Iron Cross

"Finally, let me talk about the core of this aviation armament reorganization - engine development, which is the most concerned issue of the head of state at the moment." After the allocation of specific models and orders, Speer said with a serious expression, "From the recent technical exchanges with Japan and the imitation and reference of British and American engines, we have many misunderstandings in the field of engine development and many deficiencies in the field of basic materials science. Take the DB601 series engine of Mercedes-Benz as an example. Japan copied a DB601Aa (Germany's starting power is 1175HP) intact on the basis of our technical authorization. When they first tested the machine, the power was only 770 horsepower, but Japanese experts quickly increased it to 1200 horsepower by changing the production process and materials (the original DB601 was cast with aluminum-magnesium alloy, and Japan added nickel, manganese, molybdenum and other materials). The horsepower of the Atsuta engine provided by Aichi this time is only 50 horsepower different from ours, and yesterday The drawings and materials they submitted showed that they had developed to 1,500 horsepower - and we had given up DB601 to develop the subsequent 603 series - look, Japan's technical capabilities can also develop DB601 to 1,500 horsepower, but what about us? "

The technical representative of Mercedes-Benz looked very unhappy. Minister Speer's words were harsh but did not exaggerate the facts. Although the performance of the engine developed by Japan was not stable enough and the trouble-free time was short, the indicators were higher than those of Germany itself. Mercedes-Benz designed the power of the DB601 descendants to be only 1,475 horsepower, but the trouble-free matter should be viewed in two ways: many aircraft were written off long before the engine life was exhausted. Japan was still relatively cherishing aircraft, and the Russians were more simple and crude. The trouble-free life of aircraft engines basically did not exceed 200 hours, and 80% of Soviet pilots were shot down before flying 200 hours.

"BMW's situation is not much better. Among the world's mainstream radial 14-cylinder air-cooled engines, your weight is the heaviest at the same power level, and your power level is the lowest at the same weight level. Even Japanese models are better than yours."

"This..." BMW dare not refute when it comes to the strong R2800 and R2W801 in the United States, but they are not convinced that the Japanese models are better than theirs. Wasn't the "protection" engine drawings not good last time?

Speer seemed to see his dissatisfaction and threw a brief technical parameter over: "The Rong engine (lightweight high-power engine) is an example. The technical indicators published on the drawings of the 'Mars' engine from Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan that I just received yesterday are even more so. The Japanese originally planned to use it in the modification of the Tianshan attack aircraft. The maximum power of this engine is about 1,800 horsepower, the same as the BMW801D, but it weighs nearly 200 kilograms lighter than yours."

"What? This is impossible." He took it unconvinced and sweated after taking a look. In the end, he refused to let go and said as if he had found a treasure, "Our company has taken over this engine project."

Dr. Tan Ke also came over to observe carefully. After seeing it, he was very excited. If the news is true, this lightweight air-cooled engine can be easily installed on the Fw-190A series, which will greatly improve the performance of the aircraft-his biggest headache now is the engine problem.

"I have looked for the reasons. I don't think the Empire's technology is backward, but there must be problems in the Empire's materials research. We must make up for this lesson as soon as possible." Hoffman said to everyone sincerely, "That's why I have tried my best to enrich various resources and technologies. I hope you can broaden your thinking and carefully digest and study the achievements of Japanese experts in materials science, aerodynamics, and engines. At the same time, learn from the achievements of the US R2800 and the British Merlin engine, and use improved processes and materials to produce new engines. Don't be afraid of lack of resources. Minister Speer can get you any rare metals you want, but you must produce the best products and tap the maximum potential of existing models." Hoffman has a deep understanding of this. Historically, Germany did not equip turbocharged engines during World War II. It was not that German technology could not produce them. On the contrary, Germany had such forward-looking research, but because of the weak foundation in materials science and the lack of rare metal resources, especially the large gap in high-temperature alloys, the turbocharger could only stay in the laboratory; and although Germany's jet engine level is world-leading, due to metal shortages, the engine's trouble-free life is very short. If this weakness can be improved, Germany's aviation strength will be stronger than in history, and only with the improvement of aviation strength can Germany's final victory be guaranteed - regardless of air superiority, the German ground forces are not afraid of any enemy at all, and can still gain a large-scale upper hand against British and American forces on the Western Front.

"The aviation experts of the Armament Department believe that the gap between our liquid-cooled engines and the world's advanced level is not large, but the gap between air-cooled engines is relatively large. This is related to the fact that we pay more attention to liquid-cooled engines and there is only one air-cooled engine company. Therefore, special attention must be paid to the air-cooled series." Before the war, Germany had two companies that mainly produced air-cooled engines, BMW and Bramo, but later BMW acquired Bramo, resulting in only one company with high-power air-cooled aircraft engines.

"In view of the current actual situation, the Ministry of Armament has decided to make the following adjustments." Speer scanned the venue majestically for a week. "The BMW-Bramo-Italy Fiat Joint Aviation Engine Design Bureau was established and directly under the control of the Ministry of Armament. Among them, the BMW group focused on Pay attention to the subsequent development of BMW801 and the mastery of R2800 technology, while Bramo-Fiat will conduct joint development - their leading direction is the restoration and imitation of air-cooled engines provided by Japan. Italian experts will share their technical experience, and Japanese engine experts will also will participate in these projects; at another level, we will send experts to Japan to help them improve liquid cooling and jet engine technology and achieve technology exchange."

The last one is obviously a necessary condition. If there is no reciprocal technology exchange and exchange, Japan will not foolishly bring out its latest and best aviation technology. However, there is still room for exchanges between Japan and Germany in the field of aviation. In the field of tanks and artillery, Germany is absolutely crushing it. Japan will eventually have to pay for it all with precious metals or raw materials, and Germany will still be in a dominant and advantageous position.

"The adjustment of interests, patent authorization and fund allocation among the allies are all under the control of the Ministry of Arms. Generally speaking, the companies will not suffer losses. The Ministry of Arms has also prepared funds of 300-500 million Reichsmarks for joint development to pay for each company. The development cost can be regarded as the initial compensation for the adjustment of interests. "Hoffman concluded, "Everyone must take a long-term view. After the war is won, the entire Europe will be in our hands, and we will decide how to authorize and use it. Collecting money is not a problem, but if we lose, all our achievements, talents, equipment and factories will become the spoils of the enemy - this is a very terrible thing and must not happen to all design bureaus and manufacturers. We must obey the unified dispatch and arrangement of the Ministry of Armament, open up technical barriers to each other, and do not allow resistance and sabotage regardless of the overall situation - that is treason!”

The word "treason" blew by like a cold wind. Everyone's heart trembled and they shrank their necks subconsciously - the head of state was not kidding. The masterminds of the last treasonous group included a bunch of marshals and generals. The hanging had just been carried out.

"The focus in 1943 is: all aero-engine companies increase production as much as possible. In addition to our own production needs, Japan, Italy and other countries will also have a large-scale increase in demand for our engines. At the same time, major aircraft manufacturers must The production locations in Italy, the cooperation list and the docking companies will be arranged by the Ministry of Armament. We will first realize the unification of air force equipment in Italy. Some unimportant and low-demand accessories should be arranged as much as possible to other companies in the country and France and France. Produced by companies in Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries," Speer finally told them, "After rectification and adjustment, the Imperial tank production capacity has been doubled, and is expected to triple next year. In addition, Italy's output is expected to reach 4 times or more, it is expected to reach 35,000 units per year. I hope that aircraft manufacturing will also have such room for improvement. The initial production target in the first half of next year is 2,500 units per month, and the annual requirement is to exceed 40,000 units, plus 1 in the direction of Italy. More than 10,000 aircraft, with a production of at least 50,000 aircraft per year.”

Looking at the people who were stunned by this number, Hoffman told them: "Don't think that 50,000 aircraft is a lot. The United States alone can produce more than 60,000 aircraft next year, plus the production of the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, theirs The number may be twice as high as ours - if it weren't for the heroics of our air force, we would have been overwhelmed by American aircraft by now."

Representatives of each company stood up one by one and expressed their firm support for the adjustment and reform of the Ministry of Armament and their firm cooperation with Speer's decision to invest in production in Italy. The atmosphere was very lively - 50,000 aircraft, I have never dreamed of this. Many, Mercedes-Benz and Yumo were originally worried about how to sell engines, but now they have to worry about how to produce engines to meet demand.

After the meeting, Speer quietly asked Hoffman: "Führer, are you really prepared to produce so many aircraft, especially fighter jets?"

"Of course, you haven't seen the horror of British and American strategic bombing. I must have a sufficient number of aircraft to cope with it all. The cost of manufacturing a 4-engine heavy bomber is about 20 Bf-109s and 7-8 Fws. -190, Britain and the United States may be 2-3 times stronger than us, but do you think their national strength is 7-8 times stronger than ours?”

"Of course this is impossible..." Speer thought to himself, if this is the case, then just stop fighting and surrender as soon as possible is the way out.