Chapter 1371
Li Aiguo Modifies the Type 59, Yi Zhonghai Suffers a Setback, The Tanks Are Coming
The Type 59 tank is now in mass production.
Right now, the No. 1 Machinery Plant is waiting for the renovation plan.
The modification of the tank's fire control system must be put on the agenda immediately.
Li Aiguo has a lot of work to do.
Fortunately, Chief Engineer Liao was in charge of the electric train project, and the fire prevention task force was also overseen by leaders from relevant ministries, so Li Aiguo didn't have to worry about anything.
After returning to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot workshop, Li Aiguo immediately devoted himself to the renovation work.
Coincidentally, at that time, the only factory in China capable of producing the Type 59 tank was the Baotou No. 1 Machinery Plant.
The engineer sent by the First Machinery Plant to handle the liaison work was Zhang Tan, who was in charge of the design of the new tank.
"I really didn't expect that you would help develop the fire control system for the new tank, and now you're even modifying the Type 59 tank." Zhang Tan seemed a little embarrassed.
Li Aiguo laughed and joked, "Haha, Lao Zhang, let's skip the formalities."
"When I have the chance to go to Baotou on a business trip, just treat me to a whole roasted lamb. That'll be more worthwhile than anything else!"
"Don't worry about that at all! Our No. 1 Machinery Plant raises over a hundred sheep! I'll personally pick them out and make sure you get the tenderest one so you can eat your fill!"
Zhang Tan patted his chest confidently.
It might sound unbelievable to modern people that a tank manufacturing factory kept hundreds of sheep.
But this was the standard practice in many military factories during that era.
When meat supplies are insufficient, these home-raised sheep can be of great use, ensuring the workers' physical strength.
With the assistance of Zhang Tan, a professional engineer who is familiar with the Type 59 tank and has a certain understanding of anti-stabilized fire control, the situation became much better.
Li Aiguo's work is progressing quite smoothly.
The Type 59 tank is considered an old-fashioned tank, and there are many areas that need modification.
such as.
The gun control system only has unidirectional stabilization, and the turret traverse mechanism is a common electric gear mechanism, which has slow response, poor damping, and no high-precision follow-up servo.
The original SH-2 gunner's scope is a mechanical linkage for gun scope synchronization. There is only a small opening for the scope mount on the front left side of the turret, making it impossible to install a mirror platform.
There's also the vehicle's electrical system; the entire vehicle uses 24V DC power, which is simply not enough to power the computer.
Those few vehicles that were temporarily modified are fine as long as they can run and start a few times to get by.
But now we are going to carry out mass production modifications, so it must be sturdy and durable.
The difficulty is on a completely different level.
While Zhang Tan analyzed the situation with Li Aiguo, he kept muttering to himself.
He felt that the leaders above were really asking him a difficult question this time.
How easy is it for an old tree to sprout new buds?
"Patriotism, how about... I submit a report to the higher-ups and ask them to simplify the plan a bit?" Zhang Tan looked at the pile of classified blueprints he had brought and scratched his head in a worried manner.
"No. The current anti-stabilization fire control system is already a simplified version."
If it's further scaled down and simplified, it will seriously affect combat performance; any changes would be pointless.
Holding the blueprints, Li Aiguo wondered how some veteran military enthusiasts in later generations had modified them.
Never underestimate the wisdom of those military enthusiasts.
Their designs are sometimes wildly imaginative, and even somewhat impractical.
However, some of them, after being proven, can solve major problems.
"Our core objective is to ensure the stability of the dual-axis gyroscope on the upper reflector platform."
The original Type 96A's upper rearview mirror was too large and not suitable for the Type 59.
We need to customize a smaller lens body, reducing its width.
Then, the reflector platform must be reduced in weight!
The original cast steel material is absolutely unusable; it's too heavy.
By using high-strength aluminum alloy, the problem of a top-heavy turret can be effectively avoided, ensuring the turret's rotational flexibility.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tan was instantly stunned, his eyes widening like copper bells.
Although all the parameters of these Type 59 tanks are clearly marked on the blueprints.
But Li Aiguo only glanced at it a few times, yet he was able to pinpoint the crux of the matter so accurately, even taking into account the issue of the center of gravity shift.
This profound understanding of armored vehicles is something that ordinary people absolutely cannot achieve!
Could Li Aiguo be a tank design master?
Li Aiguo did have the idea of tinkering with tanks, bringing tanks from later generations to this era.
However, the time is not right yet; we must take it one step at a time.
"Anything else?" Zhang Tan was already impatient. If they followed Li Aiguo's method, they might actually be able to create a perfect fit.
"The power supply problem is also easy to solve. We can use a microcontroller architecture for the fire control computer and pre-program and store various ballistic parameters in it."
This significantly reduces the computational load and also resolves the dependency on high voltage.
"The turret needs to be modified by cutting holes in the front armor and then welding thicker armor steel, which will not affect its protection."
Li Aiguo explained the methods of reform step by step.
This renovation focuses on upgrading the electronic and mechanical systems inside the vehicle.
Li Aiguo did not choose to modify the original 100mm rifled cannon.
After all, if that thing is modified, the corresponding shell production line will also have to be drastically altered, which would be too costly.
The biggest challenge right now is actually how to provide a stable power supply.
Li Aiguo suggested adding a 28V/30A isolated regulated power supply specifically for the anti-gyroscope platform, thermal imaging, and fire control computer.
The entire vehicle also needs to be shielded with wiring.
As the head of the fire prevention task force, fire prevention work cannot be relaxed.
Fire control requires dedicated short-circuit protection circuit breakers and surge suppressors.
Zhang Tan listened, taking notes and nodding as he spoke.
After Li Aiguo finished speaking, he said, "Anything else? Comrade Aiguo, please tell us more!"
Looking at his eager-to-learn expression, Li Aiguo was both amused and exasperated: "Old Zhang, you have to eat one bite at a time."
Let's get these basics sorted out first.
The most urgent task is to quickly translate these ideas into blueprints and complete the renovation drawings.
Then, the most crucial step is to bring over an actual vehicle for hands-on modification and testing!
“That’s easy. I’ll have the factory send a tank over right away.”
Zhang Tan was now burning with rage.
This was a crucial matter concerning whether the Type 59 could be transformed into the Type 59 Master, so he didn't slack off at all and quickly contacted the Baotou No. 1 Machinery Plant.
Upon learning that the modification was likely to be completed, the First Machinery Plant dispatched a new tank without hesitation.
In the days leading up to the arrival of the tanks at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, Li Aiguo and Zhang Tan continued working on the modification design, leaving early and returning late every day.
I have to work until midnight every night.
Considering the safety of the blueprints and Li Aiguo himself.
The Armed Forces Department of Qianmen Locomotive Depot specially dispatched Zhou Ke, an armed affairs officer, and a young security officer to be responsible for picking up and dropping off Li Aiguo.
This was also to protect the top-secret blueprints stored in the briefcase.
The people in the courtyard were quite surprised to see Li Aiguo with two other people.
"Wow, look at that! Aiguo's got such a entourage now, he's got bodyguards following him everywhere he goes, he's really become a big leader!"
"That's right, those two comrades had bulging waists, it looked like they were carrying real weapons!"
Just as everyone was discussing it, Yi Zhonghai limped out of the backyard.
He's had a really bad run of luck these past few days.
I just had a conflict with Jia Zhangshi, and that unreasonable shrew scratched me a few times. I'm burning with anger and have nowhere to vent it.
Yi Zhonghai is now in a dead end.
Seeing that the situation was getting worse, he hoped to go to a third-line factory in the Northwest.
But how could Jia Zhangshi easily let go of this cash cow?
They absolutely refused and would go to the factory to cause trouble every few days.
If he didn't go to the Northwest, he would be extorted by Jia Zhangshi every day, and Yi Zhonghai felt like he was being driven crazy.
At that moment, he was feeling irritable when he looked up and happened to see Li Aiguo walking into the Intermediate People's Court with a large entourage.
In his view, Li Aiguo was just a former motorcycle driver, so why did he not only become a leader but also put on such a big ego?
"Wow, Li Aiguo is really putting on airs now that he's in charge!"
Yi Zhonghai gave a sarcastic snort, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the people in the courtyard to hear.
"Tsk tsk, there are people to serve you every time you go out and come in."
If you didn't know better, you'd think he was some high-ranking official.
Wouldn't this be considered being out of touch with the masses?
Just then, Xu Damao returned from showing movies in the countryside and overheard Yi Zhonghai's words. His eyes lit up and he said, "Uncle, what are you saying?"
Could it be that Li Aiguo was specially assigned security personnel by the factory for work purposes?
She's a very busy person now.
"Work? Could Li Aiguo possibly have a secretary?!" The old man was completely incredulous. In the steel rolling mill, only the factory director and deputy factory director had secretaries.
"What, if you don't believe me, why don't you go up and ask him yourself?" Xu Damao urged with ill intent.
In the past, Yi Zhonghai would never have fallen for it, but at this moment he wished he could tear Li Aiguo apart.
He turned his head and saw that a number of residents had gathered by the pool in the middle courtyard to watch the excitement.
Yi Zhonghai felt he couldn't lose his dignity as an elder, so he blocked Li Aiguo and the other two.
"Aiguo, I know you're a leader now, your status is different from before."
But as one of the older folks in our compound, I've watched you grow up step by step.
Therefore, I cannot stand by and watch you go astray and become detached from the masses!
Yi Zhonghai adopted the demeanor of an elder.
"Out of touch with the masses?" Li Aiguo was somewhat bewildered by this accusation. He stopped and frowned as he looked at Yi Zhonghai.
When Yi Zhonghai saw Li Aiguo stop, he assumed that Li Aiguo was guilty and sneered: "What, now that you're a leader, you can't even lift a briefcase and have to find someone to carry it for you?"
"I'll see today just how heavy your so-called document bag really is!"
As he spoke, Yi Zhonghai, taking advantage of his seniority, actually tried to snatch the metal briefcase from the security officer's hand.
This really stirred up a hornet's nest!
The young security officer was rigorously trained, and his duty was to protect classified documents to the death.
He never imagined that in broad daylight in the courtyard, someone would be so audacious as to openly rob a top-secret document box!
The secret agents were extremely vigilant, almost instinctively.
He suddenly took a half step back to protect the box, while simultaneously reaching his right hand towards his lower back.
In the blink of an eye, a dark Type 54 pistol was drawn by the security officer and pointed at Yi Zhonghai's forehead!
"What are you doing?! You're trying to steal military secrets?!"
"what?!"
Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai turned pale instantly.
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, misunderstanding! Comrade, this is absolutely a misunderstanding!" Yi Zhonghai raised his hands above his head.
"I...I don't know what secrets are inside!"
"Ha, you don't know? You dare to come and rob me so blatantly without knowing my background?!" Zhou Ke was also furious.
That old man is practically courting death.
If the security officer had been even slightly more nervous and pulled the trigger, there would be a corpse lying on the ground right now.
"Tell me the truth, were you sent here from overseas?"
"No, no, absolutely not." Yi Zhonghai shook his head repeatedly in fright.
“I’m really not Dieter, I just wanted to persuade Li Aiguo not to become detached from the masses.”
"Is this the kind of advice you give? Acting rashly without understanding the situation, don't you all agree?"
Xu Damao never expected that the box contained classified materials. Now that he saw Yi Zhonghai had run into trouble, he was overjoyed.
Upon hearing this, the residents began to discuss it amongst themselves.
"Yi Zhonghai only attacked Li Aiguo to maintain his status as an old man."
"That's right! Don't be fooled by Yi Zhonghai's usual righteous words; he's actually full of bad intentions!"
"That's right, after all these years, who in our compound doesn't see through his tricks? This time, he's really messed with us!"
The surrounding whispers felt like needles pricking Yi Zhonghai's face.
He felt like he had really tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead.
Not only did they fail to take the opportunity to humiliate Li Aiguo, but they were also surrounded and stared at like monkeys by all the residents of the compound.
But he doesn't care about saving face anymore.
That's not the key point! The key point is that he still has a real gun pointed at his forehead!
If the clerk's finger were to twitch even slightly, he would be dead; it would be the same as being executed.
Xu Damao got excited: "Execute Yi Zhonghai! Patriotic brother, execute Yi Zhonghai quickly!"
"Xu Damao, you—" Yi Zhonghai wanted to reprimand Xu Damao, but seeing the dark muzzle of the gun, he quickly raised his hand again.
Just then, an older woman rushed over.
"Hey old man, what are you doing? We're neighbors in the same compound, why are you causing trouble again?"
This time, the older woman was really furious.
These past few days, apart from Yi Zhonghai being frequently disciplined by Jia Zhangshi, things have been relatively peaceful at home.
As a result, that old bastard Yi Zhonghai turned around and came to the Intermediate People's Court to provoke Li Aiguo, and even attracted armed security personnel!
However, Yi Zhonghai was someone she had spent half her life with, and she couldn't just stand by and watch him be killed as a scapegoat.
After scolding Yi Zhonghai, the middle-aged woman smiled at Li Aiguo and said, "Aiguo, I'm so sorry!"
You know your uncle well. Although he likes to preach sometimes, he's definitely not a bad person, much less a Dieter!
He's just getting senile and stubborn. Please be magnanimous and don't take it to heart.
"Whether he is Dieter or not, that's possible." Li Aiguo looked at Yi Zhonghai's disheveled appearance and sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.
"As for whether he's a bad person or not, that's hard to say. Some bad people are even harder to guard against than Dieter."
However, Li Aiguo was too lazy to bother with a clown like Yi Zhonghai at this time.
He had important business to attend to and didn't have time to play games with him in the courtyard.
He turned his head, looked at the young security officer, nodded slightly, and said, "Old Liu, put the gun away."
This is indeed an old man in our compound.
He didn't know his own strength and bumped into me; it was just a misunderstanding.
When the security officer, Lao Liu, heard Li Aiguo speak, he looked at Yi Zhonghai with some skepticism.
"With this level of skill and awareness, how dare he act like a big shot?"
"That would only be considered a civilian job. If it were in our military, that action would have been enough to execute him several times over!"
"Yes, yes, comrade is right. I was just getting senile and reckless..."
Yi Zhonghai's face turned pale and then green, but he didn't dare to utter a word and had to bow and apologize.
When he got home, Yi Zhonghai angrily picked up the enamel mug.
"That damned Li Aiguo! He's gotten so arrogant just because he became a lousy leader!"
I'm an elder in our compound, after all! I was just trying to kindly advise him to be mindful of his behavior, what's wrong with that?!
He actually allowed his men to pull out guns and threaten me! It's utterly lawless!
"Alright, alright! Shut up! If you're so capable, go out right now and go to Li Aiguo's house in the Intermediate People's Court to say it to his face!"
What are you trying to prove by showing off to me?
The older woman became impatient.
"I..." Yi Zhonghai was speechless after being rebuked. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word.
Even if he were incredibly bold, he would absolutely not dare to provoke Li Aiguo again.
That box contains military secrets.
If things go wrong, I could really be shot.
After the incident ended, Li Aiguo returned home with Zhou Ke and the security officer.
Chen Xueru wasn't surprised to see Zhou Ke, but her face was full of doubt when she saw the security officer.
Before Li Aiguo could speak, Zhou Ke stepped forward and explained with a smile, "Sister-in-law, don't be nervous."
Patriot is currently leading a military project.
This is Lao Liu. We're here on orders from our superiors to carry out confidentiality and security duties.
After Chen Xueru understood the whole story and learned that the two of them were going to stay there that night, she quickly went to tidy up the guest room.
The Li family now owns many houses.
That evening, Chen Xueru specially killed an old hen and cooked several of her signature dishes, preparing a sumptuous dinner to entertain the two of them.
Although Lao Liu was a bit dull, the atmosphere was quite harmonious thanks to Chen Xueru's warm greetings.
The night was quiet.
Li Aiguo worked until midnight.
After completing the modification of the tank gunner's position, the blueprints were handed to the security officer, who then packed them into a box.
"Old Liu, get some rest."
"Get some rest." Old Liu, the security officer, was a serious person; you couldn't see a trace of expression on his face—it was practically an occupational hazard.
Li Aiguo didn't pay any attention and turned back to his bedroom.
Chen Xueru was still awake, leaning against the headboard reading a book. Hearing Li Aiguo come in, she quickly put down her book and pulled back the covers.
"Staying up so late every day, even the strongest body can't take it."
"Hehe, isn't this the crucial moment?" Li Aiguo crawled into bed, pulled his wife into his arms, and fell into a deep sleep.
ZZzz
Over the next few days, Li Aiguo gradually completed the entire renovation design.
On Monday, as soon as Li Aiguo entered his office, Zhang Tan rushed in.
"Patriot! We've arrived! The Type 59 tanks have arrived! They're now parked at the locomotive depot!"
"Let's go take a look."
Li Aiguo had actually seen the Type 59 rifle before, but he was still quite excited about the one he was going to modify himself.
The two quickly arrived at the locomotive depot's yard.
From a distance, a long freight train could be seen parked on the tracks.
On one of the specially made heavy-duty flatbed wagons, a huge object was parked.
Although it was covered with military green camouflage netting, it was still clearly identifiable as a tank by its long cannon barrel and wide track outline.
By this time, the station area had been filled with railway workers watching the spectacle.
"How did these tanks get here? Is there going to be a war?"
"Are you stupid?! Even if there really is a war, they'd have to transport tanks to the border, not to the heart of Beijing! Use your pig brain!"
"Yeah, right... So what's the point of sending this thing here?"
Just as everyone was puzzled.
Among the crowd, sharp-eyed Yan Jiecheng spotted Li Aiguo approaching.
He thought of the security officer following behind Li Aiguo, and a flash of inspiration struck him, and he instantly understood.
"Look, it's Driver Li. I understand now, Driver Li must be going to tinker with the tank."
Wow.
These words immediately caused an uproar at the scene.
All eyes turned to Li Aiguo, filled with awe.
It's important to understand that in this era, tanks were a symbol of advanced combat power.
Previously, the Qianmen Locomotive Depot workshop produced armed helicopters and small aircraft.
However, the impact of those things on ordinary people is far less shocking than that of a tank!
"Old Cao, you've taken on a fine apprentice! Remarkable, truly remarkable!"
On the periphery of the crowd, Driver Zhao watched this scene and gave Cao Wenzhi a thumbs-up with envy on his face.
"There's nothing I can do, I just have a good eye, haha." Cao Wenzhi said with a hint of pride.
Other train drivers' apprentices, no matter how good they are, can at most pull a few more trips and save some coal.
Can someone tinker with tanks like my apprentice? No!
This is the only one of its kind in the world!
Accompanying the tank were a tank driver and a gunner.
The tank driver, Zhao Xinfeng, was an experienced driver. He jumped off the train and saluted Li Aiguo.
"Report! Zhao Xinfeng, a tank driver from the test unit of Baotou No. 1 Machinery Plant, is reporting for duty!"
"No, no, no, please take a break. I'm not a leader, my name is Li Aiguo, I'm just an engineer who does technical work."
Li Aiguo smiled and returned a slightly awkward greeting, jokingly.
"Comrade Zhao Xinfeng, you must have had a long journey."
"How about I drive this big guy down?"
"This..." Zhao Xinfeng was stunned upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation and embarrassment appearing on his face.
This is no joke! Tank driving is highly specialized and requires extensive specialized training.
Especially now that this tank, weighing tens of tons, is still high on its carriage and has to be driven down via a narrow ramp, it is an extreme test of the driver's skills and mental fortitude.
If you're not careful, the tracks might veer off course, leading to a major accident that could destroy the vehicle and kill people!
Otherwise, the First Machinery Plant wouldn't have gone to such lengths to transfer this outstanding driver from the test unit.
"Old Zhao, don't worry. Comrade Aiguo is an experienced driver. He's driving off here this time for the reform work."
That's absolutely right.
As a designer leading the modification, to truly understand the strengths and weaknesses of a tank and discover problems beyond the data on paper, one must personally get hands-on and experience it from the perspective of the driver and gunner.
Otherwise, any proposed renovation plan would be nothing more than a case of working in isolation.
"Yes! I will obey orders without question!"
Zhao Xinfeng saluted, but he was still worried, so he followed Li Aiguo into the tank driver's cab.
The biggest difference between a tank and a regular car is that it doesn't have a steering wheel.
Its steering is achieved by the driver operating two long control levers on the left and right sides with both hands, controlling the speed difference of the tracks on both sides.
In theory, driving a tank is actually quite simple.
All you need to do is control the clutch and accelerator under your feet, and coordinate with the two levers in your hands.
But to drive it well is a skill in itself.
After Li Aiguo sat in the driver's seat, he first glanced at the instrument panel, then pressed the clutch with his left foot and moved the gear lever to check the clearance.
Zhao Xinfeng nodded in agreement.
The lever gaps on tanks are completely different from those on cars, and there are slight differences between each vehicle.
Many inexperienced drivers blindly start the engine and shift gears without first checking the clearance, which may damage the gears and cause an accident.
It seems that this Director Li is indeed quite capable!
Underneath the vehicle, Cao Wenzhi, along with several experienced drivers, had already installed a ramp.
"Patriotism! The springboard is set! We're all set!" Cao Wen shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Thanks, Master."
Li Aiguo started the tank.
Instead of starting the car immediately, I first engaged first gear, gently pushed the control lever, and moved the tracks forward a small distance, with the leading edge just pressing against the ramp.
He was checking that the springboard was making a secure contact.
When the front of the tank dangled over the edge of the flatbed, the front of the tank naturally sank, and Li Aiguo immediately added fuel.
Don't be afraid at this time; believe that miracles can happen with great effort.
As the first two road wheels land on the ramp, ease off the throttle slightly beforehand to allow the suspension to absorb the impact.
After the first track touched the ground, the tank immediately applied fuel and propelled itself half a meter, coming to a steady stop on the ground.
The whole process was completed in one go and was pleasing to the eye.
"Pretty!"
The experienced drivers around them understood the significance of that maneuver and couldn't help but cheer and applaud.
"Comrade Aiguo truly deserves to be called an outstanding train driver nationwide; he's also quite adept at driving tanks."
Yan Jiecheng watched with envy.
If he were the one driving the tank down, he could brag about it for a lifetime, let alone for a year!
"Let's go, back to the studio."
Li Aiguo opened the cockpit and greeted the experienced drivers.
Zhang Tan and several of his entourage climbed onto the tank using both hands and feet and sat on the turret.
Li Aiguo started the engine again and drove the Type 59 tank back to the workshop of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot with a roar.
Section Chief Xing and his colleagues from the logistics department just delivered the electrical materials.
Before I had taken two steps, I heard a roaring sound.
"What kind of truck is this? It's so loud!" Section Chief Xing thought the truck was disgusting.
"Section Chief, this doesn't look like a truck or a tractor," the logistics staff said, equally bewildered.
At that moment, the ground began to tremble, and the two of them looked up at the same time.
Then a tank came rumbling along, billowing black smoke, its dark cannon pointing straight ahead.
Section Chief Xing's mouth was so wide open it could fit a duck egg.
He rubbed his eyes, looked at Li Aiguo who was peeking out of the cockpit and grinning at him, and muttered to himself, "Well, our Qianmen Locomotive Depot has become a tank factory."
(End of this chapter)