Chapter 133 Flight Plan (Part 2)

At present, apart from airships, Theodor Korbel and Ludwig Duerr really can't think of anything else they can do, so they asked Arthur very curiously.

Arthur smiled and said nothing, and did not directly answer the two people's questions. Instead, he handed over some information and motioned for the two to read it by themselves.

After carefully viewing all the information, Theodor Korbel and Ludwig Duer looked at each other, and then asked tentatively: "Your Highness, do you want us to develop steam aircraft?"

Yes, although the well-known inventors of the airplane are the Wright brothers in the United States, many people were already exploring the footsteps of the airplane before the Wright brothers' airplane successfully flew.

The first recorded aircraft builder was Mochajski of Germany. In 1882, he built a steam plane with flat-plate-like wings, but the test flight failed.

From 1886 to 1890, France's Adele also built four steam airplanes, but the test flights were also unsuccessful.

The British Maxim and the American ones also built steam airplanes in 1893 and 1896. Perhaps it was due to poor power or other reasons. In short, the airplanes built by these people failed to fly successfully. , which also made them regret missing the honor of being the first to invent an airplane.

Until December 1903, the Wright brothers piloted their invented Flyer One and successfully flew four times at Kitty Hawk Beach on the east coast of the United States. They flew for a total of 97 seconds and a distance of 441 meters. .

Although it was only a short time and distance, it was indeed the first time in human history to actually fly in a powered aircraft.

After the last test flight, Wilbur Wright once said excitedly: "The era of flight has finally come!"

Although compared to airships, the time for aircraft to truly come into play is delayed further.

But it cannot be denied that in terms of development potential, actual role, and the most important safety of flight, airplanes are definitely more suitable aircraft for development than airships.

Arthur had only one purpose in letting Theodor Korbel and Ludwig Duerr view all the previous information on steam airplanes, and that was to let them build airplanes!

The Wright Brothers were able to successfully build airplanes, why not Australia?

From the perspective of ability, Theodor Korbel and Ludwig Duerr are both experts who have made achievements in the field of aviation. Will their ability be lower than that of the Wright brothers? Not necessarily.

Perhaps what they lack is actually the imagination and pursuit of flying into the sky.

Arthur can provide them with this. Arthur has seen all kinds of more advanced aircraft, let alone test subjects for trying to fly.

What Arthur needed was for Theodor Korbel and Ludwig Duerr to use their knowledge of the aviation industry to realize Arthur's certain ideas.

Although it may not be possible to invent the airplane before the Wright brothers, the possibility of catching up later is still very high.

The Wright brothers' airplane invention is also being explored, and even airplane inventions around the world are being explored.

If Australia can successfully overtake in the invention of aircraft, it will play a vital role in Australia's military.

Why did Arthur attach so much importance to the development of aircraft? Because before the birth of more powerful weapons, aircraft and air superiority are absolutely as important to a war as the number of troops invested, or even more.

Aircraft pose an unparalleled threat to frontline troops and rear logistics. They can even directly affect the advantages and disadvantages of a war and determine the outcome of a war.

Just imagine, now that the frontline troops and rear logistics lines are all harassed or even cut off by aircraft, can this war still be fought?

It may be necessary to fight, but it will further test the military's morale and trust in its leaders. It is possible to turn defeat into victory when faced with an absolute disadvantage, but this does not mean that everyone can do it.

After receiving Arthur's affirmative reply, the two of them were still a little surprised and asked: "Your Highness, at present, there is no possibility of steam airplanes succeeding. Although it cannot be concluded that steam airplanes cannot fly, it is definitely a need It is something that can only be explored by investing a lot of energy and crazy experiments. And do the functions of steam airplanes and airships overlap? Even if steam airplanes can fly into the sky, they cannot have the huge transportation capacity of airships."

Arthur smiled and shook his head and said: "The functions of airships and airplanes do not conflict, and as far as I know, someone in the United States has already developed an airplane that can fly into the sky, but it is still under experimentation. I hope you can pay attention to it. The research on aircraft is more important to Australia than airships. After the construction of airships has achieved results, your focus should be on the research and development of aircraft. Externally, you are only responsible for the research and development of airships. But in fact, you should pay more attention to the research of aircraft, do you understand?"

Theodor Korbel and Ludwig Duerr looked at each other, suddenly enlightened.

Although Arthur invited them to come to Australia and asked them to imitate an LZ-1, this does not mean that Australia's main research and development direction is airships, but steam aircraft that are somewhat similar to airships.

As for why they are used, maybe it’s because they are experts in the aviation field?

"I understand, Your Highness. After we build a replica of the LZ-1 rigid airship, we will start working on steam aircraft." Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Duerr said with a tacit understanding. .

Although the research goals are different from the airship they originally imagined, they are almost all in the aviation field.

They still understand the concept of aircraft development, and they have also dabbled in aerodynamics.

Anyway, the research funds and salaries that they are more concerned about will not be less, or even increase, so what they study is not important.

What's more, Arthur also promised to hire more experts in Europe to help them. Previous failed steam airplanes were all invented by individuals. With the efforts of a country with a lot of money, is it still afraid that it will not be able to invent a successful product?

As for Arthur's statement that someone in the United States has successfully invented a flying aircraft, Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Duerr did not doubt it.

As the Duke of a country, his words are still very convincing.

Seeing that both Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Duer agreed to the research aircraft plan, Arthur nodded with satisfaction and said: "Australia will establish an airship research center, and you will all be responsible for the research center. People. Your first batch of research funds will arrive soon. I hope you can manufacture replicas of the LZ-1 as quickly as possible, and then invest in the research and development of the aircraft as soon as possible. There is an engine expert in Australia, maybe He can also help you in the process of developing your aircraft. In short, I hope to see results as soon as possible."

Theodor Korbel nodded, looked at his old partner, and then said tentatively: "Your Highness, I hope Australia can provide us with some books on aerodynamics and aviation, as well as experts in this field. I hope to arrive as soon as possible. We will invest in research as quickly as possible and will definitely live up to your expectations.”

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