As the Sanka was being pulled out, all of a sudden, there was a ground tremor. There seemed to be an explosion nearby. A little later, a wind mixed with sand hit the airframe.
I looked at the sky.
Two aircrafts.
Both were twin-engined attack aircrafts.
Another explosion echoed. This time, I saw a column of smoke rising into the sky. It was close. Maybe 200 meters away.
“I’m starting the engine,” I shouted. “Connect the backup battery!”
I jumped onto the main wing and got into the cockpit. I hurriedly put on the seatbelt. I was not wearing a helmet or goggles, but that did not matter. I looked up at the sky. One attack aircraft. Its altitude is 300. Next time, it’ll target this place. We can’t escape from the attack. I have no choice but to count on the fluctuation in wind speed.
I heard another engine sound. I saw a biplane leaving for the runway. It seemed to be taking off.
I turned on the main switch. As I suspected, the battery indicator was pointing at the yellow condition. It won’t have the strength to turn the engine over and over again. I heard a noise and looked back. It seemed that a spare battery was connected to the jack. The man tapped the fuselage to let me know.
I gave the signal to start the engine.
I turned on the starter.
A dull sound. Then, before long, the propeller started turning.
No explosion.
I stopped it once.
I waited for the voltage to come back up.
Please, let the engine start this time.
Starting the engine.
The propeller was turning.
A dull explosion.
The airframe shook.
No luck.
A roaring sound. It was close by.
Is it the ground, or the aircraft that is shaking?
Sand filled the air around me, and the sight quickly turned into complete whiteout. I could not see anything. It’s still shaking.
The vibration persisted.
The engine was running.
I looked back, but could not see the propeller.
I pushed up the throttle just slightly.
After a delay, the engine speed followed suit. It was still running at about 500 revolutions per minute.
Still, it was somehow managing to turn.
I could somehow see outside through the canopy.
Flames to my right. Something seemed to be burning a little ahead to the front.
The engine revved up to 900.
The runway was appearing in sight.
The view was clear in the direction. I wondered if that biplane had taken off safely.
The screen of dust disappeared, and I could see the sky. I saw a single aircraft image moving away to the right and out of sight. Where is the other aircraft? Probably, it is chasing the biplane.
How many bombs does it have? When it runs out of them, it will shoot at us with machine guns. But, I believe they aren’t expecting this plane to fly.
I checked the oil pressure gauge.
I locked the canopy. I signaled to the men outside with my hand.
As if to make an escape, they were moving away.
I pushed up the throttle. The value of the revolutions per minute was 1,500. The airframe shook.
I released the brakes.
Switching the fuel route.
Setting the trimming.
The aircraft started to move forward slowly.
The path to the runway was grassy and sloping. My Sanka ran down the slope as if it were rolling out.
Braking once. Then, changing the direction.
I opened the throttle further more.
The revolution rate increases.
It is breathing.
Yes, I know this.
This is the habit of this engine.
Okay, it keeps revolving.
Slowly, it was revving up again.
Left aileron up, right aileron down. Then, deflecting them the other way.
I deflected the canard wing elevators up and down.
The revolution rate was reaching 2,000.
Let’s go.
The front is clear.
What about the sky above?
The black smoke continued to rise from the left.
The white smoke had gone away now.
The Sanka started running.
An attack aircraft was coming in from the right at a low altitude.
I pushed the throttle up further more.
It fired its machine guns at me.
Rows of columns, caused by the dirt kicked up by the strafing bullets, appeared on the ground. The Sanka was passing through them.
Acceleration.
Go.
The airframe vibrated.
The runway surface was uneven.
The condition was unsuitable for the Sanka’s landing gears.
I persevered.
I looked behind me to the left.
The attack aircraft, which had passed me by, was making a turn. It was trying to get behind me. If I get shot from behind, it’s over.
The engine was finally revving up smoothly.
I could hear nothing anymore.
Vibration.
It had become one with my body.
I saw a path in the sky in front of me.
I grasped the air.
Pulling the control stick for the elevators.
Quietly, my feet left the ground.
Tranquility.
Smooth.
Then, the wings glided as if they were licking on the air.
I held the nose of the aircraft with the elevators. I kept it that way until it gained speed.
The ground was still close. Keep the low pass flight all the way.
I was flying toward the river. Lowering the altitude further, I approached the surface of the water.
The altitude of 3 meters.
Behind me, the enemy aircraft was at 200.
My Sanka was picking up speed.
It was getting rather quiet.
The one is ready to shoot at me.
Watch me.
I pulled the control stick to deflect the elevators.
My Sanka quietly pitches upward.
Ascending.
The opponent also pointed up.
It shot bullets at me, but I was positioned higher than that.
Ascending.
It passed underneath my aircraft, to be in front of me.
While rolling, I confirmed the situation.
Engine running slow.
Immediate stalling.
My Sanka fell to the right. That’s this habit.
The airframe was shaken, and the nose of the aircraft pointed down at once.
I am falling.
High throttle.
Half flaps. Air brakes.
Elevators for pitching upward.
Bringing back the flaps.
With the ailerons, banking to the left.
Adjustment to the right with the rudders.
The enemy aircraft was approaching right in the front.
Disengaging the safety lock of the machine gun.
Oil pressure check.
I rolled to the right once, and located the other aircraft.
I got closer to it.
I positioned myself between the exhaust streaks from the twin engine formation.
Fire.
Escaping to the left.
First, one down.
Climbing up. Where is the other one?
I see you there.
The enemy aircraft is burning beside me. The right engine is catching fire and starting to tilt in that direction.
High throttle.
My Sanka soared while rolling.
Aerially light.
In no time at all, I went up to by the altitude of 300 meters.
While flying inverted, I checked the enemy coordinates.
I could not locate the biplane.
Three plumes of smoke were rising from the ground.
I noticed the one I shot down earlier plunging to the other side of the river.
There were four smoke columns.
Is there only one enemy flying?
Mine is a fighter aircraft. Attack planes are no match for me.
I was descending toward the direction of the next enemy aircraft.