Traveling Back to the 1960s: The Entire Internet Teaches Me How to Build Missiles

Since the Third Division began its mission, this was the first time Zhou Yunxiao had ever seen the Hongqi-1 missile up close like this.

To be precise, it is a copy of the Soviet SAM-2 missile.

Because the mission of "shooting down the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft" had to be completed as soon as possible, most of its frame was still made of Soviet-style parts, and only some of the core components that had been removed by the Big Brother were replaced by domestic military parts.

This is what is known as the jigsaw puzzle-style Red Chess No. 1 Type A.

In any case, at least after the Suriname broke the agreement and withdrew, the Dongfeng Base was able to rely on its own strength to patch up and make use of these training missiles that should have been abandoned!

Today, a crucial live-fire test will be conducted. The results will determine what aiming method Red Pawn One will choose to lock onto and detonate enemy aircraft.

Zhou Yunxiao, Engineer Li, and Technician Shen stood not far away, watching silently.

Dr. Xu Haifeng, the only one without a stance, volunteered to act as the referee.

Soon, the three missile transport vehicles retreated to the front of the position, and the missiles were lifted up by cranes and slowly placed flat on the launch pad.

The comrades from the Third Division Launch Team carried the inspection form and methodically tightened the fixing device, then connected the cable.

After confirming that the power supply, control, and fuse were all in good working order, the messenger gave a hand signal using flags!

Instructor Tian stepped forward with a smile: "Red Chess No. 1 is ready. Let's not stand here in the wind, let's go into the control room?"

Zhou Yunxiao nodded, and Li Gong, Shen Weidong, and others, each led their team members into the heavily fortified launch control room.

The room was a bit crowded for a moment, but the three groups still found their own spots and stood in front of a window, observing with binoculars.

Li Baoqiang said somewhat nervously, "Our plan should work, right? I'm so nervous!"

The two college students exchanged a glance, nodded, and said, "There's definitely no problem. Engineer Zhou has led us through several rounds of verification. It will definitely succeed."

Xiao Su clenched her fist firmly, "No matter what, everyone is contributing to the development of surface-to-air missiles. Even if the plan turns out to be wrong, it has still eliminated a wrong direction for the Red Chess No. 1 missile, hasn't it?"

Zhou Yunxiao stood to the side, calm and composed, showing no sign of urgency whatsoever.

To be honest, although his improved aiming scheme for Red Chess No. 1 could not be replicated on the other side of the live broadcast room using modern industrial systems, Professor Hou conducted multiple CFD simulations using digital twin and 3D digital simulation technologies to confirm that it was working correctly.

Since modern computer simulations of this missile have successfully conducted test launches, it is expected that its performance in 1960 will not be bad either, and it should pass the tests.

At that moment, a black landline phone in the launch control room rang. Instructor Tian answered immediately, grunted a few times, and then issued the order:

"Command center is operating normally. The three test missiles are ready to launch. Continue to execute the plan according to schedule. The three target drones will take off in sequence and pass over the test range in an orderly manner according to the command center's orders!"

As Tian Fulin hung up the phone, Zhou Yunxiao picked up his binoculars again and noticed several heads peeking out from the bunkers near the firing range.

Several ground crew members set up a high-speed camera for filming.

Against a clear blue horizon, the sky was pristine and the sun shone brightly, with hardly a cloud in sight—a rare treat for the Gobi Desert.

The entire No. 17 firing range fell silent in an instant, so quiet that not a sound could be heard.

The only sounds were the rapid, tense, or excited breathing of the people in the control room, and the rustling of cicadas by the river.

Gradually, another, deeper rumble grew louder and quickly filled everyone's eardrums, eventually becoming exceptionally clear.

They were three Soviet-made Tu-2 bombers that looked like eagles!

The twin-engine, air-cooled piston engines emitted a rhythmic mechanical sound in the sky, with red stripes painted on the sides bearing the words "Unit 0029, Test Target Drone No. XX".

These old, secondhand bombers were traded to Sultan at "brand new" prices, but were replaced by H-5 bombers within a few years and became "old hags" in the warehouse.

The engineers in the East turned these Tu-2 bombers into valuable assets, converting them into target drones for testing the power of surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.

Of course, the intention was not to actually shoot down these planes with missiles. Even "old cows" were valuable resources for Japan in the 60s. Instead, they were to be used to drag targets.

A winch was specially installed at the tail of the target drone, towing an 800-meter-long steel cable.

At the other end of the steel cable was a target made of canvas and sheet metal, which looked like the nose of an aircraft.

No matter which direction the ground radar shines from, this target can strongly reflect electromagnetic waves back.

This was an early missile target.

The first target drone, No. 01, is hovering over the target range, communicating about suitable routes.

The target drone had to tow an 800-meter-long metal target and withstand the shockwave of a surface-to-air missile, which was a great test of its flight skills.

Zhou Yunxiao knew that Fang's squadron of Jincheng Air Force was among those three planes.

With the route communication completed, the three target drones determined the order in which they would pass through the target range and conducted a test flight to ensure they could be detected by ground radar.

Then, Instructor Tian gave the order:

"Prepare for missile tracking and interception tests!"

The people in the launch control room perked up and rushed to the windows.

On the launch pad of the test range, three Red Chess No. 1 missiles were poised to launch, gleaming with a cold, sharp edge under the blazing sun.

The first Tu-2 bomber left the firing range and flew towards Qingshantou, not far away.

After disappearing for a moment, a muffled rumble rolled back from the horizon.

The propeller blades hummed and slapped the air, and the piston engine made a low, clattering noise. After boosting its speed, it swooped straight down!

The Gobi Desert was vast and open, with no cover whatsoever. Even the leaves on the trees had been eaten by the starving soldiers. At that moment, the bombers roared down, emitting a sharp and long whistling sound.

Those in the control room who had been on the battlefield, especially Instructor Tian, ​​couldn't help but feel a little dazed, as if they had returned to the days when they were in the hail of bullets at Chosin Reservoir.

Zhou Yunxiao felt a chill run down his spine; the oppressive aura emanating from the bomber was simply too overwhelming.

Soon, the operator in charge of the fire control radar spotted two bright spots not far apart on the small screen in front of the main control console. He quickly moved his hands and locked onto the bright spot further back.

"Report: Radar has acquired the towed target!"

"Aim at the enemy aircraft and intercept it!"

"Three, two, one—ignition!"

boom--

The base of the first launcher instantly erupted with a dazzling white flame.

The propellant grain inside the solid rocket booster was violently ignited, releasing a surge of heat. Then, with a thrust of more than 20 tons, the missile was pushed out of the launch rail and soared into the sky.

Thick smoke and sand billowed up from the heatwave around the launch site, and even reached the glass of the control room not far away.

Everyone clenched their fists in excitement, watching the missile hurtle down into the target in the sky with unstoppable force.

As it flew higher and faster, the deafening sonic booms in the air became increasingly prominent, leaving a straight, extended white trail in its wake.

"It's so beautiful! Although the scale isn't as grand as the Dongfeng No. 1, its posture is very elegant!"

"That little thing flies so fast! It's gone so far in the blink of an eye..."

"We have to be fast! Our planes can't catch up with the U-2, but with missiles... hehe, we'll definitely make those treacherous wolves of imperialism bury themselves here!"