156: Chapter 156 I know you're shocked, but don't be too shocked yet!

They were crazy! Everyone was crazy! They had been scared crazy by the specifications of the Fifth Master!

Although the Brigade Commander was not a pilot, basic military common sense made him instantly understand the significance of these terrifying figures.

Flying faster than you means I can catch up to you, but you cannot catch up to me!

Flying higher than you means I can hit you, but you cannot hit me!

This can no longer be called superior performance; it is simply complete domination!

The Brigade Commander was shaking with excitement, grabbing Shen Wang's arm violently, his voice trembling: "Mr. Shen! Are... are you telling the truth? Can this... this aircraft... really fly this fast and this high?"

Shen Wang nodded: "Of course!"

With that, everyone instantly erupted!

The Gao Zilong suddenly snapped back to reality, staring intently at the streamlined silver fuselage.

It was a pilot's ultimate desire for extreme speed and absolute air superiority!

"Mr. Shen! Gao Zilong of the Independent Flight Squadron, the Gao Zilong, requests—formal takeoff!!"

"Requesting takeoff!!"

The other seven pilots also puffed out their chests and roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens!

"Good! Approved!"

Looking at the eight pairs of eyes burning with intense flames before him, Shen Wang decisively gave the order.

Beasts that fight in the sky cannot be raised in a greenhouse; true eagles must temper their wings in wind, rain, and obstacles!

Moreover, the current situation in Southeast Shanxi did not allow them to train slowly and step-by-step.

However, approval was one thing, but necessary instruction and risk control were absolutely essential.

Jet aircraft, especially first-generation jet fighters like the Fifth Master, were vastly different in complexity and operational philosophy from the propeller planes the Gao Zilong and the others were familiar with.

"Don't rush to take off just yet." Shen Wang raised his hand to stop the group, who were so excited they were about to rush toward the aircraft. "Follow me, I will teach you some basic operations first."

He led the Gao Zilong and the others to a Fifth Master that had been completely uncovered.

Shen Wang opened the canopy and pointed to the dense array of instruments, buttons, and the control stick and throttle, which were far more complex than those in a propeller plane, and began to explain concisely:

"This is the airspeed indicator, altimeter, vertical speed indicator, compass... they are largely similar to what you've seen before, but the precision and range are different..."

"This is the engine RPM and temperature gauge, the key to the jet engine's operating status..."

"This is the radio; press here to talk..."

"The canopy opens and closes from here, the ejection seat is in this position, and in an emergency, pull this red handle..."

"The basic operations for takeoff and landing are similar in principle to propeller planes, but because the speed is faster and the reaction time is shorter, your movements must be more decisive and precise..."

"The biggest difference lies in aerial maneuvers! Jet aircraft do not have the torque effect of propellers and roll more sensitively, but at high speeds, the stick force becomes heavier. You must perform high-G maneuvers gradually to prevent stalling or structural overload..."

"Remember, your enemies are now likely much slower than you. Use your speed advantage, occupy the altitude, hit and run, do not engage in dogfights!"

Shen Wang's explanation was simple and easy to understand, combined with gestures, clearly conveying the complex operational essentials and air combat concepts of jet aircraft.

He was actually a bit nervous inside; after all, this leap was too great.

However, the scene that followed made Shen Wang truly realize just how astonishing the talent of these carefully selected pilots really was!

Shen Wang only explained it once, at most emphasizing certain key points again, and they had actually remembered it all firmly!

And the question-and-answer session surprised Shen Wang even more.

The questions raised by the Gao Zilong and the others were no longer simple ones like "What does this button do?", but went deep into:

"When diving at maximum speed, if you encounter airflow disturbance, how should you fine-tune the trim?"

"At different altitudes, what is roughly the engine's optimal operating range?"

Questions that touched upon flight performance and tactical application!

"Awesome, truly awesome!"

Shen Wang exclaimed in his heart that they were awesome!

If these people were placed in later generations, they would undoubtedly be top-tier university material!

After a tense and efficient instruction session, the flames in the eyes of the eight pilots burned even more fiercely, each one eager and impatient, wishing to rush into the sky immediately.

Shen Wang, however, remained calm: "No rush! Gao Zilong, you go first to conduct the first solo adaptation flight."

"Everyone else, observe and learn from the ground! Remember, today's goal is not combat, but to get familiar with the aircraft and feel its performance boundaries! Safety first!"

"Yes!" The Gao Zilong suppressed his excitement and saluted solemnly.

He understood Shen Wang's caution; with only eight pilots, they couldn't afford any losses!

The Gao Zilong put on the rudimentary flight gear and climbed into the cockpit of the J-5.

Then, following the procedures Shen Wang had taught, he checked the instruments, powered on, and started the engine.

Woo—Buzz—!!!

A roar, completely different from the start-up of a propeller plane, emanated from the tail exhaust!

Immediately after, the air intake began to emit a strong suction sound, and the tail exhaust spat out a faint, blue-white heat stream.

This unfamiliar sound and sight made everyone on the ground hold their breath.

The Gao Zilong took a deep breath, followed the steps in his memory, released the brakes, and slowly pushed the throttle lever.

The Fifth Master began to taxi.

The initial acceleration didn't seem much faster than some high-horsepower propeller planes, but soon, as the engine thrust was released, the acceleration increased sharply!

The aircraft sped along the rough runway, sending vibrations, but the landing gear was quite stable.

The taxi distance was much shorter than expected!

Having rushed out only a few hundred meters, the speedometer needle quickly climbed to a value that made the Gao Zilong's heart race.

Subconsciously, following his training instinct, he pulled back on the stick.

The next moment, the nose lifted lightly, and it instantly left the ground!

It took off!

It was more crisp and decisive, and... faster, than any takeoff in a propeller plane!

But this was just the beginning.

The Fifth Master, at a steep angle that propeller planes could never hope to reach, lifted its nose and pierced straight into the firmament!

The roar of the engine became somewhat sharp at high altitude, and the contrail drew a faint white smoke trail across the blue sky.

However, the next second, the speed increased sharply!

Whoosh!

It vanished into the horizon in an instant!

Brigade Commander: ...

Li Yunlong: ...

Zhao Gang: ...

Everyone was stunned!

We knew you were fast, but aren't you a bit too fast?

This had completely exceeded all their imagination based on past experience!

Having fought countless battles, they had never seen such a fast aircraft!

A speed of over 1000 kilometers per hour sounds like one thing, but seeing it is an indescribable shock!

If one had to describe it... how should I put it, Shen Wang felt it was like when he used to ride the high-speed rail, the relative speed when two high-speed trains passed each other with a whoosh.

Even 50% faster than that speed!

Watching the dumbfounded crowd, Shen Wang smiled.

I know you are all shocked, but don't rush to be shocked just yet!

This is just the subsonic Fifth Master; when the airport is built and the supersonic sixth master makes its debut, it won't be too late to be shocked then...