Japan Space-Time Strange Chronicles

The Irregulars Are Here!

This is this month's post.

It is finally the Grand Lagoan air force's first real battle using modern weapons. You may not agree with some of the scenes... but read it first, will you?

- Kazuhiro Kasami

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Panther, piloting the lead aircraft of the Hayabusa Squadron, belonging to the first fleet carrier Pink Diamond of the Grand Lago Kingdom, was filled with excitement for his first real battle. Moreover, their opponent was the latest state-of-the-art battleship of the Finweden Sea Kingdom, which was said to possess equal or even greater power than their country in the past.

In this world, it was commonly acknowledged that even if you were to strike a state-of-the-art battleship with aerial forces, it was possible to weaken its combat capability by destroying its superstructure, but sinking it was extremely rare. If by any chance they were able to sink it, it would be due to luck, such as piercing through the deck and causing a magazine explosion. However, with the aircraft currently deployed in the Grand Lago Kingdom, even that was possible.

The Kingdom's military had undergone significant changes thanks to the acquisition of numerous new weapons and tactics through exchanges with Japan.

If they could master the enormous warships over 250 meters in length, massive aircraft carriers, and the 'Falcon' deployed as carrier-based aircraft—apparently called 'Shiden' in Japan—they were taught in theory that they would not be at a disadvantage against formidable enemies unless they were significantly outmatched. Today, Panther would pilot the Falcon and face a real enemy for the first time.

"We have always been saved by Japan... but this time, it is our turn to save them!!"

The Pink Diamond, which resembled the aircraft carrier Shinano at first glance, carried 20 Falcons with foldable wings to the rear and 25 biplanes called Hilund. Additionally, the Grand Lago Kingdom's newly developed Hihiirokane-class aircraft carrier was a monstrous vessel capable of carrying over 70 reciprocating and turboprop fighters. Its appearance closely resembled the early version of the Midway-class aircraft carrier built by the United States.

With the much smaller Falcons, which were significantly smaller than jet planes, and the biplanes with inherently smaller wing areas, such as the Hilund, even the early version could accommodate 70 aircraft. In the fashion of the United States during World War II, it wouldn't be a stretch to line up aircraft on the deck, reaching a payload of nearly 100. However, due to the rough nature of the North Sea in this world, it was simply impossible to launch planes from the deck in such waters.

Speaking of which, the former Japanese military employed a similar approach, as they had no choice but to adopt enclosed structures and hangar storage systems when considering operations with aircraft carriers in the turbulent waters near Japan. In many ways, the former military had reasons to lament.

Putting that aside...

"It's in sight..."— "This is Squadron Leader Panther, reporting to the fleet. Confirming the presence of the Finweden battleship attacking the Japanese patrol ship. We will now commence air superiority operations."

At that moment, numerous blips appeared on the onboard radar, indicating the presence of enemy aircraft other than their allies. It seemed that the enemy aircraft carrier, which was in the process of retreating, had launched its planes.

"Hehehe... It's fine to secure it without exerting much effort, but as warriors, we must fight after all," Panther smirked and connected the radio to his wingman.