I Became a Tycoon During World War I: Saving France from the Start

Chapter 626 626: Torpedo Bomber

Charles had dinner on the plane, consisting of some cake slices and a jar of fruit jam given to him by Wells before departure—quite a luxury for Charles, who was accustomed to dry bread.

However, eating in the open cockpit of the Avro wasn't easy. Charles had to huddle within the narrow fuselage, furtively shoving food into his mouth like a thief. He didn't even dare open the fruit jam, fearing a single jolt of the aircraft would splash him all over.

After nightfall, the formation, including four escorting Camel fighters, smoothly landed in Paris. They touched down not at the flying club's airfield but at the aircraft manufacturing factory.

Eric, who had received the news in advance, arrived with a group to welcome Charles. He joyfully hurried toward the landing aircraft with brisk steps and an expression full of anticipation.

However, when he saw Charles stepping down from the plane, Eric paused involuntarily. The young man's entire demeanor had changed—not merely due to the general's uniform, but rather the confidence radiating from his upright posture and composed eyes, as if he now observed everyone from a higher vantage point.

"What's wrong, Uncle Eric?" Charles approached and patted Eric's shoulder lightly. "Can't recognize me?"

"Yes, General." Eric appeared somewhat awkward. "You... you seem like a different person."

"People always change," Charles replied with an inward sigh.

He understood Eric's sense of unfamiliarity—this maturity had been forged on battlefields and in political struggles. Even Charles himself recognized the shift in his own mindset.

Some of the earlier "schemes" had resulted in soldiers' and officers' deaths, notably the coup orchestrated against Bleu. Previously, Charles would never have chosen these "cruel" methods.

But now, he employed them without the slightest guilt. The reason was simple: Charles had seen through the world. He understood that survival required ruthlessness, or one would become a victim at the mercy of others.

Eric led Charles into the office, and Charles immediately sat before the fireplace, warming himself. After hours of flying, he was nearly frozen.

Looking up, Charles was astonished to see Eric walking to the bookshelf, removing a few books from one shelf, and retrieving a hidden bottle of wine along with two glasses.

"Would you like a drink?" Eric smiled, holding up the bottle. "Margaux from Bordeaux."

"Sure," Charles answered, then asked curiously, "I thought you quit drinking."

Eric chuckled as he placed the glasses on a nearby table, pouring the wine confidently. "It's my secret."

Charles smiled knowingly. Clearly, Eric had made considerable efforts to conceal his drinking habit. Perhaps Mrs. Eric was aware but chose to ignore it, provided Eric maintained moderation.

"The aircraft factory's business is doing very well," Eric sat opposite Charles, raising his glass respectfully, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude. "We've reached the industry's peak, General. People from all over the world come to buy our aircraft. I never dreamed the factory would develop to such a scale."

Charles responded with a noncommittal hum.

He wasn't surprised. Domestically, no other aircraft factory could compare. Internationally, even Britain—the leading power—now purchased from them. There was no question they stood at the industry's pinnacle.

(Note: At this time, the world's foremost industrial power was the United States, but due to America's non-involvement in the war, their military industry and technology lagged behind Europe, leaving them large but not particularly strong.)

Yet, Charles wasn't interested in business profits. He said directly, "I didn't come here for business, Uncle Eric."

He didn't expect profits from the factory. After deducting research and development costs, its earnings were minimal. Profitability would only occur after intense aerial battles against Germany increased aircraft losses.

Yet it was indispensable, as aircraft were crucial strategic equipment—its value wasn't measured by money.

Eric wasn't surprised and chuckled. "New battlefield requirements?"

Charles looked at Eric, slightly surprised.

Eric lifted his chin confidently. "Come on, General. It's not difficult to guess. The engines have reached 225 horsepower. Everyone, especially those in R&D, is eager to see what new aircraft you'll introduce."

Charles understood; the advancement in engine power had triggered expectations for a new aircraft type.

"I might disappoint you," Charles smiled. "Currently, our fighters still outperform the enemy. A closed cockpit could further increase speed, so there's no urgent need for a new aircraft model."

Pausing briefly, Charles added, "However, I believe the R&D department should become more specialized."

"Indeed," Eric agreed wholeheartedly. "I've been thinking similarly. They're upgrading engines and designing aircraft simultaneously; the two tasks should be separated."

Initially, aircraft development required versatile individuals who understood many aspects. But as technology matured and equipment advanced, specialization was essential for further progress.

Charles added another point. "We should also establish a Torpedo Bomber Development Division."

This was Charles' main objective for visiting the aircraft factory.

"Torpedo bombers?" Eric looked startled. "A new aircraft type?"

Charles had just indicated no new aircraft model was needed.

"No, not entirely new," Charles clarified concisely. "We'll modify the Caproni bomber, equipping it with a 200-horsepower engine to carry torpedoes."

Historically, Italy had adapted a Caproni bomber with a 150-horsepower engine to carry an 800-kilogram torpedo, totaling 450 horsepower with three engines. The arrangement was barely adequate; the aircraft was slow and required removing all machine guns and extraneous equipment.

Now, Charles was upgrading each engine to 200 horsepower, totaling 600 horsepower, effortlessly supporting a heavy torpedo.

Eric took some time to process this information, finally asking uncertainly, "General, you mean using bombers to carry torpedoes... to attack warships?"

He had always thought bombers were solely for land combat, never imagining naval operations targeting warships.

Charles found Eric's astonishment puzzling—wasn't using aircraft in naval warfare normal?

Yet upon reflection, he realized that even this concept was ahead of its time. In this era, naval battles rarely involved aircraft, and even seaplanes served only reconnaissance roles; their machine guns were useless against heavily armored warships, thus stalling naval aviation development.

(Indeed, during World War I, many doubted aircraft's effectiveness even in land combat.)

(End of Chapter 626)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1