Ch.157The White Project (белое Проект)

# *

In the Russian United States Air Force, a secret project was underway.

It was commissioned in secret by Air Force Commander-in-Chief Alexander Mikhailovich Romanov, who had personally visited the Sikorsky Airfield.

The plan was for an aerial aircraft carrier.

Like an aircraft carrier at sea, but flying in the air.

The goal was to create a large aircraft that could launch multiple smaller planes, turning it into an aerial carrier.

At first glance, it seemed like an unrealistic plan, but since the Soviet Union in the original timeline had created aerial carriers, there was no reason the Russian United States couldn’t do the same.

“To use an aircraft carrier in the air, wouldn’t we need a very large aircraft?”

Sikorsky’s Ilya Muromets company was collaborating with Alexander Seversky on the development.

However, Seversky’s company was developing new fighter aircraft models, which was quite different from building large aircraft.

“That’s right. I’d like to ask Seversky’s company to build the aircraft that will be carried on the mothership.”

Sikorsky’s company also had Ilyushin working on fighter models, but with so much work to do, they couldn’t manage it immediately.

They needed to prepare for when war broke out. Until then, the plan was to divide the work between aircraft companies.

“For a mothership, it would need to be quite large. Have you created the designs yet?”

Designs. Yes. Calculations were already in progress.

Sikorsky had initially hesitated since it was being built specifically as an aerial carrier, but things changed when they pivoted to a bomber concept.

Build a massive bomber. Then modify that bomber to carry fighters.

They had conceived of both an aerial carrier and a bomber simultaneously.

“Hmm, after running various calculations, I came to one conclusion. A bomber is the answer.”

Sikorsky showed the Air Force Commander the designs for a large bomber.

“Converting a bomber certainly makes sense.”

“That’s what we’ll modify into a carrier.”

The development of a large bomber.

Rather than just using the aerial carrier solely for storing fighter aircraft, it made sense to include bombing capabilities. With this calculation, they shifted toward developing a large bomber that could also carry fighter aircraft.

“But is that really possible?”

“That’s what we’re going to try. This is the bomber we’re currently designing, and we plan to collaborate with Tupolev to convert it into a carrier.”

They had already created bomber designs, so what was the problem?

After all, having established a company in Russia for many years, surely they hadn’t just been focusing on flying wing aircraft all this time.

Following the Ilya Muromets, they had continued to focus on bomber development, and this was the result.

The aerial aircraft carrier would just be a slight modification of a large bomber.

Since the conversion would be a later issue, for now, they planned to work with Tupolev, which along with Ilya Muromets was responsible for Russia’s bomber production, to create a proper aerial carrier.

“Then our Seversky company should build fighters suitable for this carrier.”

“That’s not strictly necessary. We can adapt the carrier based on the size of existing fighters.”

Alexander Seversky, who was examining the designs with Air Force Commander Alexander, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

They were already developing new fighters.

If they didn’t need to be completely carrier-specific, there wouldn’t be much difficulty.

“Of course we can build them. We’ll do it.”

Project Beloye (белое Проект)

This aerial carrier project, known as the Zveno Project in the original timeline, was now called Project Beloye (White) and was being developed under Igor Sikorsky’s leadership.

Having already developed the Ilya Muromets, they had the experience to make it work.

Tupolev had developed the TB-1 (Heavy Bomber-1) in 1925, just as in the original timeline when it was part of the first series of the Zveno Project.

Under Project Beloye, Ilya Muromets and Tupolev collaborated to develop a new large bomber.

Of course, it differed somewhat from the Soviet version. At the very least, the Russian United States had more resources than the Soviet Union of World War II due to various reforms, so there was definitely potential.

What they developed was the TB-3 bomber from the original timeline.

Adding the first letter ‘S’ from Sikorsky’s name, it was born as the STB-1.

Now they just needed to modify the wings to carry smaller aircraft.

“Wow, the bomber has been developed. It’s quite large and really looks like it could serve as an aerial carrier.”

Vladimir Sergeyevich Vakhmistrov, an aircraft engineer who participated in the aerial carrier bomber development, exclaimed in admiration.

In the original timeline, he had been in charge of the Zveno Project. In this world, he had been working as an aircraft engineer at Ilya Muromets before Sikorsky put him in charge of Project Beloye to assist with development.

A massive bomber.

Yes. This was a bomber that continued the legacy of the Ilya Muromets.

Additionally, it could be modified to become an aerial carrier.

“If we use it well, we can gain air superiority. Honestly, I don’t think we’d be at a disadvantage even without an aerial carrier.”

If there was potential.

“Looking at Germany’s current state, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be as powerful as they were during the German Empire.”

Looking at Germany now, that was certainly true.

Communist Germany. All the Junkers, Germany’s central power, had fled to Austria or East Prussia, weakening the country considerably.

Yet the Tsar remained wary of Germany and pushed for more aircraft development.

Assuming the Tsar’s prophecies continued to come true, did that mean Germany would become such a fearsome entity?

That’s why they needed to do something.

If Germany started a war, they would try to turn Russia red again.

He didn’t want to see Russia turn red again in this world where the White Army, which had fled to America in the original timeline due to revolution, had returned victorious.

So he worked even harder on this project, gathering aircraft engineers.

“Do you think this bomber will protect Russia’s skies?”

“Since it hasn’t been deployed in actual operations yet, it’s hard to say. But at the very least, compared to regular fighter squadrons, our small aircraft will have a wider operational range, which is an advantage, isn’t it?”

In the original timeline, the Zveno had successfully bombed the King Carol I Bridge in Romania, which had oil pipeline facilities, in two separate attacks. It had also attacked Romanian ground forces without losing any aircraft, so this wasn’t impossible.

Though not yet complete, it was now sufficient.

“When do you plan to inform His Majesty?”

“I should tell him soon.”

“Indeed, we can’t delay it any longer.”

Although they had been preparing it as a surprise for the Tsar, they couldn’t keep it hidden forever.

“Since we’ve put the flying wing development on hold, we should make sure this succeeds first.”

While the flying wing wasn’t something they could work on right away, they could accomplish the aerial carrier.

“That’s right. It will be sufficient.”

“We should inform the Air Force Commander as well.”

With the successful development of the aerial carrier, Project Beloye (белое Проект) was finally revealed to the Kremlin Palace.

# *

Upon arriving at Sikorsky Airfield, I finally saw the aerial carrier.

Though it currently only had model aircraft attached since the fighters were still in development, they said they would build it to accommodate the new fighters being created.

From the outside, it looked similar to photos of the Zveno Project bomber from the original timeline.

It was literally an aircraft carrier in the sky.

I heard they modified the TB series bomber to create this. Originally, the TB series was built by the Tupolev Design Bureau, but since Sikorsky designed this from the beginning as an aerial carrier, it had a somewhat unique shape.

As the propellers began to spin, it started to rise into the sky.

This is truly impressive.

Seeing it flying high in the sky, I felt I was witnessing a historic moment.

Whoooosh

Amazing. When did they build this?

Though it only had models attached now, I felt I would see the perfect version later.

The Rating Emperor was truly pleased. Honestly, I hadn’t expected this as much as the flying wing.

I didn’t think I’d see this before the flying wing.

“Wow, I can’t believe you actually built this. Weren’t you researching flying wings?”

I thought they were working on flying wings or helicopters.

Did they succeed with this instead?

This is like a surprise, isn’t it? Instead of modifying a bomber, they built it directly.

“Yes. Vladimir Sergeyevich, an aircraft engineer, was a great help. Besides, I had the experience of building the Ilya Muromets. There’s still much to improve, but I think it will be completed in a few years. Above all, the Air Force Commander was very supportive of this project.”

I glanced at Alexander Mikhailovich Romanov, who had followed behind me.

Look at that satisfied expression.

Hmm, the Air Force Commander was Alexander Mikhailovich Romanov.

Perhaps being a Romanov himself, he felt he needed to accomplish something.

Well, he hadn’t commanded the White Air Force during the Civil War. There was a separate Air Force Commander during the war.

Later, when the divided air forces needed to be unified under one commander, he was appointed somewhat hastily.

Yes, it seems he’s trying hard in his own way.

“I should award medals to Sergeyevich and the Air Force Commander.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

That’s satisfying enough for me. I’m quite pleased.

They can continue development in the future. By the time war breaks out, the Russian United States will have an overwhelming military.

“If you award medals to both of them, they will work even harder on this Project Beloye.”

“Ahem, I didn’t do this work expecting a medal.”

This Romanov Air Force Commander is already acting high and mighty, pretending he doesn’t care.

Did this guy want a medal too?

Well, he didn’t do anything during the Civil War, and honestly, he was chosen as Air Force Commander because we needed someone suitable from the Great War era.

Yes, if his guilty conscience makes him work hard, that’s fortunate.

“Project Beloye (белое Проект)?”

“That’s the project name for creating that carrier.”

So it changed from the Zveno Project of the original timeline to Project Beloye.

Zveno sounds cooler though.

“Then what about the aircraft that will be attached to the carrier’s wings?”

“I understand that dedicated fighters are being researched by Seversky and the Tupolev Institute. They will likely coordinate to create a true carrier in the fullest sense.”

Perhaps there are connections to the original timeline.

Of course, connections have formed in different ways, but if they do well, they might create something more ultimate than just modifying a bomber—building something specifically designed as a carrier.

No, that’s asking too much.

After all, it’s already been built as both an aerial carrier and a bomber.

The interesting point is that it’s ultimately a successor to the Ilya Muromets.

Yes, that’s true. At this point, I have many questions.

Are they investing heavily in the Air Force now? Can we handle this many aircraft?

“By the way, can we manage the rubber supply?”

The Russian Empire Air Force, now the White Air Force, was highly valued by the White Army even during the Civil War and played a significant role. So the military naturally supports aircraft development and the Air Force. During the Civil War, ace pilots like Alexander Kazakov and Vyacheslav Tkachev emerged.

I awarded them medals too, and they now lead air squadrons as White Air Force ace pilots.

But.

While I decided to invest heavily in the Air Force, whether we can manage the rubber supply is a different matter.

Although Russia has many resources, rubber is a different issue. Even the Soviet Union had to secure rubber supplies in the early stages of World War II.

“We’ve acquired synthetic rubber technology from the IG Farben company that moved to East Prussia, so we’ll be fine.”

The Air Force Commander spoke up to assert his presence.

So IG Farben was that company.

When reading about World War II, I heard it was a company that collaborated with the Nazis. In this world, it seems they moved to East Prussia.

I know it was formed by the merger of six chemical companies. It’s remarkable that happened during the revolution.

“Synthetic rubber. That’s fortunate.”

Suddenly, I found myself falling silent mid-sentence.

Wait, synthetic rubber?

I know that synthetic rubber comes from petroleum. But wasn’t rubber a strategic material? Would Germany just share that technology?

Even the Soviet Union’s best attempt was extracting rubber from dandelions.

“Is something wrong?”

“Did Germany really share such a strategic resource?”

“Yes, and according to the military, they also provided sulfa drugs.”

Of course, they might have given it if the Kaiser asked, but strategic materials are a different matter.

Even for the Kaiser, I couldn’t imagine they would give away rubber after already being so generous. Or perhaps when Communist Germany was born, the company was affected, so East Prussia just handed it over.

Well, East Prussia isn’t in a position to be picky. As they have fewer and fewer allies, it makes sense.

Britain, which they had trusted, is in a terrible state, and Poland is a Russian-aligned country, so they have no one to rely on but us.

No, wait. We’re in the Great Depression now.

Moreover, IG Farben must have been hit by the German Revolution.

With the German Revolution and the Great Depression combo, this is unavoidable. We had to take it.

“We acquired it due to the Great Depression.”

Huh? Isn’t this a huge opportunity?

Taking everything from those who were ruined by the Great Depression. If the United States even has a civil war, wow, this is huge. Russia might just explode in growth.

I’m sure Prince Yusupov will handle this.