I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 956: Inverted Gull Wing

The researchers engaged in lively discussion:

"This is an unsolvable problem. We have only two options: either use high-strength materials or lower our requirements."

"Yes, we can lower the diving speed. Although this will reduce accuracy, it’s the only option we have."

"The error might increase twofold to around 60 meters."

Someone else said:

"It seems we don’t have much need for this bomber anymore; our aircraft are sufficient to control the battlefield."

"Indeed, fighter planes seize air superiority, and horizontal bombers destroy targets."

"What horizontal bombers need is simply the issue of the number of bombs."

...

Shire remained silent, unsatisfied with the two options the researchers proposed.

An error margin of 60 meters.

If the bombing target is a bridge, railway, or even a warship in the future, this error margin definitely won’t suffice.

No development of dive bombers?

Shire managed to balance England and the United States, especially the U.S., the world’s largest industrial nation, relying on aerial technological superiority.

Therefore, it must be developed, no matter how difficult or how much funding it requires.

Shire wondered how the Germans achieved it historically.

Did they equip the "Stuka" with expensive titanium alloy? 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Or lowered the accuracy requirement?

Unlikely. Combining all models of the "Stuka," it is said to have produced over 6,000 units and performed quite well, becoming a classic of its era.

So there must be a way; it’s just something he’s forgotten.

Staring at the prototype images on the worktable, Shire finally noticed something slightly off.

"Its front landing gear seems elevated," Shire remarked.

"Yes," Dorne confirmed, pointing to the design diagram for clarification:

"To achieve faster speeds, we increased the length of the propeller."

"But this might cause the propeller to hit the ground during landing."

"To prevent this, we had to lengthen the front landing gear."

(The above image is of the "Camel" fighter plane, equipped with a long and large propeller at its nose, necessitating the elevation of the front landing gear to prevent ground collision during landing.)

Shire pointed at the landing gear and asked, "Then, wouldn’t its length affect the wing’s stress?"

"Of course," Dorne replied confidently.

"During high-speed dives, the drag on the landing gear directly impacts the wings."

"The longer the landing gear, the longer the lever arm, and the greater the impact on the wings."

Then Shire knew the solution.

"Shorten the landing gear," Shire said in a calm yet firm tone.

Dorne was taken aback:

"But we can’t do that, Vice Admiral."

"As we mentioned, once the landing gear is shortened, it increases landing risks."

"The propeller hitting the ground isn’t much better than a wing breaking..."

Shire interrupted Dorne, "What if we shorten the landing gear, and yet the propeller doesn’t hit the ground?"

"That’s impossible," Dorne shrugged. How could there be such an ideal solution?

The other researchers also found it unrealistic and even considered it a fantasy.

Unhurried, Shire picked up a pen and altered the prototype’s wing design on the diagram with a few strokes: "If we change the model to this shape, we can shorten the front landing gear without compromising the propeller."

(The above image depicts a gull-winged aircraft. Due to the inverted gull shape of the wings, the landing gear can be shortened while maintaining the same nose height to prevent ground collision.)

Dorne instantly understood, looking up at Shire in speechless amazement:

"This is brilliant, Vice Admiral."

"You might have completely solved this issue."

"I mean, it not only reduces the strain on the wings by shortening the landing gear but also decreases the stress on the wings during dive exits."

The researchers remained skeptical at first, but when they took a closer look, they were both amazed and delighted:

"My God, what a clever approach."

"Yes, it doesn’t require any changes to the material or lowering of standards and significantly reduces wing stress during dive exits."

"Thank you, Vice Admiral. You’re astounding. This proposal seems feasible, and you’ve solved a major problem for us."

Some even cheered and applauded Shire.

Shire was somewhat perplexed; he merely recalled that the inverted gull-wing design was used to shorten landing gear. How did it "solve the problem"?

Upon further thought, he understood.

If the wings were straight, the sudden increase in force during dive exits could easily break straight wings.

However, if the wings were "V"-shaped, the force direction on the wing roots during dive exits would push up against the fuselage instead of causing a break.

That’s when Shire completely comprehended why during WWII so many planes utilized the inverted gull-wing design.

Previously, he had thought it was merely for aesthetics or smoother flight.

Later, Shire realized, this inverted gull-wing design not only offered such benefits but also enhanced wing rigidity and reduced vibration during dives, almost tailor-made for dive bombers.

(The two images above are of the "Stuka" bomber, which also features an inverted gull-wing design.)

The more Dorne looked at it, the more it made sense to him. Excitedly, he gave Shire a tight hug: "You’re a genius, Vice Admiral. I should really have you work at the research institute. Would you consider it?"

The researchers laughed.

Although Dorne spoke the truth, they all knew it was impossible.

If they kept Shire here today, the military would come and take him away tomorrow.

"Keep up the good work, gentlemen." Shire patted Dorne’s shoulder: "Your mission is challenging, and I mean, it might be heavier than you think."

Dorne cautiously inquired, "For instance..."

"You should be able to figure it out." Shire smiled.

Dorne nodded, with a hint of resignation in his eyes:

"Yes, of course."

"Today it’s the bomber, tomorrow it will be the fighter plane."

"Naturally, all-metal fighters will replace wooden ones, wouldn’t you say, Vice Admiral?"

Shire responded with "Hmm," "Correct, but also not exactly."

"What?" Dorne looked at Shire blankly, unsure what he missed.

Shire provided the answer:

"We might also need a ground attack aircraft, Dorne."

"I mean a dedicated ground-attack plane."

"For strafing infantry with machine guns or attacking tanks with large-caliber cannons."

Dorne gestured in the air, seemingly realizing something, and after a moment, said: "Is it the speed? Is there a conflict in speed?"

Shire nodded.

Simultaneously, he silently praised Dorne, acknowledging that his expertise had risen to another level.

Fighter planes can also strafe infantry with machine guns or attack tanks with cannons.

But fighter planes must be as fast as possible to maintain an advantage in aerial combat.

Whereas ground-attack planes need to maintain low speeds so that pilots have enough reaction time to hit targets.