After praising and affirming the government officials in Ploiesti, Edel then visited other factories in Ploiesti.
During the inspection of the machinery factory, he affirmed the contribution of the diesel engines and tractors they produced to Romania. He also praised the director of the machinery factory, Podoslicu, saying that he was very capable, and as the son-in-law of the director and the director of the establishment workshop
Sodaval was also honored to participate in the procession to welcome the Crown Prince. However, as a small workshop director, of course he could not talk to the Crown Prince. He could only stand at the end of the procession and look at the Crown Prince who was about the same age as himself.
.
Edel then went to refineries and oil extraction sites to learn about the current mining and refining situation of Romanian oil. In order to encourage the private economy, he also inspected several private supporting factories. After inspecting these enterprises, Edel
He also went deep into the people to understand the current income situation of residents, and also checked the situation of local farmers, which made his image of being close to the people more solid.
This inspection of Ploiesti took six days. It was not until Edel received a telegram from Hoffman saying that the armored vehicle had been developed that he left Ploiesti by car and planned to go to Canton.
Stancha looks at these armored troop seeds.
Sitting on the train to Constanta, Edel could hardly remember how many times he had been to Romania's largest port city. Usually he would go to Constanta in a few months, but Ploiesti was not comparable to it at all.
possible.
After Edel took the train to Constanta, he went to the Volkswagen test track without stopping. Looking at a different-looking armored car full of rivets and punk atmosphere, he couldn't help but ask.
"This is the armored vehicle you developed?"
The three people in charge of research and development were a little confused when faced with the crown prince's question, but Herc, the leader of the three, stepped forward to answer Edel's inquiry.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Seeing the questioning eyes of the Crown Prince, Herc told him truthfully what he knew. "We built this armored vehicle in a reasonable manner in accordance with the requirements of the drawings. Except for replacing welding with rivet connections, there are no major differences with the drawings.
respectively. However, there are good reasons for us to replace welding with rivets. Welding is not suitable for military products now."
After hearing Herke's answer, Edel couldn't help but look at Major Hoffman. Facing the Crown Prince's questioning look, Major Hoffman explained nervously. "Your Highness, the drawings you gave me, I am Zhonghe.
This design was chosen after considering various factors.”
"What considerations?"
After hearing Major Hoffman's explanation, Edel also wanted to hear his explanation.
Seeing that the crown prince was not angry because of his unauthorized modifications, Hoffman expressed his thoughts. "Your Highness, among the several drawings you gave me, two of the models are too expensive to process now and are completely unsuitable for today.
usage of."
After speaking, he took out the Sd Kfz 221 and Sd Kfz 234 wheeled armored vehicles sketched by Edel. If these two armored vehicles were welded in appearance, there would be no problem, but now they are replaced with rivets, which he estimates will increase the cost.
"Of the other two vehicles, this armored vehicle is smaller and does not fit into the five-ton heavy truck chassis we are using now."
Major Hoffman took out the sketch of the Japanese Type 92 armored vehicle drawn by Edel and told it to the crown prince. Edel nodded and told him to continue.
Hoffman took out the drawing of the M8 armored vehicle given by the crown prince and continued. "In the end, this drawing is the most suitable for the current chassis, but I think its round turret is cast in one piece, which will increase our cost, so I chose
The turret from this drawing was enlarged and the hull from this drawing was added.”
Looking at the drawings of the M8 armored vehicle and the Type 92 armored vehicle held by Major Hoffman, Edel realized that the armored vehicle in front of him was really a combination of these two drawings.
After listening to Major Hoffman's explanation, Edel felt that his previous considerations were a bit too forward. Thinking that the drawings he drew were all models widely used in World War II, Edel felt that he was too impatient, even if it was
If it can be built, it is estimated that the price will be high, which will be a burden on the current Romanian army.
Edel thought about this and said to Major Hoffman sincerely. "It is true that my expectations are too high. Your modification is very reasonable. Just do as you say."
Then he learned the specific data of this armored vehicle and heard that this armored vehicle was not afraid of shooting from various firearms. Whether it was the Maxim or the large-caliber machine gun currently equipped by various countries, there was nothing that could be done against this armored vehicle. But that was not the case.
It is said that it has no weak points. This armored vehicle is very afraid of artillery attacks. No matter what kind of artillery it is, even if it does not hit directly as long as it lands nearby, it will easily fall into the crater and become unable to move.
These shortcomings have been reflected in previous tests, so this kind of armored vehicle is completely unsuitable for attacking enemies who have positions. And chasing enemies can easily be blocked by damaged roads. Only when defending, rely on the advantage of good roads.
Only then can this kind of armored vehicle take full advantage of itself.
After listening to the explanation of this armored vehicle, Edel knew that this was the result of the wheeled armored vehicle's poor adaptability to the road. He asked Major Hoffman. "In the face of this situation, do you have any solutions?
?”
"Your Highness, I think that at present, this kind of armored vehicle can only be used in small-scale battles, or urban defense warfare is its best use."
Facing Major Hoffman, Edel felt that he needed to point him in the right direction.
"Have you ever considered replacing the wheels with tracks to improve its adaptability to terrain?"
Faced with the Crown Prince's suggestion, Major Hoffman had thought about it before. Using caterpillar tracks could indeed increase the vehicle's adaptability, but he had seen tracked vehicles traveling at a speed that was too slow and did not meet his requirements for a rapid advance.
Major Hoffman expressed his thoughts. "Your Highness, I have considered it before, but the track speed is too slow. It can only run 20 kilometers per hour on the road. If it can reach 15 kilometers per hour in the wilderness,
They are all considered fast. Moreover, tracked vehicles have many parts and are prone to malfunctions, so maintenance is also a big problem."
After hearing what Major Hoffman said, Edel felt the need to change his thinking. "Major Hoffman, these problems are actually easy to solve. The situation where the tracked armored vehicle is too slow is not a problem at all. He is at least better than
The infantry is fast and can adapt to complex terrain, which provides conditions for its large-scale use. At least it can provide mobile firepower points for soldiers on the front line, and its strong armor can also provide cover. As for the tracked armored vehicle parts, it is too
If something goes wrong easily, more maintenance personnel can be arranged to take care of it."
After hearing the Crown Prince's explanation, Major Hoffman was a little moved. Now wheeled armored vehicles are subject to various restrictions that affect their performance. If most of these restrictions on replacing wheels with tracks disappear, then it can
Provides conditions for large-scale application.
Thinking of these, Major Hoffman said excitedly, "I will mainly study the possibility of replacing wheeled armored vehicles with tracks."
Hearing that Major Hoffman had been changed by him, Edel was afraid that he was only waiting for the tracked armored vehicle. "But this kind of armored vehicle is not bad, you can buy some first. Get familiar with how to use it first, and you can also train it."
Its use of tactics, etc.”
"We will first familiarize ourselves with the use of this armored vehicle to provide experience for the army's large-scale equipment."
After talking with Major Hoffman, Edel thanked the three technicians responsible for research and development one by one for their hard work. Among them, Wang Chaoqiang's typical oriental face had long attracted his attention, so with the same three
During the conversation with the R&D staff, he specifically asked about their home address. When he found out that Wang Chaoqiang shared the same country as himself in his previous life, he even showed some concern.
