Re: Blood and Iron

It took a few days' worth of effort, but in the end the MG 17, and the BMW VI blueprints were completed. Or at the very least, the initial draft of them was done. Again, with all of Bruno's designs they would need to undergo extensive modifications and testing in order to be fit for service. But at the very least, they could build a functional prototype for both off of these devices.

The reality was that not a single nation had established an air force yet. In fact, the idea of using aircraft for military applications was still several years away. And it was because of this that Bruno wanted to keep the creation of the German Luftstreitkr?fte a secret from the rest of the world for now.

After all, the first use of military aviation in Bruno's past life came in 1909 when the US Army purchased a Wright Model A for use in its signal corps. But that was still several years away. If the other great powers realized that the Germans had begun construction of aircraft for military purposes then it would no doubt result in a major arms race.

Because of this, Bruno wanted to begin development and testing in secret. And he had purchased quite a decent plot of land for this purpose. Not only was his aviation manufacturing plant established on this land, but so was a small airfield which could be used to test the equipment.

This was in addition to the secondary plot of land that Bruno establish a manufacturing plant on for the sake of producing armored vehicles. He had acted swiftly upon gaining the funds to do so from his brother as a reward for giving his family's arms corporation the designs for the next generation of small arms and artillery.

With this money secured, Bruno bought up the land that was ideal for this purpose, and began the construction of these manufacturing plants and testing grounds. By now, after several years had passed, the plants were fully operational, and the staff were employed, trained, and ready to begin working on the secretive projects.

All that was needed was for Bruno to give them the initial drafts of the weapons they intended to perfect and produce.

The first thing that Bruno wanted to produce was an aircraft that fulfilled four distinctive roles in the military. The plane in question could function as either a reconnaissance aircraft, or a dedicated fighter. It could operate as a ground support craft with the use of bombs, or it could be used as a floatplane for naval operations. What role it carried out depended on the variant which was manufactured.

While there were better interwar designs to choose from, Bruno had opted for the versatility of the HE-51 Platform. It was after all an interwar design, with a superior engine, fire control systems that were integrated into the cockpit of the pilot, and was made out of aluminum rather than wood and canvas like the vast majority, if not all the Great War Era fighters had been.

Sure, it wasn't the best option if Bruno was preparing for the Second World War. But the year was 1904. If he was preparing for the Great War, then this was an excellent plane for the job. And it could be outfitted for multiple roles. It was because of this that Bruno was so hellbent on this aircraft.