The sky is clear and cloudless, and it's a great day to fly!

The engines were rumbling, and sitting in the open cockpit, wearing a flight jacket and flight cap, Filkos was in a mood of anticipation.

As one of only three current squadron leaders in the RF20, Filkos has plenty of reasons to be proud. The RF20 Peregrine Falcon is the newest Romanian fighter, which is very different from the Albatross fighter that he flew in the past.

First of all, in terms of speed, the albatross fighter's speed of 440 kilometers per hour is not on the same level as the peregrine RF20 fighter's speed of 596 kilometers per hour. Except, of course, the Peregrine RF20 fighter is equipped with an enviable 1200 hp 12-cylinder liquid-cooled V-engine.

The engine is the latest creation from the National Power Laboratory and weighs 610 kg, measures 1,352 mm in length, 705 mm in width and 1,027 mm in height. The maximum take-off output is 1200 hp, the rated power is 110 hp/4500 m (8 min), the maximum continuous power is 1060 hp/5000 m (30 min), the maximum cruise power is 940 hp/5700 m, and the maximum economic cruising power is 900 hp/5500 m. It can be described as an excellent engine that leads the world in similar products.

Of course, in addition to the powerful engine, the excellent aerodynamic structure of the Peregrine RF20 fighter also provides great help.

The Peregrine RF20 fighter adopts a semi-spindle-shaped nose, which is different from the flat and thick nose of most current aircraft, with good rectification effect and low resistance. The engine was mounted on a fire-resistant load-bearing wall behind the support frame, behind which was the middle and rear fuselage of a semi-monocoque structure. The wing adopts an elliptical plane shape of a cantilever lower wing, which has good aerodynamic characteristics and a large lift-to-drag ratio.

In addition, the cockpit of the aircraft adopts a streamlined integrated cover, which improves the pilot's vision and is conducive to his operation. Of course, as the latest Romanian fighter, the firepower is also extremely strong. In addition to two 20 mm cannons in the belly (60 rounds each), it was also equipped with two 12.7 mm large-caliber machine guns (280 rounds each) in the wings.

Moreover, because the peregrine falcon RF20 has a high demand for range because it is facing the threat of the Soviet Union, it has made sufficient consideration in the development of the voyage. Its maximum range is 1200 km, with an auxiliary fuel tank of 1500 km.

Such a powerful firepower is enough to help Romania establish its position in the current world.

Therefore, the pilots who flew these new aircraft were the current elite of the Romanian Air Force, and Filcos, as the squadron leader, was even better at this. In the local war in Luosu, he piloted an albatross fighter and shot down a total of 4 fighters, 1 bomber, 1 reconnaissance aircraft, and was more than enough as a squadron leader.

You must know that at that time, the local war in Luosu can be described as more wolves and less meat. Many people flew the fighter plane for a few laps and could not see a single Soviet plane, and he was able to get so many results, of course, it can be described as good luck.

And this time the transfer of their squadron to Spain, with the clear intention of testing the capabilities of the new fighter. An aircraft that has not been tested on the battlefield cannot be a good aircraft.

And this time their mission was very simple, which was to protect the bombers of the National Army from bombing the government of Madrid. Although the two sides entered the stalemate phase, everyone knew that this was just a preparation for the next battle. And in order to delay the deployment of government forces in Madrid, aerial bombardment is an inevitable choice.

This time it was a bombing of a key traffic point outside Madrid, and of course such a dangerous mission would inevitably require the most elite protection. And in the Spanish battlefield, where is there a more elite fighter squadron than the Fircos squadron?

With the command from the conning tower, Filkos flew off the runway with his 11 subordinates on his plane, and then they needed to meet the bomber group they needed to protect.

After arriving at the designated assembly airspace, a large group of bombers was slowly flying here. Of course, this slowness is the result seen in the eyes of Filcos, in fact, this group of bombers consisting of BR.20s is not slow at all. Its maximum flight speed reached 440 km/h, which is comparable to the speed of many modern fighter jets. Of course, this is when the weight is empty, and the fully loaded BR.20 naturally cannot reach this speed.

Moreover, this is a new Italian bomber that was only qualified this year, so it can be seen that the Italian government has not been unreasonable in order to support Franco's national army.

After meeting with the bomber group, Filcos and his subordinates flew 12 RF20 Peregrine Falcon fighters to protect the bomber group and fly towards the target.

…………

Located twenty kilometres west of Madrid, the small town of Flexie is a major point connecting the Barcelona railway. A large number of trains carrying various supplies replenished the Madrid front by rail with supplies and troops to defend against a possible attack by the National Army. Because Madrid is too important, the government cannot afford to lose the capital.

Today is a little different, and the soldiers and civilians in the town hear a buzz from far and near.

"Look at the enemy planes coming."

A sharp-eyed government soldier said out loud what he saw.

"Quick, air defense ready. Calling the rear, we were subjected to massive air strikes, the number of enemy aircraft was in the range of about 40, the vast majority of which were bombers. ”

The officer, holding the binoculars, saw more detail.

As the air defense sirens sounded, the soldiers and civilians on the ground immediately scattered and fled, and everyone was trying to find cover. At the same time, many people are praying to God to protect themselves from harm.

Without giving the town's soldiers and civilians much chance to prepare, a group of 24 BR.20 bombers immediately pounced viciously.

They sadistically dropped bombs on major targets such as train stations, barracks, warehouses, and the railway bridge outside the town became their main target. However, the government forces did not have many options in the face of the bombardment, and a small number of anti-aircraft weapons were lost in less than five minutes of firing.

And the lack of cover from anti-aircraft weapons made the bombers even more unscrupulous. The town is like a hell on earth, and the main targets of the railway station, military camp, warehouse, etc., are even more eye-catching.

The railway bridge outside the town was also broken into two sections in the round of bombing, and I am afraid that it will not be repaired at all in a few months.

As for the escort fighters led by Filcos, they circled boredly at high altitude, watching the bombers wreak havoc below.

It's boring, it's boring. God, please let me see the enemy planes.

That's what most of the Felkos squadron members think.

Maybe God couldn't stand it because Filkos was too bored, and after a while, Filkos heard the excited voices of his team members on the radio.

"Squadron leader, an unidentified group of aircraft has been spotted on the left. Its number is around 18. ”

The message coming from the radio immediately lifted Filcos's spirits. He looked to his left, where nearly twenty small black dots appeared.

Filkos hurriedly raised the 8x telescope issued to him to look, and a stubby monoplane appeared in his eyes. This is the latest Soviet Il-16 fighter, which Filkos has seen in the Air Force, and this fighter was only introduced by the Soviet Union in 1935.

And Filkos was not afraid of this at all, and immediately gave the order. "Deputy Squadron Leader Berkeley, you lead the third squad to continue covering, and I will lead the first and second squadrons to meet the incoming enemy planes."

"Understood."

After receiving a response from the deputy squadron leader, Filkos continued to give orders. "The first and second squads follow me and shoot them down."

Suddenly, there was a cheer of ghosts crying and wolf howls from the radio.

Seeing the elated voices of the young men, a smile appeared on the corner of Filcos's mouth.

I saw that 8 peregrine RF20 fighters in the sky quickly pounced on the incoming enemy planes, and the Yi-16 fighters, which had a numerical advantage, were naturally not afraid and immediately met them.

As if it was a cheetah that saw its prey, both flew towards each other!

Now, the two sides were head-on, and Filkos had no fear, he stabilized the plane, stared closely at the sight in front of him, firmly encased the plane in front of him, and then pressed the button on the operating stick.

And then it's time to show the firepower of both. The two 20 mm cannons and two 12.7 mm large-caliber machine guns of the Peregrine RF20 fighters fired lethal bullets at once, while the four 7.62 mm machine guns of the I-16 were no match at all. The engine was stopped directly on the spot, and a puff of smoke came out of it, and the plane fell to the ground at a large angle without control.

And the skilled Filcos even had time to find another opponent, only to see him put another I-16 into the sight and open fire again.

"Haha, another one."

Filcos happily counted the results himself.

By the time Filcos and his subordinates were over, there were eight RF20 Peregrine Fighters, except for one with a damaged wing that had suffered trauma. The Yi-16 behind him was 7 less planes, and one was obviously damaged. Now the number is rapidly approaching.

The reason for such a result, in addition to the difference in the quality of the pilots, is also the difference in the firepower and protection of the aircraft. Not to mention the firepower, the power of two 20 mm cannons and 12.7 mm machine guns is not comparable to four 7.62 mm caliber machine guns. And in terms of protection, in order to increase the efficiency of head attacks, the RF20 fighter also added armor in the nose. In the face of new armor with the same protection capability as 14 mm, the 7.62 caliber machine gun is so weak.

The next thing to say is to continue to pull up and dive to attack. Altitude is very important in air combat, and it just so happens that the rate of climb and altitude of the RF20 fighter is incomparable to that of the I-16. In the face of the RF20 fighter's ability to reach a maximum altitude limit of 12,000 meters, the Yi-16 is only 8,270 meters where is the opponent.

At this time, the anxious voice of the deputy squadron leader of Berkeley came from the Filcos radio. "16 enemy aircraft were spotted on the right side, and visually it was the enemy's Yi-15 fighter."

Hearing the words of his deputy squadron leader, Filkos still didn't understand. I saw him immediately order. "Tell the bomber group to stop the bombing immediately and evacuate first, and we will take cover."

In fact, there was no need for them to tell them, the commander in charge of directing the bombing had already dropped all the bombs as fast as possible, and immediately turned on the maximum speed and left. Anyway, their basic goal has been achieved, and they are still here waiting for the enemy to catch them.

As for Filcos, he began to climb with his subordinates, using the height and speed to get rid of his opponents. Although the Spanish government's air force commander wanted to keep them all, it was impossible to face a fighter with superior performance.

As for chasing the bombers, the BR.20 bomber, which dropped bombs at speeds of up to 440 km/h, was also out of reach. Moreover, there are RF20 fighters in the sky, and they dare not expose the tail to the other party, but they have never heard of fighters loading weapons on the tail.

The first battle in which Romania participated ended in such an imperfect way, and although the result was not perfect, it still worked. At least the next time the aircraft of the Government Air Force, in the face of the RF20 fighters, it will be time for a headache.