraded with a Daimler-Benz DB 601E liquid-cooled inverted V12 engine (1300 hp), with comprehensive aerodynamic optimization]

[Weapon configuration: Equipped with 1 x 20mm MG 151/20 shaft cannon (fired through the propeller hub, 200 rounds of ammunition); 2 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns (inside the nose fairing, 500 rounds of ammunition each)]

"Ha, this is good stuff!"

Lin Feng looked at the data on the panel and immediately smiled.

The BF-109 F-4 is widely recognized by veteran War Thunder players as having the best handling.

After being equipped with a powerful 1300-horsepower engine, its climb rate and high-altitude maneuverability have made a qualitative leap, completely shedding the cumbersome feel of the earlier models.

The most crucial change is in the weapon system.

Although the removal of the two machine guns on the wings may seem to reduce firepower, it is actually an epic upgrade.

By concentrating the machine guns on the centerline of the nose, the problem of the intersection point of wing weapons is eliminated, making aiming extremely simple and straightforward for the pilot—point and shoot.

Moreover, this newly replaced 20mm MG 151/20 shaft cannon has a longer barrel, higher muzzle velocity, and better ballistics compared to the previous short and stubby MG FF cannon.

What's even more bizarre is its ammunition.

Hans's researchers developed a 20mm "thin-shell high-explosive shell" specifically for it.

This type of shell is made of an extremely thin special tungsten steel shell and contains 50% more high explosive than ordinary high explosive shells.

To shoot down those fragile Japanese planes, there's no need for continuous strafing. Just a glancing shot and a single high-explosive shell can tear off the wing of a Japanese aircraft.

Not only that...

Lin Feng continued reading the system instructions, his smile widening.

The F-4 variant can also be fitted with an additional MG131 13mm heavy machine gun pod under each wing, depending on mission requirements.

Although adding pods increases drag and reduces maneuverability, it instantly boosts firepower, making it incredibly easy to dismantle Japanese bombers.

"What a pity, this is the only option for a complete upgrade."

Lin Feng smacked his lips, then sighed, somewhat insatiably:

"I thought it could be upgraded directly to the FW-190 'Butcher Bird' with a radial engine."

Lin Feng estimated that FW-190, as well as other classic late-WWII fighters from major powers, such as the P-47 "Big Milk Bottle" of the White Eagle, the Spitfire of John Bull, and the Yak-1 of the Soviet Union, would probably have to wait until the system privileges are upgraded to Level V before they can be unlocked.

Fortunately, after glancing at the system interface, I saw that the progress bar for the merit points required for the upgrade was already more than halfway complete.

When the Battle of Pengcheng begins in March and hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers pour in, killing more Japanese soldiers will quickly accumulate enough experience to level up.

As for the BF-109, it seems it can only obediently follow the classic evolutionary path of the EFGK in history and upgrade step by step.

Afterwards, Lin Feng strolled over to another hangar and looked at the Ju-87B Stuka dive bomber parked there.

As expected, Stuka currently only has two upgrade paths.

Alternatively, it could be upgraded to the Ju-87D variant, boasting a terrifying payload capacity of 1600 kg.

Alternatively, it could be upgraded to the Ju-87G "Cannonbird," equipped with two 37mm anti-tank cannons mounted under the wings, specifically designed to serve as an aerial tank opener.

As for twin-engine tactical bombers capable of high-altitude, long-range strategic bombing, such as the He-111 or B-25, it seems we'll have to wait until Tier V to unlock them.

"However..."

Lin Feng stroked his chin, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes:

"Since the BF-109 and Stuka are limited by their range, they cannot fly to Shanghai or Beiping to bomb the Japanese's core airfields for the time being."

"Then I could just blow up something else nearby."

The map of the Su-Lu war zone appeared in Lin Feng's mind.

The Japanese 5th Division and Marine Corps recently occupied Qingcheng Port, a famous deep-water port in Shandong Province.

As an important logistical supply base for the Japanese in the north, Qingcheng Port must be home to many Japanese transport ships and warships now.

"Perfect."

Lin Feng slapped his thigh and set the next tactical objective:

"First, send a reconnaissance plane to take some photos over Qingcheng Port to get a feel for the situation."

Then, let the Stuka pilots practice on the Japanese warships, gain some combat experience, and incidentally earn me some more merit points.