May 1, 1941 at noon.

The USS Assault aircraft carrier arrived at the Corpus Christi Naval Aviation Base, and various combat bombers were also in place, stationed at several airports at the base.

In the following days, journalists and pilot representatives from various countries arrived at the base one after another. The reporters interviewed everywhere. The pilots were arranged to test fighter jets at various airports according to the previous agreement and rehearse the military parade formation. For a moment, the base was unprecedentedly lively.

The reason why the United States invited countries around the world to participate in this ribbon-cutting of the Corpus Christi Naval Aviation Base is to show the world their strength.

After the outbreak of World War II, Britain and France had always hoped that the United States would participate in the war, but the American people were unwilling to be involved in the war, so the United States had always been watching the wall. This time, the invitation to the whole world was to tell some countries that the United States had strong muscles.

As long as a reporter asked for an interview, Zhongsheng Shengxiao immediately agreed that the purpose of their trip was to suppress Chinese pilots and promote the strength of the Imperial Air Force to the world. So facing the camera, they showed their flight strength in the air and made various wonderful maneuvering actions, becoming the subject of interviews by reporters.

Compared with the popularity of the three Japanese pilots, there are almost few reporters who do not show off their skills.

What the reporter wants is excitement. Your fighter plane flies in a proper manner, who can watch it?

What's more, Zhou Zhihan is a HNA rookie who is flying a trainer plane on a simulated aircraft carrier and no one is watching it.

Even if there are occasional interviews with several reporters, they always ask questions such as "Your opponent is very strong, what do you think?" and "If you lose, will you be blamed after you go back?"

These days, Nishize Hiroyi has been watching Zhou Zhihan's every move.

Two days ago, Dick Best taught Zhou Zhihan to fly the trainer plane. He first practiced how to accurately hook the blocking cable when landing on the airport runway. On the third day, he drove the trainer plane to practice taking off on the "never sinking aircraft carrier". He was still on the runway when landing. During this period, he failed twice during the ship. Fortunately, Dick Best switched to drive and turned danger into safety.

Even so, Dick Best still praised Zhou Zhihan's skills and comprehension ability. It was already super excellent to be able to do this in just three days.

When he returned to the camp the evening of the fourth day, Zhongsu Shengxiao asked: "Xizejun, how do you think Zhou Zhihan is studying?"

"To be honest, Zhou Zhihan has a strong ability. He can take off on the ship in just four days, but he only has two days left. It is impossible for the Land Aviation pilot to complete the safe landing of the carrier-based aircraft in two days. This time, I will win him."

"good!"

Zhongsheng Sheng Xiao had a bright face and his eyes, "You beat Zhou Zhihan, Kato and I can win at least one game, and we can put the Chinese pilot under our feet in front of the world."

I heard that the main general of China will definitely lose, Kato's face was full of confidence in winning: "General! I think we can win all three competitions. Zhang Mufei is not your opponent, and I am 70% sure to beat Gong Yeti."

May 4.

Just before lunch, cheers came from the "never sinking aircraft carrier" around. Chinese pilot Zhou Zhihan flew the trainer plane and landed successfully on a simulated aircraft carrier.

God.

Six days.

In just six days, Zhou Zhihan set a historical record. A pilot of the Army Aviation completed the process of taking off from a simulated aircraft carrier and landing safely within six days.

Immediately, Zhou Zhihan attracted the attention of journalists all over the world.

After having lunch, Zhou Zhihan drove the f4f wildcat alone and landed successfully on the simulated aircraft carrier.

At this time, almost all reporters on the base gathered here. Before that, as a Chinese pilot, almost all reporters were disliked.

After the training, he returned to the camp in the evening. Zhong Yu Shengxiao's face appeared worried. Zhou Zhihan's successful take-off and landing made him feel extremely stressed.

In this regard, Nishizawa Hiroichi said that there is no pressure, the simulated aircraft carrier is stationary, and there will be subtle changes when the aircraft carrier on the sea surface is docked. The difference between the two is a world of difference. There is still a long way to go between enlightenment and mastery.

In order to relieve Nakasa Mori Takashi and Kato, Hiroyo Nishizawa said: "I was really worried before that Zhou Zhihan could not complete the take-off and landing on the simulated aircraft carrier, so that he would give up. Now he can take-off and landing on the simulated aircraft carrier. Tomorrow, the real aircraft carrier "Striker" will arrive at the base. If he cannot land in the eyes of the crowd, the whole world will laugh at China. Wouldn't it be better?"

Before dusk, the USS Assault aircraft carrier arrived at Corpus Christi Naval Aviation Base.

Then, the latest American fighter p47 lightning has arrived and will be tested on time on May 6. (1)

That night, the last two pilots and journalists from the invited countries arrived at the base, and they were old enemies - Germany and Britain.

These two countries are still fighting fiercely at this time, but the main battlefield has been moved from over London to North Africa.

8 a.m. on May 5, 1941.

The ribbon-cutting test flight ceremony at Corpus Christi Naval Aviation Base began on time.

Before the ceremony began, the base military gave today's schedule for the friendly confrontation between Chinese and Japanese pilots.

The first group of confrontations:

China's Gong Yeti faced Japanese Kato, and both sides drove p40b/c/tomahawk fighter jets.

The second set of confrontations:

China's Zhang Mufei faced Japan's China-Shengxiao, and the fighter jets on both sides were P51 Mustangs.

The third group of confrontations:

China's Zhou Zhihan faces Japanese Nishizawa Hiroyo, and both sides will take off and land from the aircraft carrier in the F4F wildcat.

Within the specified time, whoever uses the shortest time, the most difficult stunt movements, and the most targets to hit is the victory. Of course, the victory in air battles mainly depends on shooting skills, and the final victory is still based on the number of targets.

The competition stipulates that when the pilots of both sides take off, all parties can fly the plane to conduct on-site command and exchange with radio.

After receiving the notice, the pilots on both sides conducted the final training.

Amid the military music of the guard of honor, the three giants of the United States, the sea, land and air, cut the ribbons for the base's test fly.

After a brief speech, the squad of students entered the venue and received a military parade. Then various performances took turns to take place. Dick Best led the six reconnaissance teams to perform air performances, and then various fighter bombers flew into the sky one by one to do aerobatics.

When the host announced that the pilots of both China and Japan would start a friendly match that would add joy to the ribbon-cutting test flight ceremony, the entire base was thrilled.

First, the well-dressed Gong Yeti and Kato appeared, and the host took out a coin, threw it up, and guessed it.

Kato flew first.

Zhou Zhihan, Gong Yeti, and Zhang Mufei exchanged their eyes and nodded together. This was a good start and let the Japanese fly first. Let us wait and see.

Zhongsa Shengxiao first took off from the airport in a wild horse and directed on the air.

Then, Kato drove the p40b/c/tomahawk slowly into the runway. The ground crew removed the mattresses from the three wheels of the fighter plane, and the commander made a pose that could take off.

Kato tied a samurai belt with the words "Must Win" on his head, started the fighter, all instruments were normal, then nudged the throttle valve, released the brakes, and p40b/c/tomahawk took off.

——
Chapter completed!