Volume 1, Chapter 2
Xu Jun was born in a coastal city in China, his family is quite large. However, his family, even his family elders have never had advanced education.
Xu Jun was very smart even from a young age, praised by everyone. His grandfather was a famous historian. However, because his son had no talent for it, he could not pa.s.s down his mantle. Now that he had such a smart and majestic grandchild, he could not help but put his hope on him. The result is that the family carefully cultivated Xu Jun and brought him up with the best education. Through the hard work, and extensive studies in history, astronomy, geography, and others, he became a literary prodigy.
Xu Jun, indeed had a very broad knowledge of all subjects. However, he took a special interest into mechanisms and flight. Dreaming to become a pilot since childhood, but because he was never in great physical shape, he had to shift interests. Turning towards the study of mechanical power and movement. However, he did not expect that an unexpected opportunity would arise. A chance to go study overseas. Finally, as summer vacation approached, he was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with antic.i.p.ation.
Xu Jun proposed to study abroad after graduating from college to his family, and with good reason. The history that his grandfather taught were only words, it would require him to experience it. Because of this, his grandfather approved and as a result, the proposal was unanimously pa.s.sed. Just asking that he calls back every mouth about his safety.
And so two years ago, that is in 2008, he went from Shanghai to Frankfurt, Germany. Majoring in modern history, Xu Jun had a grand experience. Learning his European languages rather quickly and at the end of this year was ready to receive his diploma. He chose the theme of the final paper on World War II military technology. So in order to hands-on knowledge, he apprenticed in a private military museum in the outskirts of Frankfurt.
Although the museum covers a small area, adding up the upper and lower level, it total five. The various exhibits show all kinds of World War II ordinances and other related devices. The head, is a curator of about eighty-years old. Xu Jun guessed from the old man’s walking and demeanor that he should have been in the military at some point. “You can still see the discipline of German soldiers in WWII.” Xu Jun muttered to himself. The museum itself looks nothing like a private museum, the collections are very rich and complete. Some pieces could not be found in large, national museums. The pieces are all mostly in very good shape. So good in fact, that one might think it came straight from the production line. Xu Jun could not help but speculate if the curator was a remnant of the n.a.z.i party.
The museum itself looks nothing like a private museum, the collections are very rich and complete. Some pieces could not even be found in large, national museums. The pieces are all mostly in very good shape. So good in fact, that one might think it came straight from the production line. Xu Jun could not help but speculate if the curator was a remnant of the n.a.z.i party.
Xu Jun started off with just doing some simple archiving and research tasks, and later moved onto some maintenance work. Seeing that the work was being done well, the curator then made him responsible for finishing the maintenance of the broken ordinances and cleaning the warehouse.
The museum itself had a small subsidiary section dedicated to repairing antiques. But it was not limited to World War II items, it also had a private collection of old cars and a.s.sorted weapons. With the opportunity to come in contact with so many rare weapons and old fashion machinery, it was Xu Jun’s dream. Allowing him to deal with the brutal work conditions and boredom.
The old curator might have felt that the kid from the East had some potential to dig out of him, and some energy to squeeze. Letting Xu Jun handle some the heavy equipment and planes on display.
And so by doing this work, Xu Jun found that while the exterior of the plane was shiny and pristine, the interior has long been eroded by time. All kinds of rubber and electrical issues. However, it seems that the mechanical part of the oil seal was not rusted and in working condition. All he had to do was replace a few electrical components and install a new circuit, then it should be flyable. Xu Jun had a deep impression of the level of craftsmanship of German industry at that time. It’s only that the plane would be hard to handle. Especially that Messerschmitt Bf 109, it seems to be an original, probably a 1940 model. Really, what’s this curator’s background to have this kind of stuff?
It’s constantly repair, repair, repair. Xu Jun received the factory’s original production materials and technical drawings. Using those, he thoroughly inspected the plane again. Definitely an antique, although it was archived perfectly, it was still in less than optimal condition.
Because of time and the natural fatigue of metal, it’s structural integrity has declined. Some other parts need to be replaced entirely, such as the battery and circuit. The hydraulic system needed to be re-cleaned, the hydraulic pipe oil seal needed to be completely replaced. A new fuel pump would be needed, the radio would require repair, and some other instruments also needed to be checked. The steel wire is still strong enough, but the bolts need to be all sc.r.a.pped.The engine was acceptable, but it would take a lot of time to clean it up. In conclusion, he should be able to fly it, if he wanted to fix it that is.
In all his business, Xu Jun suddenly noticed that it was already two months. He was so immersed in the frenzy of World War II technology, that he completely forgot his studies. Now, there was no way that he could ask for leave and return next year. The curator was also a bit embarra.s.sed, because for Xu Jun’s work visa, he had signed a two-year contract to hire him as a museum technician.